Abstract:
Legacy, Transition, and Growth: The Case of BRIDGE Housing Corporation concerns the issues that a leading regional nonprofit housing company faced after its charismatic founder, Don Terner, tragically and unexpectedly died. It covers the difficulties faced by the incoming president, who had to preserve the memory of her predecessor while charting new courses for the company. The unusual circumstances illuminate the universal problems of leadership succession in successful businesses. In particular, the case explores the challenges posed created by the growth of an aggressive and entrepreneurial housing development firm with a strong sense of social purpose. Furthermore, the case reveals that a policy of continued growth opened up several alternatives for expanding business, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Learning Objective:
This case concerns the issues that the incoming president of a regional nonprofit housing company faced in taking over from the company's charismatic founder, who died unexpectedly. The circumstances illuminate the universal problems of leadership succession. The case explores the challenges created by the growth of an entrepreneurial housing development firm with a strong sense of social purpose. It reveals that a policy of continued growth opened up several alternatives for expanding business.
