After nearly 40 years with Crane Group—22 of them leading the company—Tanny Crane is passing the CEO torch to respected company leader Dan Crane.

In January 2026, Dan will become president and CEO of Crane Group, ushering in the company’s fourth generation of family leadership.

“Dan is a purpose-driven leader with high integrity and exceptional business acumen,” Tanny said. “He is an excellent listener and a courageous decisionmaker. He has a strong vision for where this company can go, and he has proven he can take it there. He also holds dear our values of respect, family, and community, and he will undoubtedly carry those values forward.”

As senior vice president at Crane Group, Dan Crane provides oversight to two of the company’s three operating businesses, as well as its internal HR and technology teams. Since joining Crane Group in 2012, he has been a key player in the evaluation of the company’s portfolio of businesses and the analysis of its investments. He helped lead the creation and growth of Crane Group’s newest portfolio business, Fairwood Brands. And he steered the creation of the company’s strategic plan.

He serves as a board member at United Way Central Ohio, where he is immediate past chair, and CelebrateOne.

“I’m passionate about this company, this team, and this work,” Dan said. “And I’m honored to lead Crane Group forward.”

Here, Tanny and Dan talk about legacy, lessons learned, and more.

Q: Tanny, you were living in Chicago, happily working in branding at Quaker Oats, when your father began recruiting you. How did he win you over?

Tanny: Crane had a rule that family couldn’t join the business. Dad and Uncle Jim felt it “protected” their leadership team, but it really allowed family members to pursue their own passions. Then, when Dad and Jim were ready to retire and wanted to keep Crane Group in the family, most of their kids were doctors, lawyers, teachers, journalists, etc. But I was in business, so I was a likely suspect. Dad started calling me every Sunday night. Three years of Sunday calls culminated in our family vacation in Hawaii, when he slid a note under my door. He offered a package deal for myself and my husband, who was running his own successful business. My husband and I flew back to Chicago, walked into our newly renovated home that I loved, and I said, “I think we should do this.”

Q: What lessons did your father and uncle teach you?

Tanny: It’s the famous Woody Hayes saying: You win with people. Every time Dad would pick me up from the airport when I’d come for a visit, we’d go to the plant and walk the lines, and he’d introduce me to everyone by name. And then there was my uncle Jim Crane: Nobody was better with people. They taught me people are the core of the company. And they also showed us how important community is—that giving back is not optional.

Q: Dan, you were working in finance at Nationwide when Tanny and your father, Mike Crane, who worked alongside Tanny for many years, began recruiting you. What was that like?

Dan: Tanny and my dad were both having lunches with me. So I got to alternate between soft pitches from Dad and hard pitches from Tanny. I was listening intently, but I didn’t want to join the company if I’d just be floating, with no real responsibilities. One lunch, Tanny came to me with an actual role—financial director. That was exciting. The fact we were shifting to a more diversified investment company was intriguing. I was very interested in being part of moving that forward.

Q: What have you learned from Tanny and your dad?

Dan: From Dad, I learned the relationship piece. It’s about having trusting relationships. Tanny has taught me the power of optimism and action. She’s taught me good leaders take responsibility, value accountability, and have agency.

Q: You both worked in the corporate world before joining Crane Group. How would you describe the unique nature of a multi-generational family business?

Tanny: In a family business, there are such deep roots. You can’t walk away. Well, I guess you can, but you don’t want to. We sit on the shoulders of giants. It’s such a great and strong foundation.

Dan: Conflict exists in every business. I think there’s something about a family business where you have a stronger desire to resolve conflict and not let it sit. You want to talk things through. Good communication is key.

Q: Why is Dan the right person to carry the torch?

Tanny: Dan lives our core values—respect, family, community. I’ve witnessed it in how he treats people. How he treats associates like family. How invested he is in the community. I’ve had the luxury of watching him live with purpose for a long time. He has the character of someone raised by excellent parents. He also leads with humility. He’s so committed to the company’s future, and he’s just become stronger and more clear with his vision.

Q: How does it feel to be handed that torch, Dan?

Dan: It feels exciting. It feels like a lot of responsibility, but in a good way. I’m excited because of how passionate I am about the company and about our people. It’s given me real purpose in life.

Q: You also say the company’s longevity is about a lot more than one family. How so?

Tanny: It’s a testament to hundreds of team members through the years. And to the broader Columbus community.

Dan: Absolutely. One reason I’m so confident in taking this role is because of the team. I’ve learned so much from them. And they are extremely committed to what Crane Group is all about. We’re ready to tackle what’s ahead together.

Q: Tanny, you hate the word retirement. Because while you’re retiring as Crane Group’s leader, you will continue to work in other ways. What’s next?

Tanny: I’m excited to remain chair of the Crane Group board, because I love this company and am super committed to its direction. I’ll remain on the boards at The Columbus Partnership, Huntington Bank, Pet Paradise, and several nonprofits, too. I am committed to ensuring that all children are ready for kindergarten. Through Future Ready Five, we’re working to make sure that happens. Plus, I have a bucket list of physical things I want to do—hiking and biking all around the world. And of course, I’ll be spending time with my grandchildren.

Q: In almost four decades at Crane Group, what makes you most proud?

Tanny: Developing people. Watching leaders lead. I’m very proud of the team and how we’ve transitioned the business from a plastics manufacturing company to what it is today. And I’m proud of how our team leans into the community and what we’ve done to help transform the community. I’m also proud of our efforts to put together a great board that I’ve really leaned on.

Q: At this point in life, what do you know for sure?

Tanny: Oh boy—still learning! I just know for sure the family business is in great hands with Dan leading, with a great team around him, and with a family that supports all of us.

Q: Dan, if you’re having this conversation with Gen 5 in 20 years, what do you hope you’ve accomplished?

Dan: I hope I can say we’ve continued successful growth of our company and our people and our leaders and our communities. I hope we can say our values were the reason for our successes and that our people were the reason for our successes. And I hope our family is proud of what we’ve done.