Leadership & Legacy Series

Since 2012, the Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards (VLFEA) have celebrated enterprises committed to excellence and sustainability. In 2025, we continue the spirit of the Awards with a Leadership & Legacy Series, that shines a spotlight on companies that exemplify vision, resilience, and impact in their industries and communities. This year’s theme, Celebrating Longevity, honors organizations whose enduring success reflects not only strong leadership but also the lasting legacies they continue to build. Join us as we recognize these outstanding companies and the lessons they offer for generations to come.

VLFEA 2024 Winners Group

2025 Leadership & Legacy Series

Celebrating Longevity
Friday, September 26, 2025
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
Kalkin Hall and Ifshin Hall, Grossman School of Business

A special thank-you to our sponsors, Foley Inc. and the Paquin Family.

For any questions about VLFEA, please email us.

This year, Grossman School will be hosting a Leadership & Legacy Series Panel celebrating the theme of longevity, and the milestone anniversaries of the following moguls of family enterprise:

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Rutland, VT – 2023 | Vermont Legacy Award Winner | 50 Years of Sustainable Innovation

Celebrating 50 Years of Environmental Leadership: For half a century, Casella has been more than a business—it's been Vermont's partner in building a sustainable future. From pioneering waste solutions to championing environmental stewardship, this enterprise has proven that prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand. Here's to the next 50 years of innovation, growth, and protecting the Green Mountain State we all love.

 von Trapp Lodge, Stowe, VT – 2019 | Multi-Generation Global Family Enterprise Award Winner | 75 Years of Austrian Hospitality

Celebrating 75 Years of Mountain Magic: From the Austrian Alps to the peaks of Stowe, the von Trapp family has created a legacy of warmth, tradition, and unforgettable experiences. For three-quarters of a century, guests have found more than accommodation here—they've discovered a piece of Austria in Vermont's heart. As we celebrate 75 remarkable years, we look forward to countless more seasons of hospitality, music, and mountain memories.

Tauck, Wilton, CT – Pioneering Co-Founders of UVMs Family Business Initiative | 100 Years of World-Class Adventure

Celebrating a Century of Family Excellence: One hundred years ago, the Tauck family began a journey that would take millions of travelers around the world. Through four generations of leadership, including Chuck and Robin Tauck's continued dedication to excellence, this family business has redefined what it means to explore the world with purpose and style. A century of trust, innovation, and unforgettable journeys—with endless horizons still ahead.

 

VLFEA Fast Facts

  • Established in 2012
  • 50 winners altogether which, combined, make up:
    • 3,233 years in existence
    • > $6 billion annual sales
    • 27, 750 employees
  • Part of the UVM Grossman School of Business Family Business Initiative

Congratulations to the 2024 VLFEA Winners!

Multi-Generation Family Enterprise: Cascade Engineering

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Cascade Engineering receives the Multi-Generation Family Enterprise award at the 2024 Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards

Cascade Engineering was presented the Multi-Generation Family Enterprise award by Jen Fleckenstein, Clearwater Filtration. Cascade Engineering is a large tonnage plastic injection molding manufacturing company based in Grand Rapids, MI that specializes in producing a wide range of products using sustainable materials and practices. Founded in 1973 by Fred Keller, it has since grown into a diverse business with operations in multiple industries, including automotive, waste and recycling, office furniture, and other custom applications. Cascade Engineering is known for its Triple Bottom Line philosophy and commitment to environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement. 

Multi-Generation Family Enterprise: Bead Industries, Inc.

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Bead Industries, Inc. received the Multi-Generation Family Enterprise award at the 2024 Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards

Bead Industries, Inc. was presented the Multi-Generation Family Enterprise award by Molly Heaney, JM Huber Corp. In early 1910, Calvin Bryant developed the first electric light pull. He and his son Gerald formed the Bead Chain Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1914. From developing “dog tag” chains for the US and Canadian armed forces to being at the forefront of the development of fluorescent lighting, today Connecticut-based Bead Industries, Inc. manufactures end-to-end, wire, and tubular connector pins for the automotive, medical, communications, and lighting industries.

Global Multi-Generation Enterprise: Supreme Creations

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Supreme Creations received the Global Multi-Generation Enterprise award at the 2024 Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards

Supreme Creations was presented the Global Multi-Generation Enterprise award by Archana Chaudhary, Jaipur Rugs, India. Headquartered in the UK, Bags of Ethics/Supreme Creations has been a pioneer in manufacturing reusable products for over 25 years. Known for producing reusable packaging and merchandise for leading brands like Nike, Dior, and Sephora, among others. With a mission to reduce single-use plastic, the company eliminated 30+ billion single-use plastic bags and expanded into reusable merchandise across food, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle categories. Dr. R. Sri Ram, founder of the business, works alongside his daughter Smruti Sriram, CEO and part of the international management team.

Vermont Legacy Enterprise Award

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OnLogic received the Vermont Legacy Enterprise Award at the 2024 Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards.


OnLogic was presented the Vermont Legacy Enterprise Award by Paul Ligon, Casella Waste Systems, recognized for its commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and the State of Vermont. OnLogic is a global industrial computer manufacturer that designs highly configurable, solution-focused computers engineered for reliability at the IoT edge. Their systems operate in the world’s harshest environments, empowering customers to solve their most complex computing challenges, no matter what their industry. Founded in 2003, the company has offices in the U.S., the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan and Malaysia. OnLogic has helped more than 70,000 customers worldwide advance their ideas with computers that are designed to last, built to order and delivered in days. Learn more at onlogic.com/company or on youtube.com/onlogic.

Award Winners by Year

1st Generation Family Enterprise

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These are start-ups or purchased firms with multiple family members in ownership or operations.

Multi-Generation Family Enterprise

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Family firms that have completed at least one generational transfer within the family.

Multi-Generation Global Enterprise

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Family firms that have completed at least one generational transfer within the family.

Vermont Legacy Enterprise

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Vermont based business recognized for outstanding and long lasting success.