A trusted peer network offers an invaluable tool to help address these challenges and achieve sustained success.
Founded in 1994 by two family offices, CCC Alliance has grown into a diverse group of families ranging from innovators of the new economy to families of industrial pioneers. Designed initially as a private forum for families to share best practices and combine their buying power, CCC Alliance has developed into a dynamic peer network, a collaborative community, a source of insight and opportunities, and a virtuous circle.
Because we are built "by families, for families" we understand the importance of a comfortable, confidential and solicitation-free environment. CCC Alliance does not have corporate memberships for brokers, consultants or financial advisors. We serve the interests of member families only.
Most family office networks trade privacy for scale, or scale for privacy. Sponsored consortia answer to the vendors who fund them. CCC is the only network of single family offices that offers comparable access without the conflict.
Unlike most other family office groups, we take no payments from sponsors or providers and thus are not driven by or conflicted by alternate agendas.
CCC Alliance Members participate in the interest of a single family. There is no aspect of "asset gathering" in the CCC membership.
We NEVER share our mailing list, and fellow members respect the Code of Conduct.
Laird has over forty years of experience in the family office industry. He was the co-founder and Principal of the Cairnwood Cooperative Corporation, a single family office that manages the affairs of the third through seventh generation of the Pitcairn family. The Pitcairn family founded the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in 1883, which is known as PPG Industries. In 2004 Laird helped launch the Wharton Global Family Alliance, a joint venture between CCC Alliance and the Wharton School, where he serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board. Laird is active on various corporate and charitable boards and was the President of The Glencairn Foundation, the family’s charitable giving arm. He is a graduate of Lehigh University and the Babson Graduate School of Business where he was a Sorenson Merit Scholar.
Barney has been principal manager of his family’s office, Corning Capital Corp. for 35 years. The Cornings’ multigenerational heritage stems from the Midwest (not Corning Glass of Corning, New York) where multiple businesses contributed to their standing, most notably liquor distilling with Corning & Co in the late 1800s and partnership in Standard Oil. Over the last century, supporting entrepreneurship has been a consistent wealth continuation vehicle. Since taking the helm after his father’s passing, Barney has been involved in all aspects of family office management with particular interest in the VC asset class, as well as presiding over one of the family’s philanthropic foundations. Barney's early career also includes experience in portfolio management and quantitative portfolio analytics, and he is a graduate of Trinity College and the Boston University Graduate School of Management.
Kristin has worked in family office administration since 2003, reaching her most recent position as controller. She has been involved in administering all aspects of family office responsibilities, including portfolio administration and reporting, partnership accounting and tax preparations, trust and estate administration and client service. She is a graduate of New York University.
Leigh has been with CCC since 2003 and has over 20 years of experience in the family office space. Leigh supports the CCC Alliance member services and manages member communications. She was a member of the Cairnwood Cooperative Investment Committee and a member of the Cairnwood Cooperative Board and is a graduate of Trinity College.
What Members Have to Say
Our members know this is a community that stands at the ready to help. Families stay members even when they can't make meetings because assistance comes in many forms, often when least expected.
“Being a CCC Alliance member has been a tremendous asset for our family as we move through periods of change over the past several years. Having the chance to speak with thoughtful, interested and creative peer families from around the country has been a wonderful resource as our family thinks strategically about our future....We are incredibly glad we are members!”
“We greatly value being members of the CCC community. In fact, it feels more like family in important ways, given the opportunity to enhance wisdom related to business and financial matters, but more importantly human capital objectives are broadened as well. And, as the years have gone by, the quality of our engagement has only increased. The thoughtful curation of both membership and agendas is truly outstanding. We especially celebrate the sharing of experiences by other family members. Of course, we have also been deeply touched by kindness extended to us in connection with the very personal challenge of a family member's health crisis. Keep doing what you do! We are so honored and grateful to be CCC members.”
“The CCC Alliance is our family's most treasured and valuable membership. It is special, strong, and value-generating for the same reasons that a thriving family business or family office is — it is a long-standing legacy of commitment to a mission, adherence to values, and fulfillment of vision. I leave every meeting with pages full of notes that I reference often, pockets full of business cards that I don't throw away at the airport, a head full of ideas I can't wait to implement, and a heart full of renewed passion for continuing our family's legacy.”
“We have built friendships and connections with other families that go beyond the gatherings. CCC members are a strong support and sounding board for when we have issues or questions within our group. It has been a great learning experience, one which we hope to continue nurturing... A lot of importance is placed on the next generation family members and how to involve them today in decision making, which is fundamental for a multigenerational family... The Member Meetings are relevant to us as a family, on succession planning issues, tax planning, business ideas, economic trends. They help us have a well-rounded view of the world.”
“The CCC Alliance has been a wonderful resource and asset to my family and me. In fact, the network helped save my son's life! Thank you for being such a blessing to us.”
“Just realized that I have been a member since 2007! I have found CCC's meeting to be informative, thought provoking and actionable. I have met a number of colleagues with whom I regularly discuss significant issues regarding investment, charity and family matters. Thank you for making CCC what it is.”
“CCC Alliance is the only national and now global family office consortium we have found that is truly un-conflicted. Because they accept no sponsorship or "vendor members" the Alliance is unique in the industry and provides an independent viewpoint on a variety of important issues. This independence has been particularly valuable in times of turmoil and crisis such as 2001 and 2008.”
Members are introduced by those who understand our values and our culture, and we work with prospective members to evaluate a mutual fit. If you are interested in joining, please contact us and let us know how you were referred to CCC Alliance.
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