We are a fourth-generation family with a passion for creating lasting value.
The Bainum legacy began in 1936 with the arrival of Stewart Bainum, Sr., in Washington D.C. Over the next seven decades, he and his son, Stewart, Jr., built industry leaders in hospitality and healthcare, creating jobs and substantial value.
White Oak Enterprises now manages the family’s diversified portfolio of assets and serves their private charitable endeavors. This ensures the Bainum legacy extends beyond financial success, fostering positive social impact for generations.
Our Story
From a determined entrepreneur treading new waters to a dynamic, professional investment office.
17-year-old Stewart Bainum hitchhikes from Cincinnati to Washington, D.C., with $3 in his pocket. Crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge on foot, he senses opportunity.
Stewart and Jane Goyne marry in 1941 and eventually have four children: Barbara, Stewart, Jr., Roberta, and Bruce. Stewart progresses from being a plumber’s helper to a licensed plumber to a contractor who renovates homes to sell while residing with his family in the basement.
Stewart forms Realty Investment Company, the initial development company and family office, in 1951. Six years later he builds his first hotel, the Park Silver, in Silver Spring, Maryland, and three years after that he opens his first retirement community with his brother, Robert.
Stewart merges his Park Consolidated Motels into Quality Courts Motels, forming the company that will later become Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel companies.
Stewart and Jane form the Bainum Family Foundation (originally The College Foundation) to guide their family’s philanthropic efforts.
Both the healthcare organization (operating as Manor Care) and the hospitality operation (operating as Quality Courts Motels) issue stock to the public.
Stewart Bainum, Jr., joins his father in business and quarterbacks the expansion strategies for both companies.
Manor Care acquires Quality Inns (renamed Choice Hotels International in 1990), thereby combining both of the Bainums’ major operations into one public company.
Stewart, Jr., succeeds Stewart, Sr., as Chairman and CEO of Manor Care.
Choice Hotels is spun off from Manor Care and begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Manor Care merges with Health Care and Retirement Corporation. In the 26 years since Stewart, Jr., joined the business, the company’s market value increased from $12 million to $2.4 billion.
The second and third generations of the Bainum Family meet and commit to continuing to pursue collaborative family investing and philanthropy. A Family Council is formed to lead efforts in generational education, entity succession, and communication.
Barbara Bainum succeeds Stewart Bainum, Sr., as CEO of the Bainum Family Foundation.
Third generation leaders work alongside the second generation, assuming leadership roles as their expertise increases. Together, the family starts SunBridge Holdings to invest in new opportunities and Artis Senior Living to take advantage of industry experience.
Subsequent new pursuits include investing in technology ventures, developing and operating hospitality assets through Park Silver, and investing in environmental and agricultural sustainability projects through Tertium.
The family brings together several family office entities and related companies to form White Oak Enterprises.
Brian Bainum is elected Chair of the Artis Advisory Council and White Oak Enterprises. Scott Renschler is elected Chair of the Bainum Family Foundation. Scott and Brian are both members of the family’s third generation.
Empowering the family to extend its legacy of service
We believe in the power of working together.
The Bainum family has built a legacy of both creating business value and committing resources to tackle the major challenges facing our communities.
By remaining connected, the family’s aggregated assets, passion, and influence can be harnessed to extend its legacy of service now and for generations to come.
The overriding goal of our family office is to support the Bainum family in meeting its long-term objectives related to maintaining kinship, achieving superior returns, and extending impact.
We aspire to:
- Continue to provide world-class service to our family clients through generations
- Deliver higher risk-adjusted returns than can be achieved by our investors individually
- Offer investment opportunities that couple financial returns with positive social impact
- In so doing, ensure the family remains connected and working together
The values guiding our approach:
Persistence
We believe that commitment, persistence, and hard work are fundamental to achieving our goals.
Integrity
We operate from a foundation of integrity characterized by open, honest, and direct communication.
Progress
We take time to celebrate our successes while engaging in an intentional and ongoing practice of reflection and evaluation for improvement.
Humility
We strive to remain humble, recognizing the many contributions of those who work alongside us.
Collaboration
We believe our work is made richer, more meaningful, and more successful through partnership.
Impact
We believe the most important result of our efforts is positive change for our family, our team, and our communities.