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Prior to founding Jean Stone Associates, Jean worked in a variety of occupations prior to joining her family’s business in 1983. The diversified electronics manufacturing firm generated sales of $80 million per year and was composed of four sales divisions and a manufacturing division. In her 22 years with the company, Jean held a number of positions, including President and CEO, President – Audio Visual Division, Vice President of Manufacturing and Procurement, Director of Total Quality Management, Purchasing Manager, and shop foreman in the assembly area. Her final two years with the organization were devoted to finding and exploring new business opportunities, culminating in the start up of a new division. During the final ten years of her employment, she served on the company’s board of directors, along with other members of her family.
While working in the family business, she gained direct and personal experience with many of the same concerns facing family business owners today. These include communications with other family members, conflict management and resolution, managing boundaries between business and family roles, succession planning, exit strategies, compensation of both family and non-family employees, and employment and performance policies for family members working in the business.
In addition to her work as a family business advisor, Jean teaches business and management at both the undergraduate and graduate levels as an adjunct instructor at colleges and universities in the suburban Chicago area. Her most current position is with Northern Illinois University as an adjunct faculty member for the Management Department, teaching in the MBA program.
Prior to pursuing her interest in management, Jean earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University and an Associate of Applied Science in Animal Health Technology degree from Eastern Wyoming College. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Physical Education and her Masters in Business Administration at Northern Illinois University. Professional associations include membership in the Family Firm Institute, the National Wellness Institute, and the Wellness Councils of America (Welcoa).
Jean is also active in community and social service organizations. She is a member of the United Church of Christ and has served her local congregation since the early 1990’s. She was a member of the worship and outreach ministry teams and led the Staff Congregation Relations Ministry team. Her most recent service was a two-year term in church leadership, the first year as vice moderator and the second year as church moderator. She also participated in two capital fundraising campaigns to build a new wing for the church. As a long distance cyclist, she has raised funds for the National MS Society in support of its efforts to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
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