DC Family Business Forum

About DC Family Business Forum

The mission of the DC Family Business Forum is to promote and foster the growth and ongoing success of family businesses through learning, sharing and creating effective solutions regarding the critical issues and challenges confronting family businesses in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Presentations and seminars are supported entirely by multi-disciplinary sponsors who are involved in working with family businesses as part of their routine practice.

Attendance to lectures and presentations sponsored by the DC Family Business Forum is offered by invitation only to a limited number of family-owned businesses. Participation in activities is restricted to invitees and sponsors. An invitation is extended by sponsors to family businesses who have the ability to benefit from and participate in the lecture series. Invited businesses will generally have a family member with controlling interest in the business and at least one family member currently employed in the business.

Sponsors

Gail Merriam

Gail Merriam joined the Carl Freeman Companies, a local real estate development family, in 2000 before establishing the Freeman Family Office in 2002. In this role, Gail oversees the day-to-day accounting, cash management and financial planning of family members, numerous trusts and investment entities, and their latest endeavor, a B&B and events venue located at the historic Tusculum Farm, the family’s 550 acre property in Laytonsville, Maryland. Gail works closely with the family’s attorneys, tax team and investment advisors to manage the family’s finances and to plan for future generations. Gail started her career in the audit practice of Arthur Andersen before joining Turner Broadcasting, where she headed the budget and financial reporting group of Turner’s International division.