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The Employee Ownership Action Network (EOAN) is a free-to-join, grassroots advocacy movement for anyone with a stake in ensuring employee ownership continues to grow and thrive in the US.
Does that sound like you?
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What Our Members Have to Say
“Membership in The ESOP Association is vital to an ESOP owned company. The advocacy and education services are invaluable and are not duplicated by any other organization.”
-David Kelly, CFO at Acadian Ambulance Service Inc.
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This gathering of ESOP Presidents and CEOs offers a one-of-a-kind platform for peer learning, allowing participants to glean valuable strategies from others grappling with similar challenges.
Upcoming events
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The #EO Solution
The ESOP Association and Project Equity have partnered to create state -by-state data that amplifies employee ownership as a common sense way to preserve businesses, strengthen jobs and build a more resilient post-pandemic economy.
ESOP Association Resources
Forming an ESOP - A New Video Series on Business Succession Planning
Hear from ESOP companies in multiple different industries, and their seasoned advisors, about what an ESOP is and if it’s right for you.
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What is an ESOP?
An ESOP is a retirement plan—but also a way of living and running a company. For insights on both technical and cultural aspects of these plans—which provide benefits to employee owners, the company, the community, and exiting owners—and links to additional resources, see our web page titled What is an ESOP?
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The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Mar. 24
Executive Summary
Mar. 17
It has been decades since we have seen the borrowing climate for deals change so sharply as it has recently outside of a recession. Financing for M&A and private equity transactions deteriorated dramatically through 2022, with third-quarter M&A financing down 70% from the previous quarter and buyout financing during the period less than half that completed in the first quarter.
Mar. 10
Now ends the 2022 ESOP plan year and so begins a new year. With this annual cycle comes a myriad of contrasting economic, market, and other considerations that will influence new and existing ESOP valuations.
Mar. 06
After several weeks of negotiations and sometimes very public political maneuvering, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have chosen their respective leaders and committee structures for the 118th Congress. Now that the dust has cleared and the business of Congress has begun, it is critical from an advocacy perspective to understand how ESOPs and the employee ownership community will be affected.
Mar. 03
Recently, more than 60 volunteer leaders from TEA’s State and Regional Chapter Council (SRCC) journeyed to our nation’s capital for two days of strategic planning meetings at TEA headquarters in preparation for a busy 2023.
Sep. 30
During a Congressional hearing held today by the U.S. House Small Business Committee, TEA Immediate Past Chair and Chairman of Eagle Communications, Gary Shorman, discussed the importance of Employee Ownership, the need for quick access to Small Business Administration loans, and the chilling effect of the Department of Labor’s lack of guidance on ESOP formation.
During Shorman’s testimony he asked Congress to:
During Shorman’s testimony he asked Congress to:
ESOP Blog, Resource, Government Affairs
Nov. 29
A quick glance at the results of the mid-term elections might leave one feeling that the ESOP community will face challenging days ahead. Certainly the retirement and defeat of key ESOP advocates in Congress—primarily in the House, where tax laws originate—pose a challenge. But there is good news too.
The "Bad" News
First, let’s look at the more challenging news.
We will lose some crucial, long-time ESOP Advocates next year.
The "Bad" News
First, let’s look at the more challenging news.
We will lose some crucial, long-time ESOP Advocates next year.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Feb. 28
In this, our final installment on common criticisms of ESOPs—and why they are wrong—we’ll look at the assertion that ESOPs are not real ownership.
According to cynics, ESOPs are “fake” ownership plans. In “real” ownership, they argue, the owners control their assets by determining such things as who runs the company, who sits on the Board of Directors, when major corporate decisions are made that might impact the future of the company, and so on.
But ESOPs are true ownership.
According to cynics, ESOPs are “fake” ownership plans. In “real” ownership, they argue, the owners control their assets by determining such things as who runs the company, who sits on the Board of Directors, when major corporate decisions are made that might impact the future of the company, and so on.
But ESOPs are true ownership.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Feb. 14
I often hear three criticisms about ESOPs: The second criticism is that ESOPs are a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Cynics say the tax breaks provided to ESOPs are money losers because the majority of American taxpayers pay higher rates to make up for the cost of ESOP tax benefits.
But anyone who says that must not have done very well in elementary school when they learned basic math. ESOPs offer great returns on tax incentives.
Cynics say the tax breaks provided to ESOPs are money losers because the majority of American taxpayers pay higher rates to make up for the cost of ESOP tax benefits.
But anyone who says that must not have done very well in elementary school when they learned basic math. ESOPs offer great returns on tax incentives.