Business leaders brave snow for Schneps Connects breakfast

Accounting firm CEO shares insights on building a legacy business

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Despite snowy conditions, dozens of business leaders gathered at the Heritage Club in Farmingdale, New York for a Schneps Connects networking breakfast event. The featured speaker was Louis Grassi, CEO of Grassi Advisory Group, one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the nation. Grassi shared lessons he's learned over nearly 30 years in business, including the decision to sell half his firm to employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in order to build a lasting legacy.

Why it matters

Schneps Connects provides an intimate setting for business leaders to network, learn from industry experts, and explore opportunities to work together. In an era of large, impersonal business events, Schneps Connects offers a more meaningful experience focused on building community and driving real results.

The details

The Schneps Connects breakfast brought together dozens of business leaders despite snowy weather conditions. Elizabeth Schneps Aloni, Senior Vice President of Events at Schneps Media, welcomed the group and praised their commitment to growing their businesses. Featured speaker Louis Grassi, CEO of Grassi Advisory Group, discussed his decision to sell half his firm to employees through an ESOP in order to build a lasting legacy, rather than focus solely on profits. Grassi also talked about the importance of providing strong leadership while also listening to others, and organizing retreats to step back and examine the business.

  • The Schneps Connects breakfast event took place on a snowy Wednesday morning on February 25, 2026.
  • In 2023, Grassi sold half of Grassi Advisory Group to employees through an ESOP deal financed by TD Bank.

The players

Schneps Media

The media company that hosts the Schneps Connects networking group.

Elizabeth Schneps Aloni

The Senior Vice President of Events at Schneps Media.

Louis Grassi

The CEO of Grassi Advisory Group, one of the largest accounting, consulting and tax firms in the nation.

Mitchell Goldberg

The president of ClientFirst Strategy, a wealth management firm in Melville.

TD Bank

The bank that financed Grassi's 2023 ESOP deal to sell half of Grassi Advisory Group to employees.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you all for braving the storm and showing up, it shows your commitment to growing your business.”

— Elizabeth Schneps Aloni, Senior Vice President of Events, Schneps Media (longislandpress.com)

“My life is not stopping because of this weather. I reconnected with someone from Jericho. We have common friends. I met various people.”

— Mitchell Goldberg, President, ClientFirst Strategy (longislandpress.com)

“What was more important to me, money or legacy? I chose legacy.”

— Louis Grassi, CEO, Grassi Advisory Group (longislandpress.com)

“I was always a hard worker, a hustler. I loved interacting with people. I knew that was something that I had to have in my work.”

— Louis Grassi, CEO, Grassi Advisory Group (longislandpress.com)

“When you give, you get. You need to give your people the best working environment.”

— Louis Grassi, CEO, Grassi Advisory Group (longislandpress.com)

What’s next

Grassi plans to sell the remaining half of Grassi Advisory Group to employees in the coming years, completing the transition to an entirely employee-owned firm.

The takeaway

Schneps Connects provides a valuable platform for business leaders to build meaningful connections, learn from industry experts, and explore opportunities for collaboration - even in the face of challenging weather conditions. Grassi's decision to prioritize legacy over short-term profits by transitioning his firm to employee ownership demonstrates the power of putting people first in building a lasting business.