J. Michael Keeling, CAE, is the President and Chief Staff Officer of The ESOP Association, a national trade association promoting the growth of employee ownership in America through Employee Stock Ownership Plans, or ESOPs.
Since assuming his position in April 1991, the Association has experienced strong growth in membership and revenues, and is the largest organization in America dedicated to ensuring employee-owned companies are effective in operating their ESOP in an environment of ownership.
He is also President of the Association’s affiliated 501(c)(3) educational and research foundation, the Employee Ownership Foundation.
Prior to becoming President, Michael was General Counsel from 1984. Prior to 1984, he represented the Association on several legislative initiatives before Congress. While General Counsel, he maintained a private practice of law focused on legislative and administrative issues related to tax and retirement income policies.
During the 1970's, he was Chief of Staff for former Congressman J. J. Pickle of Austin, Texas. Prior to that, he worked as an aide in several statewide campaigns in Texas, as a private consultant to labor and farm groups, and as an employee of the Texas State Legislature.
He is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Texas Law School.
The American Society of Association Executives has certified Michael as a Certified Association Executive. He is listed in Who’s Who in American Politics and Who’s Who in America.
He is married and has two children.