CEO Succession Planning | Why It's Essential

Succession planning sounds like a future problem—until it becomes a same-day decision.

At this Club E panel, produced in coordination with the Private Directors Association, directors and experienced operators unpack what succession planning really requires in private companies—beyond vague intent and annual check-the-box conversations. We’ll clarify what the board must own, what management must run, and what “good” looks like when leadership continuity is treated as true risk management.

Panelists include: Michael Bromelkamp | Retired Principal, Olsen Thielen CPAs

Shay Wyley | Board Chair at Zonatherm Products Inc. | ThermFlo, Inc., Vice Chair at Park Industries, Board Director at Kent Worldwide

Sarah Oquist | Woodlands National Bank Board Chair and former CEO, Grand Casino Minnesota

Greg Cash | Argent International, CEO, Board Chair, Abbatia Labs (Switzerland), Neuralert Technologies, Independent Director, InsuLife (Switzerland), Norman Noble (US)

Expect a candid discussion on:

• The board’s non-delegable responsibilities in CEO succession— and where boards commonly overreach or underreach

• The “gold-standard” succession process: defining success criteria, evaluating candidates, and running a transition plan that holds up under scrutiny

• Emergency succession: what needs to be in place if a CEO is suddenly unavailable tomorrow (authority, interim leadership, and decision cadence)

• Communication under pressure: what to tell employees, customers, lenders, and investors —and in what order

• Building real bench strength: how to develop internal successors and measure readiness without bias

• Founder transitions and “shadow CEO” risk: how to define roles and decision rights to avoid split authority

• Governance that supports continuity: the cadence, documents, and board structure that make succession planning real—not theoretical

Minneapolis Club members can purchase discounted tickets directly by logging into the Member site, contacting concierge@mplsclub.org or calling 612-332-2292.

With special thanks to our sponsors:

Irish Titan

Breakthrough Impact Group

Highland Bank

Lab 651

Recursive Awesome