STAMFORD, CT, August 03, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Francois M. de Visscher has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. de Visscher has established a distinguished career as a leader in family business advisory and financial consulting, with a professional journey spanning several decades and continents. Since 2018, he has served as the co-founder and executive chair of Family Office Direct Investment Services (FODIS), based in New Canaan, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, London U.K., and Palm Beach, Florida. In this capacity, Mr. de Visscher has overseen the creation of financial investment partnerships between families and family offices, and has advised and consulted on complex capital, liquidity and governance matters, both family and corporate governance. He is responsible for guiding teams in Pittsburgh, London and Connecticut, developing younger professionals within the organization and collaborating closely with his advisory board. Mr. de Visscher's role also includes chairing or serving on various advisory boards of family companies and family offices in the U.S. and abroad.

Since 2003, Mr. de Visscher has additionally served as an honorary consul of Belgium in Connecticut. In this diplomatic post, he has promoted business ties between Belgium and the U.S. while supporting Belgian nationals residing in the country.

In 1990, Mr. de Visscher founded de Visscher & Co., where he continues to serve as president. Through this firm and its affiliate, de Visscher Advisors, he has provided counsel to more than 400 family offices and businesses in the USA, Latin America and Europe on capital, liquidity and governance issues. His expertise in establishing financial partnerships among families and enhancing governance structures has earned him recognition as an industry authority.

Mr. de Visscher is also credited with founding Family Capital Growth Partners in 2000, a private equity fund that achieved notable success through direct investments in family companies. This initiative evolved into Family Capital Partners, a network of family offices investing collaboratively, which ultimately led to the co-founding of FODIS with offices in London, New Canaan, CT and Pittsburgh, PA.

Beyond his primary work, Mr. de Visscher has also served on boards. From 1990 to 2015, he was a board member of Bekaert NV, a company founded by his great-grandfather in 1880, where he served for 25 years before retiring to support a generational transition. He is still a shareholder of Bekaert today. Between 2008 and 2012, Mr. de Visscher chaired Olympia Chimney Supply, contributing strategic leadership during a period of growth. He is currently serving as Trustee of CYMI Trust in Nashville, TN and as a board member of UltraPure in Darien, CT and Microboard in Seymour, CT.

Earlier in his career, Mr. de Visscher was a managing director at Smith Barney from 1980 to 1990. There, he became a partner in 1985 and established the Family Business Group, the first Wall Street initiative dedicated to advising family businesses and family offices on capital, liquidity and control issues. Mr. de Visscher's professional journey began shortly before this at Coopers & Lybrand in 1977 while pursuing graduate studies.

Mr. de Visscher's academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in applied economics from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium in 1975 and a Master of Business Administration in accounting and finance from Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, in 1977 after immigrating to the U.S. in 1976. He also received credentials as a certified public accountant in 1977.

Among his professional affiliations, Mr. de Visscher holds membership with the AICPA and is a past president of the Family Firm Institute. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is deeply engaged with civic organizations. Since 2008, he has chaired the Society of Friends, serves on the board of the Royal Foundation, contributes as a development committee member for The Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut, and leads environmental initiatives as chair of the environmental committee at a country club in Florida.

Mr. de Visscher co-authored "Financing Transitions: Managing Capital and Liquidity in the Family Business," a book that remains a valued resource at institutions such as Columbia University and has been translated into Chinese and Dutch. He also contributed to many publications including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Family Business Magazine and Tharawat Magazine with the article 'How Can Families Grow, Manage and Safeguard Their Long-Term Wealth?' These publications reflect his commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of family business management.

Mr. de Visscher was honored with the title Knight of the Crown by the King of Belgium, a testament to his contributions to business and international relations. He is also the recipient of the Richard Beckhard Practice Award from the Family Firm Institute.

Mr. de Visscher is a member of The University Club (NY, NY), The Links Club (NY, NY), Pawling Mountain Club (Pawling, NY), Westchester Country Club (Rye, NY), Club Colette (Palm Beach, FL) and Mirasol Country Club (Palm Beach Gardens, FL).

Throughout his career, Mr. de Visscher has been recognized for his high moral standards and impartiality as an advisor, qualities that have enabled him to help families successfully transfer their businesses across generations. He takes particular pride in assisting clients throughout Latin America, Europe and the U.S. in advancing their enterprises from third- to fourth- or even fifth-generation ownership.

The influence of Mr. de Visscher's father, a university professor at a medical school in Belgium, instilled in him the importance of listening as a key skill for understanding clients' needs and building trust. Looking ahead, he is committed to training young professionals who will continue supporting family businesses for generations to come, ensuring that these enterprises remain vital contributors to economic prosperity within their communities worldwide.

Mr. de Visscher is deeply committed to family values and promoting the importance of families in the well-being of humans, young and old. He is married with two children, two grandchildren and three dogs.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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