The certificate is presented to individuals who have achieved comprehensive professional knowledge and gained significant expertise that can be of value to family business owners and family wealth clients. 

“Through the completion of the certificate program, Dr. Crowley has gained a deeper understanding of the needs of family-owned enterprises and the many roles family business and non-family members play,” said Judy Green, President of the Family Firm Institute. 

Southeast is committed to family business and recently showcased that commitment through the launch of the Blakemore Family Business Initiative. The initiative, which is housed in the University’s Donald L. Harison College of Business and Computing, provides an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, and support all aspects of family business ownership, growth, and succession planning. Crowley, in attaining his certification, reinforces that commitment.  

“Family firms generate over 70% of the GDP in North America and they are critical to our economy. Missouri has a large number of family enterprises which are critical to our region’s success. As such, I feel compelled to help bring resources to Southeast Missouri that can help these enterprises be successful.”  

Crowley, who spent the bulk of his career traveling the globe as an entrepreneur and working for Fortune 500 companies, returned to Missouri in 2020 to accept a teaching position with Southeast. 

“I had been teaching as an adjunct for over 17 years. I really enjoy teaching and bringing ‘real world’ experience to the classroom. I’ve worked in over 50 countries around the globe, and I have experience in starting global firms, so I believe I have a unique experience to bring back to students in my hometown state,” said Crowley. 

“For me, the certification was critical to building my knowledge base and skills in working with family firms,” says Crowley. “We know how important family-owned businesses are to our local economy and the knowledge I received with this certification is one more edge we can give to Southeast students and to Family Businesses in the region.” 

The Family Firm Institute is an international professional membership organization of over 1800 individuals and organizations across 88 countries and is dedicated to providing interdisciplinary education and networking opportunities for family business and wealth advisors, consultants, educators and researchers. As the dominant form of business organization worldwide, family businesses make a unique contribution to the social vitality and economic wealth of communities, making his certification vitally important.