Comments From Family Business Clients

All of us at The Plasencia Group have genuinely appreciated the professional yet very personal relationship we have developed with you in consulting on our behalf. You have been a great strategist, advisor, facilitator and mentor to many of us. It is due in large part to your guidance that our firm has been able to expand in many directions, both geographically and professionally.
— Lou Plasencia, Chairman and CEO, The Plasencia Group
Barry, your support in Organizational Development, Family Facilitator, and Counselor are greatly valued and needed in McNichols Company. You have had your hand in all our major decisions and have been a catalyst in developing most of them.
— E.H. McNichols, President, McNichols Company
In two years, Barry totally changed the culture of our television station, WFLA. The department walls were torn down, work relationships developed, and pride was restored as we became more customer focused. Barry gave us a sense of purpose and pride about our careers and today we are the number one rated station in the market.
— W. Paul Catoe, President, WFLA TV
Barry, I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for MacKinnon and our family. You indeed have made a difference, but most of all I appreciate our friendship.
— Sandy MacKinnon, President & CEO, MacKinnon Equipment/Yale Industrial Trucks – Tampa
Barry has played a significant role over the past 15 years in supporting our family and our business managers. We are blessed to be a leading Tampa Bay restaurant and grateful for advice and consulting Barry continues to provide.
— The Russell Family, Rusty Belly’s, Tarpon Springs
Barry is a leader of leaders. His wisdom, encouragement, and knowledge have helped us grow personally and professionally for the past fifteen years. I look forward to working with Barry in growing our 120 year old family business.
— Tripp Hills, 5th Generation President, Plimpton & Hills Corporation
Barry has incredible insights and provides solid advice and strategic direction. His commitment to my business has had an incredible impact on my life and business for over a decade.
— Traci Bild, CEO of Bild & Company
Barry’s knowledge, accessibility, and willingness to guide and direct us, has been very instrumental in our growth for over a decade. Since working with Barry our company has begun to work more as a team, as we have become more efficient in our processes and procedures.
— Chad Cahill, President, Cahill Homes
Barry is one of the smartest and most thoughtful people I have ever worked with. He understands many things but two in particular are of note:

1. He understands where the company and industry are going. Part of this is knowing where sector trends are going and where the company needs to be. Understanding this allows him to see “where the puck is going” and to help set the company up for success.

2. He understands people. Their motivations, their desires, their needs, and their skills. He is really good at this – and how each person interacts with other people. This allows him to be helpful to each person and the group as a whole.

I have worked with Barry on at least 5 different companies and he has been extremely helpful on all of them. From succession planning to management training to team development, he did it all for us – and very successfully. I would recommend Barry with the highest level of confidence.
— Ransom James, Founder and Managing Partner, Grove Mountain Partners (Atlanta)
Barry has been and continues to be a tremendous help in the succession of our family business to the next generation. Barry’s wisdom and expertise have helped us immensely as we navigate this process. I am confident we will complete a successful transfer of our business and that without Barry’s help it probably would not happen.
— Sam Portlock, President, Chevy Center (Winter Haven)
Barry gives smart advice about being a leader that makes a difference. Barry makes you feel like you’re getting coached by a friend, not an advisor.
— Peter van Stralen, CEO, Sunshine Brands, The Grounds Guy, and The Sprinkler Guys, and author of C.A.R.E Leadership
Barry joined our family business, Castle Supply Company, with a clear mission to take our company to the next level and assist us with a fast paced progressive organization. Barry recommended addressing the many issues that involve the family dynamics of the enterprise. This included, but was not limited to, preparing the organization for the next generation, developing positive and clear lines of communication among family members and assisting the family members in developing goals as one. Eventually, Barry helped facilitate the sale of our company from both a business and emotional perspective. He guided us through the transition from company management to wealth management. I highly recommend Barry, we consider him a trusted advisor and a dear friend.
— Joe White, President, Castle Company