The Client Experience
Posted on August 12, 2025
In 1972, Jim Doss set out to build a business aimed at designing, engineering, and manufacturing high-quality refrigerator display cases for major super market and food service chains nationwide. Through four decades of innovation, Structural Concepts, founded by Jim in Michigan, became one of the leaders in the industry, thanks in large part to Jim’s leadership and determination.
As Jim pondered a full time move to Florida, retirement, and a potential sale of his company, he engaged with the team at Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, enlisting the help of Hood Craddock, Director of Family Office Services (FOS) Allison Constant, Client Services and the rest of the firm’s FOS team.
The Family Office team is able to provide a deeper level of financial and lifestyle management for business owners and complex multi-generational families. Jim told me in a recent conversation that he and his family sought out those services when they arrived in Southwest Florida.
Jeff: Tell me about your earliest engagement with The Trust Company.
Jim: We moved to Sanibel in 2006, and I met founder Al Hanser and joined as an investment client. But there was a whole lot of estate planning that I knew I had to do, too. Around 2010, The Trust Company assisted with my attorneys, and we put some trusts together. The Trust Company team was very helpful at that time, coordinating with all our advisors.
Jeff: That trust work was important as you considered the sale of your business.
Jim: First, The Trust Company team made sure everything aligned with our needs for being Florida residents. Then, the way the trusts were put together, we had to have some financial management of those trusts, particularly with how they worked with the sale of the business. We pretty much turned that over to the FOS team. Hood and Allison engaged with all the players involved with the sale to make things understandable for us. We wanted to make sure that the trusts were followed and properly funded.
Jeff: How do you feel about all the oversight and reporting they do for you today?
Jim: Keeping track of our finances has been a real benefit for us, particularly since at my age, my eyesight’s beginning to fail! So, I have a lot of stuff – bills and notices and such – sent directly to Allison. She handles our finances like our own personal CFO, and she’s done a wonderful job.
Jeff: Has your family benefited from your relationship with The Trust Company?
Jim: Oh, yes. We started involving more and more of our family. So many of them have moved their accounts and activities to The Trust Company as well. They benefit from being a part of the bigger relationship. Another advantage of being part of the family office is that the fee basis is now spread over many accounts giving each a lower fee. They have access to all The Trust Company has to offer, including the ability to contact their team members directly and get their own personal issues resolved and financial or estate planning questions answered.
Jeff: What would you say to a family who is considering The Trust Company?
Jim: Well, there’s an awful lot to consider, not only from the investment side, but also estate planning and walking through the sale of a business or a liquidity event. It would be beneficial for any family that wants not only their financial interests watched over, but also needs that extra advice or has a complex family or business situation like ours. It has been very beneficial having the entire FOS team involved in making recommendations and always looking at the big picture.
We are available to help your family through life’s transitions, as well.
Jeffrey A. Muddell, MBA, CFP®
Sanibel President
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