One can assume that every father wants to see his son grow up to do the right things in life. However, it's rare that a father sees his son not only accomplish great tasks, but also join him in guiding the direction of a small, service-based company.

Andrew W. Duthie, the younger son of Duthie Associates, Inc. (DAI) founder and president Robert W. Duthie, has left Detroit, Michigan, to join his father at DAI. Andrew became a member of DAI, which creates custom elearning content and marketing presentations, on January 17th, 2000.

The former DaimlerChrysler Supplier Quality Engineer decided to leave the automotive manufacturing industry once he and his father agreed on a succession plan. The plan was conceived after his father returned from a 4-week vacation on his newly acquired yacht. "When I came back, I found that I still had a business and that it was thriving. That meant the business had some real value. That's when I got the idea for a succession plan." Duthie explored three options, which included transferring membership to the employees of the company, selling the company out-right, or getting a family member to take over the business.

The succession plan has Andrew working for the company for three years under the title of Director, Business Development before he begins to buy into the business. He feels that relocating to become a member of the company and eventually run it is a special opportunity for him. "The chance to succeed my father at DAI was a one-time opportunity, and I couldn't pass it up."

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