September 15-16, 2026 | DENVER, CO
Legacy by Design: AEC Ownership and Succession Strategies Workshop
Successful ownership succession in architecture and engineering firms comes down to 3 things:
Strong returns for exiting owners, accessible buy-in opportunities for the next generation, and a well-capitalized future for the firm.
Miss the mark on any one of these and the entire transition can fall apart. Get them right with the insight and strategy you gain at Legacy by Design: AEC Ownership & Succession Strategies Workshop
LEGACY BY DESIGN: AEC OWNERSHIP & SUCCESSION STRATEGIES WORKSHOP
Secure Your Legacy and Equity and build a transition plan that works for your AEC firm
This highly popular executive program distills PSMJ’s decades of real-world experience guiding AEC owners through transition planning into one powerful, immersive workshop. You’ll see how your approach stacks up against the industry, identify your biggest opportunities, and leave with a clear, actionable plan.
This is not a one-size-fits-all formula.
Legacy by Design: AEC Ownership and Succession Strategies Workshop helps you design a transition strategy that fits your firm’s culture, vision, and long-term goals. From financial structure to leadership readiness, every piece is tailored to your reality.
What You’ll Walk Away With
A Plan Built to Succeed
- When to separate ownership from leadership
- 10 fundamental truths of leadership development
- 7 common transition planning mistakes, and how to avoid them
- Key traits every successful new leader shares
- The 5 drivers behind every successful AEC transition
A Clear Path to Your Next Leaders
- 3 proven ways to identify, develop, and measure future leaders
- How generational differences impact strategy
- How to present ownership opportunities to rising leaders
- What to do if a candidate declines
- 5 effective ways to resolve partner disputes
A Smarter Approach to Valuation
- How to avoid costly valuation mistakes
- Proven approaches that work, and ones that don’t
- What actually drives valuation up or down
- How to account for intangible assets
- How to handle gaps in valuation expectations
Stronger Agreements, Fewer Risks
- Why traditional non-competes fall short, and what works better
- 59 costly Buy/Sell Agreement mistakes to avoid
- How to protect former owners without hurting the business
- The 35 must-have terms to implement immediately
Solutions to the Affordability Challenge
- Structuring deals that incoming owners can realistically afford
- Strategies to minimize tax impact
- When gifting stock works, and when it creates risk
Flexible, Forward-Thinking Ownership Models
- Structuring stock option plans that benefit everyone
- Building effective shareholder agreements
- Maintaining control while expanding ownership
AEC Ownership and Succession Strategies Workshop Agenda
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Networking Breakfast
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
7:30AM – 8:30AM
Networking Breakfast
-
Workshop Day 1
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
8:00AM – 10:00AM
Why AEC Succession Plans Fail — And Why Yours Won't
› Understand the critical difference between ownership transition and leadership succession — and why conflating them is the #1 mistake firms make
› Learn the 10 fundamental truths of leadership development that separate firms that thrive from those that stall
› Recognize the 7 most common succession planning mistakes — and the specific strategies to avoid each one
› Identify the key traits your next generation of leaders must possess before they can carry the firm forward
› Select from 4 proven strategies firms use to make transitions smoother, faster, and more sustainable
- 10:00AM – 12:00PM
You’ve Been the Leader: Now, Who Will Take Over?
› Understand how the generational shift from 1st- to 2nd-generation owners fundamentally changes your leadership development strategy
› Why today's Principals are wary of ownership, and how to adjust your strategy to overcome their reluctance
› Assess whether your current governance structure is ready to support future leaders — and how to mature it if not
› Apply the 4 essential components of a high-impact leadership development program to your firm's unique culture and structure
- 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Networking Lunch
- 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Price Ownership Right: Avoiding Valuation Mistakes That Can Cost You Millions
› The most serious — and most common — valuation errors that derail otherwise well-structured transitions
› Distinguish between right and wrong approaches to valuation and understand when each method applies
› Identify the internal and external factors that drive your firm's value up or down
› Learn how to assign defensible value to intangible assets — reputation, client relationships, and key personnel
› Navigate valuation disagreements between buyers and sellers with frameworks that preserve relationships and close deals
- 3:00PM – 5:00PM
Bulletproof Your Deal: Agreements That Protect Both Buyers and Sellers
› Learn why non-compete agreements rarely hold up — and what actually works to protect your firm's interests
› Avoid the 73 Buy/Sell Agreement mistakes that can expose your firm to costly litigation and financial loss
› Structure indemnification provisions that protect departing owners without burdening the firm's balance sheet
› Craft agreements that feel fair to both parties — and that actually get signed
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Workshop Day 2
September 16, 2026
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast
- 8:30AM – 10:30AM
Making the Numbers Work: Financing a Transition Buyers Can Actually Afford
› Structure your ownership transition so future leaders can realistically buy in — without jeopardizing firm operations
› Explore tax-mitigation strategies that protect both sellers' proceeds and buyers' cash flow
› Evaluate whether gifting stock accelerates your succession plan — or quietly sets your firm up for failure
- 10:30AM – 12:00PM
Beyond the Buyout: Exploring Non-Traditional Transition Strategies
› Survey the full spectrum of ownership transition models — from internal buyouts to ESOPs, recapitalizations, and strategic mergers
› Design equity-based compensation plans that reward your best people while protecting the firm's financial health
› Explore how to distribute ownership broadly while retaining the leadership control needed to execute your vision
- 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Networking Lunch
- 1:00PM – 2:30PM
From Plan to Reality: Executing Your Ownership Transition with Confidence
› Determine who needs to be involved in your succession planning — and at exactly what stage
› Learn how to present the ownership opportunity to emerging leaders in a way that motivates, not intimidates
› Know when and how to bring in legal and accounting advisors to protect your interests without over-complicating the process
› Decide whether an outside facilitator will accelerate your process — and how to select and deploy one effectively
› Build a contingency plan for the moment a prospective buyer declines — and emerge with your succession strategy intact
- 2:30PM
Workshop Concludes
6 Costly Transition Planning Mistakes,
and How to Avoid Them
50 years of helping AEC executives establish and, in some cases, salvage succession plans means we know what can go awry. So, we share everything we’ve heard to help you sidestep easily-made yet catastrophic errors.
Relying On a Flawed Buy/Sell Agreement
Poorly written agreements can unintentionally fund future competitors instead of protecting your firm.
Ignoring Stock Redemption Liabilities
Failing to plan ahead can create financial “bubbles” that put the entire company at risk.
Misusing ESOPs as an Exit Strategy
Treating an ESOP like a quick fix can leave owners stuck far longer than planned.
Handing Off to an Unprepared Next Generation
Without proper development, transitions can stall, or worse, force former owners back into the business.
Poorly Structured Deals That Trigger Major Tax Burdens
One misstep in deal structure can create costly, unexpected liabilities for incoming owners.
Equity Incentives That Undermine Capitalization
What looks like a smart incentive can quietly weaken your firm’s financial foundation.
Proven Results
We’ve Helped Hundreds of Firms
Navigate Ownership Transitions
From leadership development to ownership structure, we’ve guided firms through complex transitions with strategies that protect value and position the next generation for success.
Deepa Bhate
CEO | Building & Earth Science
Excellent material and presenter. A thoughtful, logical & practical process to get started. Highly recommend for all founders.
Becky Hawkins
CEO | Method Studio
I’m leaving here armed with knowledge to help our company! Many, many great ideas even beyond the specific topic.
Steve Osburn
President & CEO | CE Solutions
Excellent, exactly what we needed to provide clarity, guide us through our first OT experience.
What You Get
Design an Ownership Program That Actually Works for Your AEC Firm
Built for AEC CEOs, CFOs, and Principals at every stage, from early planning to refining an existing program, this executive workshop gives you the clarity and strategy to move forward with confidence.
Too many firms rely on generic, well-meaning advice that over-focuses on tax or legal structure and completely misses the bigger strategic picture. That’s where things break.
When it comes to ownership transition, the stakes are too high to guess.
This workshop is built to move you from ideas to execution, fast, with practical strategies you can apply immediately.
Two full days of working sessions, plus a complete toolkit to support implementation, including templates, reference materials, and access to a digital resource library. Your experience also includes meals, networking, and continued support after the workshop to help you apply what you’ve learned.
Get a dedicated one-hour session with your facilitator to dig into your specific challenges, pressure-test your approach, and get expert guidance tailored to your firm.
This isn’t theory. It’s built to deliver results. If the strategies and tools don’t make a meaningful impact on how you approach your transition plan, you’ll receive a full refund or the option to attend another program at no cost.
Save $500 when you register at least 30 days in advance. Space is intentionally limited to maintain a highly interactive experience, once it’s full, it’s full.
This program is AIA CES-registered and qualifies for up to 13 LU Hours, CEUs, or PDHs.
All cancellations, refunds and substitutions must be made in writing, via email, to education@psmj.com.
PSMJ’s refund and cancellation policy is as follows:
- Cancellations received at least 45 business days prior to the program will receive full refunds.
- Cancellations received between 44 and 11 business days prior to the program receive a credit letter, good for one year, towards any PSMJ program*.
- Cancellations made 10 or fewer business days prior to the program and/or no–shows are not eligible for refunds or credits.
You may substitute a program in one location for the same program in a different published location (provided it is not already sold out) 11 or more business days prior to the original program start date.
*Credit letters may be applied to any PSMJ program, with the exception of the following: in-house training, partner/association programs, or previously registered and/or paid attendees.
Accommodations
Join us at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel and enjoy impeccable views of the stunning Rocky Mountain skyline and vibrant city landscape. The prime downtown location on the 16th Street Mall offers easy access to a variety of nearby restaurant options, world-class shopping, and the city’s lively entertainment district.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
1550 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202
Discounted Room Rate: $279.25
Booking Deadline: 8/17/26
facilitated by a proven expert who has walked in your shoes...
Jared Jamison, P.E.
After leading AEC firms for over 20 years, Jared shifted gears to pursue his passion for helping other firms succeed through consulting and teaching. He is an accomplished engineering executive with extensive experience in project management, operations, financial management and business strategy.
Jared spent most of his career at Hankins and Anderson, a full-service 200-person A/E firm that specialized in federal building design. As Senior Vice President and Director of Operations, he was heavily involved with strategy, management, and finance and was also responsible for developing and implementing the firm’s strategic management system and improving its quality management.
After Hankins and Anderson was acquired by Mason & Hanger, Jared was responsible for leading the integration of the two firms’ operations and was responsible for developing and monitoring Mason & Hanger’s strategic plan. He also served as Mason & Hanger’s Vice President of Operations. Jared also served as a Department Head, Chief Structural Engineer, and Senior Structural Engineer at Hankins and Anderson.
Jared has served on several boards of directors and served as treasurer for several organizations. He was also heavily involved with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia. He is a speaker, writer, and adviser on topics of business management and strategy with an emphasis on the AEC industry. He has worked as adjunct faculty for the Virginia Commonwealth University Executive MBA program, teaching business planning, and has been a guest lecturer for professional service MBA classes at the University of Richmond.
Even one strong idea can transform your ownership program and deliver outsized returns.
To keep the experience highly interactive, space is intentionally limited, secure your spot today.
Legacy by Design: AEC Ownership and Succession Strategies Workshop
September 15-16, 2026 | Downtown Denver, CO
