Michael Mitchell, the new executive director of Elizabethtown College’s S. Dale High Center for Family Business (HCFB), began his duties on March 19. As the HCFB director, Mitchell hopes to incorporate his experience owning and managing a multigenerational family business.
He is an Etown alumnus who graduated in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Mitchell believes his return to the Etown family will be a good fit for both himself and the College. Since earning his degree, he has worked for several Fortune 100 businesses and has recently helped grow Amelia’s Grocery Outlet with his father and brother-in-law.
“Etown taught me long ago that the most important thing is to do whatever you do with a focus on the highest ethical values and with a service mindset,” Mitchell said. “Etown graduates bring the college’s motto, ‘Educate for Service,’ to life every day. I want to help family businesses protect and develop their unique cultures of family values in my new role.”
The HCFB conducted a rigorous search while evaluating candidates for the executive director position. Mitchell said that the process to apply and interview was as extensive as what he has experienced at Fortune 100 companies: “There were several rounds of interviews, both with individuals and with groups; dinners; reference checks and even a case study. It was actually kind of fun, and I had an opportunity to meet a lot of great people from the College and the [program].”
Representatives from the College, a group of business people, and family business owners created the HCFB in 1995. The HCFB’s mission is to strengthen family businesses. It accomplishes this through providing business education and resources such as networking tools and a guest speaker series. The HCFB also now offers personalized consulting services. Its community partners include the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce and the Library System of Lancaster County.
As director, Mitchell plans to continue to develop the relationship between the College and the HCFB. He will conduct a strategic planning session in early April. Before implementing any changes, he wants to get the members’ perspective on what plans will add the most value to the HCFB. He will also keep in contact with his predecessor, Mike McGrann, to attract speakers and consultants to Etown.
Before his appointment, Mitchell returned to Etown two to three times per year to speak in business classes. The Etown community frequently welcomes past students to return as faculty and staff members. Mitchell continues this tradition with his new appointment. “Every time I come back and see all the activity and energy and have a chance to walk through the Dell, it makes me feel young again,” Mitchell said.