Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - Ohio Employee Ownership Center


2025 Conference Agenda
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Access the 2025 Conference Preliminary Agenda Here
*Subject to Change

Conference Agenda Wednesday, April 9th, 2025

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Each year, the OEOC holds pre-conference events that include:

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3 pm – 5 pm - CEO Roundtable *  

3 pm – 5 pm - CFO Roundtable *

3 pm – 5 pm - HR Roundtable *

5 pm - 7 pm - Opening Night Reception with drinks and appetizers**

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* To encourage open discussion roundtable attendance is limited to members from employee-owned companies.

** Opening night reception is $40 per individual. No charge if registered for April 9th pre-conference roundtable or April 10th full conference.

To register for pre-conference events fill out this form and email it to Kelly Fitts at kfitts@kent.edu

Conference Agenda Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Click here to register for the conference

7:30 am - 8:30 am Registration and Continental Breakfast - Fairlawn Ballroom‍

8:30 am - 8:45 am Morning Welcome - Fairlawn Ballroom
Chris Cooper, Ohio Employee Ownership Center‍

8:45 am - 9:30 am Keynote Presentation
Ramona Rodriguez-Brooks, National Center for Employee Ownership
Daniel Goldstein, CEO, Go ESOP LLC,  Former CEO of Folience‍

9:30 am - 9:45 am Networking Break‍

9:45 am - 10:45 pm Concurrent Panels One

Governance and Leadership

Women Leadership Forum

Presenters

  • Andrea Capuano, Capuano Consulting
  • Mariann Fuller, Columbia Chemical Corporation
  • Melissa Book, Kraft Fluid Systems, Inc.
  • Jenna Hayes, Palmer Holland, Inc.

Conference Room B

Join a panel of women leaders working in the employee ownership community as they lead an open discussion on theexperiences, issues and challenges facing women leaders in ESOP companies.

HR, Communications, and Culture

Sharing Ideas is Free: Allowing Employee Owners to Impact the Bottom Line

Presenters

  • Kristian Buckler,
  • Manuel Lopez

Aspen West (Holiday Inn Express)

In this session, we will discuss the power of small ideas and how that power can be harnessed to improve day-to- day operations and the bottom line at employee-owned companies. We will share some best practices for sustaining programs that allow employee-owners to take initiative and suggest and implement new ideas, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what some of our team members say. We will also cover some tools and techniques we see as key for building a high-engagement culture that drives both company results and happy employee-owners.

Legal and Technical

Setting (or Resetting) Your ESOP Distribution Policies

Presenters

  • Tina Langlois, Chartwell Financial Advisory, Inc.
  • Ann Caresani, BakerHostetler

Bekaert

When and how you pay distributions to participants who leave the company has impacts for participants as well as thecompany. Distribution policies often evolve over the lifecycle of an ESOP as employee demographics, the cash needs ofthe company, and other dynamics change over time. Like any decision about ESOP plan design and strategy, it is not justset it and forget it. Join this session for a discussion of how to set or reset your distribution policy to best meet your unique objectives and optimize your ESOP!

Selling Owners

Laying the Groundwork For an Employee Ownership Transition

Presenters

  • Eric Zaleski, PCE Investment Bankers
  • Alex Polishuk, Fifth Third Bank

B&W Room

If you think a sale to employees is the right fit for you, how do you get the company ready for the transition? This session will provide tools, techniques, and hard-earned wisdom on successfully transitioning to employee ownership. Covered will be fine-tuning your processes and procedures to ensure smooth operations through the transition, thinking through the financing and capital structure that makes the most sense for the company and you; and and mapping out your financial future after the transaction.

Essential Employee Owner Education

ABCs Of Worker Cooperatives For Members

Presenters

  • Kristen Barker, Coop-Cincy

Board Room

This session will provide cooperative members, or those considering membership in their worker cooperative, with a grounding in the basics of the worker cooperative structure. It will cover what they are; how governance operates; how you become a member; how you accumulate value in your internal capital account; and how you realize that value.

Essential Employee Owner Education

ABCs Of ESOPs For Participants

Presenters

  • Matt Hancock, Praxis Consulting Group

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Conference Room A

This session will provide employee owners at ESOP companies with a grounding in the basics of ESOPs: what they are,how you participate, how you accumulate value in your ESOP account, what vesting is, and how you receive the value of your ESOP account when you retire or leave the company.

10:45 am - 11:00 am Networking Break

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Concurrent Panels Two

HR, Communications, and Culture

Rethinking Compensation: Wages, Bonuses, and the ESOP Benefit

Presenters

  • Shawn Richard, Palmer-Donavin
  • Tina Langois, Chartwell Financial Advisory, Inc.

Aspen West (Holiday Inn Express)

In today’s world, employees value stable current cash compensation more than ever, and companies are challenged to find new ways to attract and retain talent. How do compensation and related profit allocation decisions fit into an ESOP-owned company’s competing demands for a finite supply of capital? How can companies adequately compensate employees while meeting repurchase obligations and other reinvestment and growth capital needs? Is there a way to find a balance between wages, bonuses, and contributions to the ESOP that results in better recruitment and retention? Join us for a dynamic discussion of these questions and real-world examples of how ESOP-owned companies might leverage the ownership model (or not) when deriving compensation policies, including the available tools for meeting a company’s unique objectives and internal communication strategies.

Essential Employee Owner Education

Planning Your ESOP Calendar

Presenters

  • Tracy Woolsey, Great Banc Trust
  • Lori Stuart, SCJ Fiduciary Services

Bekaert

Are you sure you are doing what you need to do for your ESOP on an ongoing basis? Do you find the timing confusing or wonder what other companies do? ESOPs have several annual reporting and participant-related items required to be performed. In this session, we will discuss some of the tasks you must complete at a high level and provide a sample calendar of when these items may be performed.

HR, Communications, and Culture

How To Create Rapid Financial Results And Lasting Cultural Change

Presenter

  • Steve Baker, Great Game Of Business

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Conference Room B

While technology has evolved rapidly over the last century, management styles have primarily remained the same, with decisions made by higher-ups and employees left in the dark. In 1983, The Great Game of Business changed this approach by encouraging businesses to involve everyone, at every level, as informed, engaged, and accountable as the owner. In this interactive session, participants will learn how to educate their teams, set goals, foster accountability, and offer a stake in the company’s success. Key takeaways include understanding why “The Company is the Product,” how to build a business of employee-owners, and the 10 steps to achieving rapid financial results and cultural change through improved business and financial literacy.

Legal and Technical

Company Acquisitions: Techniques and Strategies

Presenter

  • Davin Gustafson

Board Room

This session will focus on the strategies and techniques essential for employee-owned companies when pursuing acquisitions. Our experts will guide you through the process of identifying and evaluating strong acquisition candidates, while tailoring your approach to the unique structure of employee ownership. Gain valuable insights into valuation, negotiation, and identifying opportunities that align with your company’s long-term goals.

Essential Employee Owner Education

Beyond Employee Ownership: A Comprehensive Approach to Financial Success For Employee Owners

Presenter

  • Logan Jones, Everhart Advisors

Conference Room A

Your employee ownership benefit can be a valuable part of your financial picture, but true financial success requires a broader strategy. This session will cover a wide range of personal financial topics, including day-to-day money management, long-term planning, and protecting against risk. By understanding how all these pieces work together, you can make more informed financial decisions and take a more intentional approach to building financial security. This discussion is designed to be accessible and practical, providing insights that apply to a variety of financial situations.

Selling Owners

Asessing the Feasibility Of an ESOP

Presenters

  • Brian Bornino, GBQ Capital Partners
  • Tim Jamison, Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc.

B&W Room

This session is designed for business owners and executives considering an ESOP for their organization. In this session, we will initially provide an overview of ESOPs and their advantages but then spend the majority of our time taking a deeper dive into some of the key elements of assessing whether an ESOP is feasible (e.g., valuation, financing, management succession, and operating with an ESOP). We will also discuss case studies of successful transitions to employee ownership through an ESOP.

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Lunch & Ohio Employee Ownership Awards

1:15 pm - 1:30 pm Networking Break

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Concurrent Panels Three

Governance and Leadership

Staying On Course Navigating Leadership Transitions

Presenters

  • Mike Frommelt, Strategic Partners
  • Rick Van Doel, Indiana Center for Employee Ownership

Aspen West (Holiday Inn Express)

Leadership and ownership transitions can be a particularly vulnerable time for companies. When not handled properly, both former owners and employee-owners may face significant challenges. Whether you’re a new ESOP adjusting to the departure of a founder or an established employee-owned company preparing for the retirement of a longtime ESOP leader, careful planning is essential. By taking the right steps, you can help ensure a smooth transition, maintaining stability and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.

Governance and Leadership

Leading with Ownership: Effective Leadership in an Employee-Owned Company

Presenters

  • Ginny Vanderslice, Praxis Consulting

Board Room

To maximize the opportunities when employees together own a company, leaders must recognize, value, respect, and create opportunities for the company to benefit from employee owners’ knowledge, experience, and commitment to one another’s and the company’s success. This combination will make shared ownership feel meaningful and different from most people’s experience in non-employee-owned businesses. This seminar explores the key principles of effective leadership in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) or cooperative setting, offering strategies to engage employee owners, drive performance, and build and sustain a culture of ownership. Whether you’re a seasoned ESOP leader or transitioning into a leadership role, this session will provide valuable insights to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of leading in an employee ownership environment.

HR, Communications, and Culture

Integration After Acquisitions or Expansion

Presenters

  • Rebecca Moix, InTrust IT
  • Anie Posgai, FST Logistics

Conference Room B

If your company is bringing in a large number of employees, either through an expansion or acquisition, connecting these new employee-owners into your ownership culture can be a challenge. At this session, we will provide insights and techniques for integrating the team in a positive way that builds ownership mentality and creates a unified company. This interactive session will provide plenty of opportunities to ask questions and share your experiences.

Selling Owners

ESOP Alternatives: Selling to a Worker Cooperative or Employee Owned Trust

Presenter

  • Jacqueline Radebaugh, Jason Wiener Associates

B&W Room

Many owners like the idea of employee ownership as a succession strategy but may find that, for some reason or another, an ESOP just doesn’t work for them and their company. There are other options, and this session explores two of them—a worker cooperative and an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT). It will cover the basic structures of each model and the situations in which they can effectively meet owners’ goals and objectives.

Legal and Technical

ESOP Administration Guided Q&A Understanding What Your TPA Needs Are

Presenters

  • Pete Shuler, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates
  • David Whaley, Thompson Hine LLP

Bekaert

Join us for an insightful session designed to help you navigate the complexities of ESOP administration. Have you ever wondered why your Third Party Administrator (TPA) requests so much detailed information? This session will provide clarity on the essential data TPAs need to ensure compliance and accurate management of your ESOP. We call this a “guided Q&A” because we will present some background information but leave plenty of time to address your questions and guide you through the process, helping you understand the importance of each request and how to streamline your interactions with your TPA. Whether you’re new to ESOPs or looking to sharpen your understanding, this session will equip you with the knowledge you need to confidently manage your plan.

Essential Employee Owner Education

Basics Of Business Financials For Employee Owners

Presenter

  • Chris Cooper, Ohio Employee Ownership Center

Conference Room A

This session is a “101”-level introduction to the basics of business financials and financial terminology. It is designed to provide employee-owners a base-level understanding of interpreting financial information and how it impacts business results.

2:30 pm - 2:50 pm Afternoon Coffee Break

2:50 pm - 3:50 pm Concurrent Panels Four

Legal and Technical

Understanding and Managing the Trustee and Apprasier Relationship

Presenters

  • Mark Mills, The MGM Group
  • Matt Silla, Eide Baily
  • Avery Chenin, SCJ Consulting

Conference Room B

In this session, we’ll examine the obligations and responsibilities of the Trustee, the process of selecting a valuation firm and the interaction of all parties, including the company, during the valuation process. We will also explore how the value is approved and what happens after the approval. This understanding will give company leaders the knowledge to work with all parties to ensure a smooth process.

HR, Communications, and Culture

Hiring and Benefit Strategies with a Multigenerational Workforce

Presenters

  • Michael McGrath, McGohan and Brabender
  • Melissa Celko, Thrive Humans

Conference Room A

Hiring and Benefit Strategies with a Multigenerational Workforce—Transforming employee benefit communication strategies and benefits is crucial for engaging a multigenerational workforce. Traditionally, group meetings and static messaging have disseminated information about the employer and the benefits of working for that enterprise. Today, high-performance employers are now leveraging technology and AI-based engagement tools, including highly configurable platforms offering real-time advocacy and resource mapping, creating a more interactive and personalized employee experience. This session will explore the evolution of communication techniques, platforms, cadence, and contemporary wellbeing programs that can be used to engage employees about pertinent human resources and employee benefits information.

Legal and Technical

ESOP Sustainability and Repurchase Obligations: Lessons Learned

Presenters

  • David Horvath, Prairie Capital
  • Kristen Steinhauser, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates

Bekaert

Planning for repurchase obligations has long been a best practice among ESOP-owned companies. More recently, many ESOP companies have furthered their planning process through a sustainability analysis. Having performed several studies, the session leaders will describe key lessons learned, types of policy changes ESOP companies make to help sustain the ESOP and answer questions about the process.

Legal and Technical

Bringing AI Into Your Company: Tools and Techniques

Presenters

  • Will Effers, FIT Technologies
  • Fred Franks, FIT Technologies

Board Room

In this session, we will delve into the ways automation and AI can significantly enhance your organization’s operations. We will explore the crucial benefits of process standardization and compliance, which can lead to streamlined workflows and reduced errors. You’ll learn how automation can boost productivity and improve data accuracy, enabling your team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than repetitive tasks. Plus, we’ll discuss how these enhancements can lead to better decision-making by providing timely insights and reliable data. To illustrate the impact of these changes, we will share inspiring success stories from our clients who have successfully implemented these strategies. Join us to discover how to leverage automation for your organization’s growth and efficiency.

3:50 pm - 5:00 pm Closing Reception - (Patio Weather Permitting)

View Sessions by Track

Legal and Technical

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Bringing AI Into Your Employee-Owned Company: Tools and Techniques

Planning Your ESOP Annual Calendar

ESOP Legal and Regulatory Update

Understanding and Managing the Trustee and Appraiser Relationship

Growing Through Acquisitions: Techniques and Strategies  

Setting (Or Resetting) Your ESOP Distribution Policies  

Governance and Leadership

Women Leadership Forum

Handling Leadership Succession While Maintaining Business Operations

Leading Employee Owners: Keys to Effective Management

Effective Corporate Governance in Your Employee Owned Company

HR, Communications, and Culture

Rethinking Compensation: Wages, Bonuses and the ESOP Benefit

Onboarding Large Numbers of Employee-Owners During Periods of Growth

Hiring and Benefit Strategies with a Multigenerational Workforce

Sharing Ideas is Free: Allowing Employee Owners to Impact the Bottom Line

Open Book Management: Taking the First Step

Essential Employee Owner Education

ABCs of ESOPs for Plan Participants

ABCs of Worker Cooperatives for Worker Members

Basics of Business Financials

How You Build Wealth in an Employee-Owned Company

Selling Owners

Getting Ready for a Transition

Assessing the Feasibility of an ESOP

ESOP Alternatives: Selling to a Worker Cooperative or Employee Owned Trust (EOT)

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CONTACT THE OEOC
321 Bowman Hall - Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
oeoc@kent.edu
330-672-3028
View full office listing

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The Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) - Copyright 2025
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