AT ThE hE L M

Mitchell Kaneff
Chairman and CEO, Arkay Packaging Corporation, Hauppauge, N.Y.
First job at this company: Working on the glue line at our Hauppauge facility. Id build skids, or pallets, and label them for shipment. At what age? 16. Most memorable thing I learned from my father: Discipline and empathy. He was a runner, and he encouraged me to have that kind of discipline with my music. Also, working on the glue line gave me insight into the lives of employees who did this hard job day in and day out. Most memorable thing I learned from my mother: Manners and etiquette. She also introduced me to the arts. Best thing about this job: Being able to touch so many disciplines every day. Im involved in every aspect of the business, and I get to visit with clients daily. I also get to be the ambassador for the company. Worst thing about this job: Its like winning the World Series. You cant rest on your laurels once you have a success. Youve got to stay sharp. One of our greatest successes: Launching the Olay brand for Procter & Gamble was an important accomplishment for us. generation of family ownership: third. company revenues: $50 million (2011). number of employees: more than 200. years with the company: 30.
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Family Business September/October 2012

Worst thing about working in a family business: From interviewing family businesses for my book, Id say its balancing egos and entitlements issues. My advice for other family business leaders: Begin succession planning early and hold meetings about it often. On a day off I like to play tennis or ski or just throw a ball around with my boys. When theyre in school, I love to work on my music for my band, The Young Presidents. Philanthropic causes our family supports: Some causes we support are cancer and Alzheimers research and the arts. We donate to the Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Childrens Specialized Hospital Fo u n d a t i o n , a n d t h e W h i t n e y Museum, among others. Books I think every family business leader should read: Besides mine, I recommend Jim Collins books Good to Great and Great by Choice. I realized I had emerged from the previous generations shadow when I asked my father to step down. Until then, it was as if I had my learners permit but he was always in the car with me. I loved him and always wanted him to be there, but it brought me incredible confidence to lead alone. Hes chairman emeritus now. Future succession plans: My twin boys are only 11, so youll have to ask me in a few years. In the meantime, I love showing off boxes to them, and I hope theyll see entering the business as a great opportunity. Words I live by: Bring passion to everything you do and have fanatic discipline. I tell my boys that God gave us two ears so we can listen twice as much as we speak. As told to Patricia Olsen

Best advice I ever got: Persevere in the face of adversity. Quote from our companys mission statement: To lead our associates with passion, integrity and a continuous commitment.

On my office wall: Framed press sheets of the cover of the book I wrote, Taking Over: Insider Tips from a Third-Generation CEO, as well as the cover for my bands CD, Freedom of Speech. The patent I got for a CD cover I designed in 1997 is hanging on my wall, too. One of my greatest accomplishments: Professionally, it was asking my father to step down as chairman in 2004 and remaining friends. Personally, becoming an author despite my dyslexia, and writing songs for an album when I dont read music. Best thing about working in a family business: The balance between caring for one another and for our customers. To paraphrase Jim Collins, we care as much about values as we do victory and as much about purpose as we do profits.