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Among the career milestones that CFOs prefer to highlight for us during our discussions, there\u2019s little question that examples of driving business growth are an ongoing favorite.

However, for Jason Keen, who built his finance career inside midsize construction firms, management\u2019s growth goals have always needed to be mindful of a company\u2019s organizational culture.

Inside the construction realm, where multigenerational, family-owned businesses survive and thrive, growth goals are often tempered by enduring organizational cultures that are apt to cast a cautious eye upon those who choose to champion change.

As just such a champion, Jason Keen has had few milestones for driving growth that have resembled the double-digit feats commonly recounted to us by CFOs from other sectors. Instead, Keen tells us of the unique challenges that finance leaders sometimes face within multigenerational firms. \xa0

\u201cPart of what I do is to get a foundation in place\u2014which is what I have done three times now\u2014and then structure the company to be ready for growth,\u201d he reports. \u201cThis means putting the right type of team in place and preparing them for this smart growth so that both the top line and the bottom line grow together.\u201d

It\u2019s an approach that most recently led Keen to step into the CFO office at Mills & Nebraska, a family-owned business specializing in the manufacture and installation of doors. \xa0

Says Keen: \u201cWe want to be ready for growth in a smart way.\u201d\xa0\u2013Jack Sweeney\xa0