Prudential Overall Supply, a third-generation, 88-year-old company with a national footprint, recently completed a model leadership transition. This industrial launderer based in Irvine, CA, promoted family co-owner John Clark, to succeed his father Dan as CEO. At the same time, a new nonfamily President, Chris Welch, advanced to succeed retiring President Tom Watts, another nonfamily executive who had risen through the ranks from a route driver to the presidency of a company that grew dramatically during his 20-year tenure. Today, Prudential operates 37 industrial and cleanroom locations from coast to coast.

Welch, a 24-year veteran of the company, started out ...