Austin Family Business Program

Family matters. Business counts.

The Austin Family Business Program (AFBP) helps owners, managers, successors, non-family employees, and service providers understand challenges and opportunities that accompany the growth of family and closely held businesses.

Established in 1985, the AFBP is the second oldest family business program worldwide and the largest of its kind in the Northwest. Practical business education* is delivered throughout the Northwest in workshops and seminars. Family businesses learn to identify challenges, evaluate options, formulate plans, and take action in a world of change. Academic education in family business management is offered on the Oregon State University main campus at the College of Business. Research in the fields of family business and entrepreneurship is also a top priority of the program. For more information, visit the website at www.familybusinessonline.org.*

The annual Excellence in Family Business Awards* recognizes the positive contributions and best practices of family and closely held businesses. Awards are given in several size categories to reflect the diversity of the Northwest economy. Excellence in Family Business Award recipients are honored at a dinner reception each fall.

West Coast Bank is proud to be the lead sponsor of AFBP.

"West Coast Bank is committed to serving the needs of business owners in ways that create value-added benefits." Says Xandra McKeown, West Coast Bank Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking. "Since a vast majority of businesses are family businesses or closely held partnerships, helping them succeed is vital to the economy of our state and region. And the Austin Family Business Program partnership is a practical and proven way to do just that."

* Although this site provides you with links to other sites of potential interest, West Coast Bank does not in any way guarantee that the list of links is accurate, comprehensive or up to date. West Coast Bank does not have control over the content of the linked sites, and does not recommend or endorse any third party sites or the organizations they represent. Your use of third party sites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use at those sites.