67 - Keeping It in the Family: Strategies for Successful Business Succession and Growth
Legacy, Leadership, and the Future of Trades: Insights from Andrew and James Baumgardner of The Baumgardner Group
In this episode of the Growing Up B2B Podcast, host Ed Delia sits down with Andrew Baumgardner and James Baumgardner of The Baumgardner Group to discuss their journey as second-generation leaders in a diversified construction and trades company. Their thoughtful conversation explores the realities of growing up in an entrepreneurial household, learning from strong parental leadership, and carrying a nearly 40-year legacy into the next era. For B2B leaders, family business owners, and successors navigating generational transitions, this episode offers valuable insights on growth, partnership, and purpose-driven leadership.
Building a Multi-Company Trades Business Through Values, Experience, and Strategic Growth
Andrew and James share how their upbringing shaped their leadership—from early exposure to both parents’ businesses to observing real-time problem-solving at the dinner table. Their mother, a barrier-breaking woman in the trades industry, brought technical rigor and discipline, while their father modeled relationship-building and big-picture thinking. Today, the brothers blend these complementary influences to lead with clarity, empathy, and high standards, drawing from both trade-specific knowledge and broader leadership principles.
Before joining the business, James spent years in public accounting at Deloitte, earning his CPA and gaining a perspective that continues to benefit the company. The brothers emphasize how critical outside experience is for any next-generation leader. It not only broadens skill sets but brings fresh ideas—like culture-building practices and structured team engagement—that strengthened The Baumgardner Group’s operations. Their combined experience ultimately set the stage for the company’s most significant evolution: a strategic acquisition model addressing the widespread succession crisis in construction trades.
The Baumgardner Group focuses on acquiring small, reputable trades businesses where the owner is approaching retirement and often has no successor. By preserving each company’s identity, centralizing back-office functions, and prioritizing workforce continuity, Andrew and James ensure sustainable growth while honoring each business’s legacy. Their philosophy centers on people first—employees, clients, and the community—anchored by the belief that the true value of any trades business is its reputation and the relationships behind it.
About Andrew and James Baumgardner
Andrew Baumgardner (Owner / Operations Manager) and James Baumgardner (Owner / CFO) are second-generation leaders driving The Baumgardner Group’s growth across multiple construction trades. Their leadership reflects a blend of hands-on industry expertise, financial acumen, and a shared commitment to preserving the legacy built by their parents.
About The Baumgardner Group
The Baumgardner Group is a diversified portfolio of construction trade companies serving commercial and industrial markets throughout the region. Through acquisitions, shared services, and a commitment to legacy preservation, the company provides stable employment, quality workmanship, and long-term value for clients and communities.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Key Episode Highlights
The impact of early exposure to entrepreneurial parents
Why blending different leadership styles creates a stronger foundation
The importance of gaining outside experience before joining a family business
How strategic acquisitions support long-term sustainability in the trades
Balancing centralized systems with autonomy across multiple companies
Conclusion
The conversation with Andrew and James highlights how strong values, outside experience, and a people-first mindset can redefine what family business leadership looks like today. Their story offers a practical, heartfelt blueprint for B2B leaders navigating growth while protecting legacy.
Explore Ed Delia’s website to learn more about leadership strategies for family businesses and B2B growth. If you’re a B2B leader with insights to share, apply to be a guest on the Growing Up B2B Podcast here.
