The ESOP Association

ESOP Association Resources

Sep. 26
Federal agencies have established policy to encourage government contracting with Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs).[1] Entities that are certified DBEs typically earn a significant amount of revenue that they may not otherwise earn because of DBE certification.  Yet, DBEs face succession planning issues just like non-DBEs.  That raises a question:  If a DBE becomes ESOP-owned, will it be able to retain DBE status and continue to receive the benefits that come from DBE certification?
2772
Sep. 24
This year, TEA has been securing vital advancements to our policy agenda thanks to the unprecedented efforts of our members. It's easy to see that when our members engage and advocate for the ESOP community, legislative results are not far behind. Here is an overview of the record-breaking engagement of TEA members and the Congressional actions that followed.  
2771
Sep. 19
Mutual membership benefits will be extended across bordersNew Canadian Employee Ownership Trusts to be featured in full program track at Employee Owned 2024 in Las Vegas this November
2766
Sep. 12
For the last three years, the Employee Ownership Foundation has been proud to convene global thought leaders at the Oxford Symposium on Employee Ownership in the United Kingdom.  In 2024, in a testament to the event’s growing importance in expanding employee ownership around the world, the Symposium saw a record number of attendees from 23 countries across five continents.  
2755
Sep. 10
As we head into September, ESOPs across America begin to gear up in earnest for October and Employee Ownership Month. It’s always heartening to see the energy and enthusiasm on display during EOM, as our community celebrates the unique and unifying spirit of employee ownership. This year, we certainly have a lot to celebrate.  
2528
Sep. 02
Washington, D.C. – “Today, with great pleasure, I am signing into law a landmark measure that may finally give the American worker solid protection in his pension plan.”  With these words on September 2, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford signed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) into law.
2521
ESOP Blog, Resource
Apr. 24
At Entertainment Partners, with our 1,100 employee owners spread out across more than 10 locations nationwide, we rely heavily on technology to help us communicate and connect with each other. To us, “social media” encompasses any technology that enables us to create and share content and make those connections. It could be software specifically geared toward fostering collaboration in the workplace or it could be the same website you use to share hilarious cat videos or that perfectly angled selfie.
379
Resource, Press Releases
Apr. 15
Gardener’s Supply Company of Burlington, VT, has been named the 2018 ESOP Company of the Year by The ESOP Association. The announcement was made at The Association’s Annual Conference.

“Gardener’s Supply is a prime example of an ESOP company that actively engages its employee owners, the employee ownership community, and elected officials at the state and federal levels,” said ESOP Association President J. Michael Keeling. “Its commitment to sharing with others the power of ESOPs is an example all ESOP companies can proudly seek to replicate.”
368
ESOP Blog, Resource
Apr. 02
Most businesses wrestle with their health care costs. Being an ESOP does not make us immune to this challenge.

Travel and Transport is a 1,400-person company with offices from Boston to Seattle. We have a self-insured health plan in which approximately two thirds of our employee owners participate. Our plan has run large deficits the past several years and, as a result, we are in the midst of making some major changes.
380
Resource, ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, Washington Report, President's Page, ESOP PAC, Distribution, SBA, Foundation, Stock Sale, Asset Sale, Voluntary Correction Program
Apr. 01
Congress takes two actions in support of ESOPs.
308