The ESOP Association (TEA) is proud to announce new additions and leadership transitions within its Board of Directors, reflecting the organization’s continued commitment to elevating expert voices from across the employee ownership community.
Joining TEA’s Board of Directors are Trey Winthrop, Chief Executive Officer of Bob’s Red Mill, and Brian Ippensen, President of TI-TRUST, Inc. Both leaders bring decades of experience supporting and advancing employee ownership, along with longstanding engagement in The ESOP Association’s committees, councils, and initiatives.
Winthrop’s appointment reflects a career built within the employee ownership model itself. Over the course of 17 years at Bob’s Red Mill, he advanced from an accounting role to CFO before ultimately becoming CEO, gaining firsthand insight into the leadership, culture, and long-term impact of employee ownership. Beyond his executive leadership, Winthrop has been an active advocate within TEA through his involvement on the association’s Public Policy Council, helping shape conversations around the future of ESOP advocacy and awareness.
Rejoining him on the Board is Ippensen, a widely respected advisor whose history with TEA spans multiple leadership roles and years of industry involvement. Throughout his career, Ippensen has worked closely with employee-owned companies across a wide range of industries, providing fiduciary oversight, trustee services, and strategic financial guidance. His previous service as Chair of TEA’s Fiduciary Advisory Committee and prior tenure on the Board bring both continuity and institutional knowledge to the association at an important time for the ESOP community.
Together, Winthrop and Ippensen represent two perspectives central to the strength of employee ownership: operational leadership from within employee-owned companies and the professional expertise that helps support and sustain them. Their appointments underscore TEA’s focus on bringing engaged leaders into conversations that will shape the future of the association and the broader ESOP landscape.
The ESOP Association also congratulates Peter Jones on his transition from Professional Member At-Large to Chair of Chairs. Throughout his service to TEA, Jones has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing employee ownership. In his new role, he will lead coordination across the six Advisory Committees: Finance, Valuation, Fiduciary Issues, Legislative & Regulatory Issues, Administration, and Ownership Culture, ensuring alignment and effectiveness across TEA’s advisory functions while continuing to advance the organization’s mission and long-term strategic priorities.
These leaders bring a broad range of experience from across the employee ownership community and will play an important role in guiding EOF priorities and extending its impact.
Thank You to Departing Board Members
TEA extends its sincere appreciation to departing Board members Connie Burnette and Cara Benningfield for their dedicated service and leadership. Their contributions have strengthened the association and left a lasting impact on its work and members.
