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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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Featured Event

The National Conference attracts employee owners from all levels, top association volunteer leaders from across the nation, and expert professionals ready to share their experiences.
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.
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- About TEA
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
Culture & Communications
Working for an ESOP company is different. There’s a certain atmosphere that makes it hard to describe - whether it’s walking into a grocery store like Oliver’s in Sonoma County, California, making a visit to Mountain Hardware in Truckee, California, or visiting Bob’s Red Mill in Milwaukee, Oregon and watching the employees owners in action – there is a difference in the air.
AACE Awards Reimagined for 2026
The ESOP Association (TEA) is reimagining its Annual Awards for Culture and Communication Excellence (AACE) for 2026, modernizing the categories and updating the criteria to elevate the program.
Connection, Culture, and Community: Spring Chapter Conferences are Here
Each spring, our chapters kick into high gear as employee owners, company leaders, trustees, and advisors come together to connect and learn from one another.
ESOP Report | Volume 41, Issue 2
Inside this Issue:
- Connection, Culture, and Community: Spring Chapter Conferences are Here
- TEA Chapter & Regional Events
- President’s Column: The Importance and Impact of ESOP Advocacy
- AACE Awards Reimagined for 2026
- TEA Advisory Committee Applications Are Open!
- Come Tell Your Story: Advoca
5 ESOP Culture Myths: Busted
Whether you’re newly employee-owned or well into your ESOP journey, there are some persistent myths that can quietly stall your culture-building efforts.
ESOP Report | Volume 40, Issue 7
Welcome to Volume 40, Issue 7 of the ESOP Report
This month we've packed the report with tons of articles and news about ESOPs that you won't want to miss!
TEA’s Summer Interns Share Their Experiences Visiting Mid South Building Supply
In July, The ESOP Association’s summer interns got to experience a day in the life of an ESOP with a trip to Mid South Building Supply in Springfield, Virginia.
Making the Most of Your TEA Corporate Membership with Chapter Events
As a corporate member of The ESOP Association, one of the smartest ways to maximize your membership is by engaging with your local TEA chapter.
ESOP Report | Volume 40, Issue 6
Welcome to Volume 40, Issue 6 of the ESOP Report. This month we've packed the report with tons of articles and news about ESOPs that you won't want to miss!
Building Employee Understanding of the Trustee’s Role
A unique thing about ESOP companies is that the trustee is the shareholder of record for the corporation, not the ESOP participants, who are beneficial owners. The trustee is a critical player, but the concept of a trustee can be confusing and unfamiliar to employee-owners.
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