Ed Cox, Ph.D. —
Consulting Associate
Ed understands the unique and complex challenges families in business face through his direct participation in and with family firms for over 20 years. His experience as a family therapist, family business member, and company president allows Ed to partner effectively with his clients, balancing their personal vision with sound business strategy.
Ed is married with three children and enjoys sea kayaking, golfing, traveling and photography.
“I believe strongly in the vast potential and opportunity for family businesses to excel; they are the backbone of a free society.”
Ed’s Core Competencies
Ed assists his clients in achieving balance between the goals of business prosperity, family harmony and personal well-being.
His principal areas of expertise include helping clients:
- Resolve family and business conflicts
- Lead effective planning meetings and retreats
- Achieve successful management transitions
- Create strategic plans combining business and family goals
- Create family charters and constitutions
- Establish boards of directors and advisors
- Develop viable sibling and spousal business partnerships
- Build solid father-son relations
Ed has written numerous articles on family business and has consulted with family businesses in a broad range of industries. A popular speaker to business groups, family forums, and trade associations, Ed lectures and leads seminars on a wide variety of family business topics.
Ed’s Track Record
Ed earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); his Ph.D. in Family Therapy and Sociology from the University of Southern California; and completed the Executive Management Program at UCLA’s Anderson School of Business. He also holds a Certificate in Family Business Consulting with Fellow Status from the Family Firm Institute. Prior to his affiliation with Doud Hausner & Associate Ed spent 18 years as president and trustee of Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, California. Phillips provides master’s degrees in organization behavior and family therapy and trains executives in organizational effectiveness. This school was founded in 1971 by his father-in-law. Ed has served on the Board of Directors of the Family Firm Institute (www.ffi.org) and is a chairperson for Vistage, a worldwide organization of business owners and CEOs who want to grow their businesses and outperform their competitors. Ed is a fellow in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. |
