“The industry is definitely changing, with firms transitioning from Boomer ownership to Millennial ownership. I’ve seen that happen with a few friends I know through Foodservice Consultants Society International.” Eric Norman, FCSI Principal/Vice President
United We Stand
Puyallup, Wash.
A succession plan built on the foundation of a merger is a notable approach, particularly when it leads one father to entrust the family legacy to the hands of another man’s son. In what was billed as an acquisition but was, more effectively, a merger, father and son Ed and Eric Norman folded their company, MVP Services Group, into Clevenger Associates in 2017. In early 2025, Eric Norman and Brent Hall, FCSI, became sole owners of Clevenger upon the retirement of founder Tony Clevenger.
“MVP was a small company, and it’s getting more difficult for small businesses to absorb the rising costs of technology, among other expenses,” Eric Norman says. “We started to look at opportunities that would allow my father to ease into retirement while providing me with a leadership role without maintaining a sole proprietorship. We asked ourselves what that future might look like.”
It was a gradual process. The Normans spoke to a few companies, but as Eric became friends with Brent Hall, who was a part of Clevenger (and married to the founder’s granddaughter), all the principals eventually determined that coming together would be a good fit.
Two families officially united in one company. “As part of the merger agreement, my father and I each got a small portion of stock — and the assurance of an eventual succession,” Eric Norman says.
The change in leadership has reignited the company. “There’s a lot of excitement about having a younger generation coming in as management,” says Eric Norman. “We’re identifying new employee benefits, such as work-from-home policies.”
As Eric Norman and Hall settle into their new roles, they will continue to push at the company’s edges to see what else can and should be updated (technology, for sure) and what should be retained. “Tony started the company 50 years ago, and the Clevenger brand is a legacy name with a lot of recognition in the marketplace. That’s not going to change,” says Eric Norman.
A Unique Conundrum
In a survey of 1,800 entrepreneurs across 10 global markets, respondents say:
78%: It’s important to keep the business in the family and preserve its legacy
BUT
44%: I don’t want my children to have the stress of managing a family business
Source: HSBC Global Private Banking: Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2024
