Ownership Everywhere

RMEOC — Building the EOT Toolkit the EO Field Needs

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:42:54 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Reasearch and Tools for an emerging EO model

Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) are getting more attention, but at the state and local level, many practitioners still have basic questions: How do they really work here? What about tax treatment? Where do they fit alongside ESOPs and co-ops?

With its EOX project grant, the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC) set out to answer those questions in a clear, credible way.

The project delivered:

A research publication that lays out the legal and tax landscape for EOTs in the U.S.

A practical toolkit for practitioners and policymakers who want to understand where EOTs fit in the broader EO toolbox.

A public EOT webinar to share the work and field questions from stakeholders.

A stronger position for RMEOC as a technical assistance leader on EOTs in Colorado and beyond.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Emerging models need more than enthusiasm — they need helpful, digestible information. By combining research, clear explanations, and applied tools, RMEOC has given the EOX Network and the wider EO community a resource they can point to when EOTs enter the chat.

This project directly supports EOX’s strategic interest in expanding credible options for ownership transitions , and it gives State Centers something concrete to share when owners or funders ask, “Where do EOTs fit into all of this?”

TNCEO — Rebuilding Trust With Focused, High-Quality Convenings

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:07:02 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

A reset year with a targeted impact

After leadership transitions, the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership (TNCEO) used its EOX project grant to do something simple and important: rebuild trust in the Tennessee ecosystem with small, high-quality events that delivered value and reconnected key players.

Through the project, TNCEO:

Hosted four strategic events in different regions of the state.

Generated 100+ registrations statewide .

Re-engaged legacy ESOP advisors who had been involved in earlier waves of EO activity.

Built new relationships with SBDCs, economic developers, and Harvard Business School alumni .

Ended the year with 75% board giving , a strong signal of renewed alignment and confidence.

This built on TNCEO’s capacity grant year, where they secured a $500,000 TNECD grant , launched a board giving program, and strengthened tracking of referrals and outreach.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Tennessee’s project is a good example of meeting the moment. Instead of chasing big numbers, TNCEO focused on credibility, relationships, and board alignment — the kind of foundation that makes later growth more sustainable. And where trust is vital to every State Center's work, quality over quantity makes sense.

For the EOX Network, this project shows how a State Center can use project funding to stabilize and reconnect an ecosystem, especially after a transition year.

OEOC — A Shared Resource for Selling Owners

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:38:35 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Updating “Selling Your Company to Your Employees” for the whole network

The Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) has long used its book Selling Your Company to Your Employees as a go-to resource for owners considering EO. With an EOX project grant, OEOC updated and expanded the book — and then turned it into a shared asset for the network.

The project:

Modernized the content to cover ESOPs, worker co-ops, EOTs, and related models , giving owners a high-level comparison before they dive into technical detail.

Created custom, print-ready PDFs branded for EOX and participating State Centers, so each Center can hand owners a resource that looks and feels local.

Distributed these versions across the network, increasing OEOC’s visibility and strengthening collaboration among Centers.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Business owners often need a big-picture overview before they’re ready to talk structure, valuation, or financing. This project gives State Centers a consistent, high-quality piece they can share early in the journey.

It’s a textbook example of what EOX wants project grants to do: create shared educational tools that make local outreach stronger without every Center building from scratch. It's proof there is strength in our unique network-based approach to expanding EO.

VEOC — Helping Vermont Business Owners Start the EO Journey Sooner

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:22:20 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Building tools for long-term owner readiness

When the Vermont Employee Ownership Center received a 2025 EOX project grant, they focused on a gap many of us see every day: business owners wait too long to think seriously about succession . By the time they’re ready to sell, options are limited, and employee ownership can feel out of reach.

With project funding, Vermont developed two practical guides designed to reach owners 5–10 years before a transition:

Laying the Groundwork – an internal guide for State Center staff and partners to help them support owners over a longer runway.

Understanding the Journey – a plain-language guide for selling owners that walks through what a thoughtful, long-term transition can look like, with employee ownership on the table as an option.

Both pieces are digestible and “practitioner-ready,” not academic white papers. Feedback from groups like Democracy at Work Institute, NCEO, Shared Capital, and others has affirmed that Vermont is naming something the field really needs: early-stage tools that acknowledge the emotional and practical pieces of succession, not just the deal mechanics.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Most State Centers work with owners who are already on the brink of a transaction. Vermont’s project deliberately pushes the conversation upstream — helping owners think years ahead, and do it in a way that feels humane and realistic. That’s directly in line with EOX’s strategic focus on growing the pipeline of EO-curious owners, not just reacting when they’re ready to sign.

For other Centers, these guides provide a template for talking with owners about time, legacy, and readiness without jumping immediately into technical structures.

MNCEO — Telling the Stories of EO With the Worker Co. Podcast

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:06:45 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Meeting business owners where they are

The Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) used its project grant to build a narrative-focused infrastructure, launching the Worker Co. Podcast. This series of conversations examines what it looks like when workers have a real stake in the places they work — across cooperative models and other forms of employee ownership.

Through this project, MNCEO:

Produced a mission-aligned podcast that lifts up lived experiences around employee ownership, culture, and shared wealth-building.

Invited diverse guests from Minnesota’s employee ownership ecosystem—worker-owners, practitioners, allies, and ecosystem partners.

Strengthened relationships with local EO companies and organizations through deeper, story-based conversations.

Added a flexible storytelling channel to its education and outreach work, giving people something they can listen to, share, and return to over time.

Helped position employee-owners and practitioners as trusted messengers for employee ownership in the state.

This builds on MNCEO’s earlier capacity investments in a new website, CRM, and added staff support...a strong foundation to produce and sustain a content project like this rather than treating it as a one-off experiment.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Information is important, but it’s often the stories that stick. With the Worker Co. Podcast, MNCEO is making employee ownership feel less abstract and more human — something you can picture in real workplaces with real people.

For the EOX Network, this project underscores that storytelling is a vital part of our infrastructure , not a side project. And it offers a model for other State Centers that want to champion local voices and real-world EO experiences in a way that feels honest and grounded.

ILCEO — Training for "People, Profits, & Performance"

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:31:55 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Meeting business owners where they are

The Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (ILCEO) used its EOX project grant to design a business training program that meets owners where they are: focused on performance, people, and profitability.

The People, Profits & Performance pilot:

Built a curriculum rooted in open-book management and financial literacy , using the “Great Game of Business” framework as an anchor.

Positioned the training as an on-ramp to conversations about employee ownership, rather than starting with EO jargon.

Created marketing and evaluation tools and reached more than 200 partner organizations through outreach.

Achieved 50%+ email open rates , signaling strong interest from the audience ILCEO is trying to reach.

This work sits on top of Illinois’s capacity gains — implementing a CRM, donor platform, new website, and stronger engagement with policymakers and regional partners.

WHY THIS MATTERS

ILCEO’s project recognizes that many owners care first about how their business performs , then about how ownership structure fits into that story. By starting with operations, transparency, and team performance, the program opens the door to EO for owners who might not attend an “employee ownership 101” workshop.

For other Centers, People, Profits & Performance is a reminder that framing matters — and that training programs can be designed to align with how owners actually think and talk about their businesses.

NCEOC — Turning the Ambassador Model into a Network Tool

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:28:59 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

From one state’s program to a shared toolkit

The North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) has demonstrated success with its Ambassador Program, which equips advisors and ecosystem partners to bring EO into their own work. With project grant support, NCEOC took the next step: turning that program into a toolkit other State Centers can duplicate.

The Ambassador Webinar Toolkit includes:

A full webinar agenda and slide deck .

Process notes on software setup, registration, and follow-up .

Guidance on recruiting Ambassadors and supporting them after the session.

Opportunities for cross-state observation and training , so other Centers can see the model in action.

Ambassadors in North Carolina have already helped generate referrals, partnerships, and even board prospects—proof that advisor-facing work can be a multiplier, not just a one-off touchpoint.

This grew out of NCEOC’s capacity work, which included hiring a new Executive Director, developing a three-year strategic plan, and expanding the Ambassador Program statewide.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Advisors sit at the crossroads of many business decisions. By packaging a working model into a toolkit, NCEOC has created a shared asset that can help other State Centers build advisor pipelines without reinventing the wheel.

It’s a direct expression of EOX’s strategic goal to strengthen the State Center Network with replicable, high-quality tools that make the Network ecosystem more consistent and effective.

TXCEO — Catalyzing Texas-Sized EO Coalitions

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:57:26 GMT

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Using events to stitch together a fragmented ecosystem

Texas is big—and so is its employee ownership ecosystem. TXCEO used its EOX project grant to run a set of strategic events that brought together ESOP, co-op, and EOT stakeholders who don’t always end up in the same room.

The project centered on three initiatives:

A Dallas ESOP event that connected existing ESOP companies and advisors.
An Austin co-op convening that brought together co-op practitioners, worker-owners, and local allies.
The launch of the Purpose Trust Ownership Conference , a national-scale gathering focused on purpose trusts and EOT-style structures.

Across these efforts, TXCEO engaged more than 70 participants in Austin and 25+ in Dallas , built new relationships with ESOP companies, and opened up new fundraising pathways tied to this coalition-building work. Make sure to follow the TXCEO on LinkedIn as they report back from the PTON Conference happening as this post is published.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Capacity funding helped TXCEO build internal systems and go full-time on leadership; the project grant let them turn that capacity into visible, relationship-based work that strengthens the EO ecosystem in a large, complex state.

The Texas experience is a reminder that events are not just “programming”—they can be strategic entry points for long-term partnerships. Other State Centers can look to this project as a model for using convenings to knit together ESOP, co-op, and EOT efforts instead of keeping them in separate lanes.

The Florida Center Hires Its First Director

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 19:36:20 GMT

Meet Tom Verbos

Director of the FL CEO

As Director of FLCEO, Tom is responsible for leading FLCEO’s networking, fundraising, and programming initiatives designed to educate business owners, their employees and financial advisors, and elected officials across Florida on the prospect and long-term benefits of employee ownership.

Tom’s past career experience consists of executive management roles, including Vice President, President, and CEO, with the majority of that time being spent with Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) companies. His passion for employee ownership comes directly from his own experience of the benefits it offers. He has the unique perspective of engagement with private equity and publicly owned companies, as well as family-owned businesses, and has seen the long-lasting impact business owners can create with their choice to move their organization to an employee-owned structure. The legacy it creates reaches employees, their families and the communities in which these businesses operate.

Tom was educated at Concordia University Wisconsin and holds an MBA with a finance focus and a double major Bachelor of Arts degree, including a liberal arts major focused on art, history and culture, and a business management major with emphasis on communications.

Tom’s community involvement has included board membership with the Hartford Area Development Corporation (Hartford, WI), active participation and support of the United Way and GPS Education Partners. During his time as President of SteelCraft Corporation, Tom established an on-site education center for GPS Ed, focused on helping at-risk teens, offering them the opportunity to obtain their high school diploma through a special work-based learning program that actively engages parents, GPS dedicated educators and local community and business leaders.

He and his wife spend their leisure time hiking, boating and fishing, attending theater and musical events, local fairs and festivals, and family gatherings that include their daughters and grandchildren.

The Missouri Center Hires New Executive Director

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:00:58 GMT

Meet Julie Leonhardt

Executive Director at the MO CEO

Julie Leonhardt is the Executive Director of the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership (MOCEO) , leading efforts to expand employee ownership as a strategy for stronger businesses, equitable wealth-building, and community prosperity.

A dynamic and purpose-driven leader, Julie has built a career at the intersection of business, innovation, and social impact — from executive roles at top luxury real estate brands and Wall Street law firms to founding Vuse , an AI-driven real estate marketing app.

Before joining MOCEO, she served as Executive Director of Startland , a nonprofit whose publication, Startland News, highlights stories of entrepreneurship and innovation. Julie is deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion, championing women, the LGBTQ+ community, and others traditionally underrepresented in business.

Julie is a graduate of Westmont College and holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law . Originally from Los Angeles, she is fluent in Spanish and now calls Kansas City home, where she lives with her wife and their teenage sons after relocating from New York City.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE →

OWNERSHIP EVERYWHERE
EOX's Monthly Newsletter

kyleharshey@gmail.com (Kyle Harshey) — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:50:13 GMT

See how EOX and the State Center Network is expanding ownership EVERYWHERE !

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EOX is on the road for EO Month

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:24:54 GMT

EOX continues to spread awareness for EO far and wide and Employee Ownership Month has been jam-packed with travels

It’s been a busy EO Month at EOX, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! From DC to North Dakota, Salt Lake City to Newark, our team has been on the ground meeting with business owners, community leaders, policymakers, and other strong EO voices across the country. These conversations matter. They’re how we grow awareness for employee ownership, expand our network's reach, and help ensure employee ownership remains a foremost option for businesses in more places.

Here’s a look at where we’ve been — and who we’ve been talking to.

Lafayette Square Institute's Working Class Insights Forum - Middleburg, VA

EOX Executive Director, Steve Storkan, shared his perspective on a panel on how to provide US workers with meaningful, quality jobs and benefits while honoring the corporate capitalistic structure. He describes the event as "one of the most thought-provoking conferences I have been to in such a long time."

This is just one of the ways we are bringing EO into newer, broader, exciting conversations

READ MORE →

NCBA CLUSA Cooperative Impact Conference - Washington, D.C.

Worker Co-ops are a powerful form of EO, and we were thrilled to attend the only national, cross-sector event elevating the national conversation around this trusted, proven way to do business and build communities. We were joined by some of the best co-op advocates out there who are working hard to galvanize a movement for worker cooperatives. Folks from a variety of industries shared their stories and encouraged more of us to consider co-ops, highlighting the need for the co-op community to work together to help improve our current economy. John Holdsclaw IV, Executive Director of the DC Center was a featured guest, and we got to hear from Senator Amy Klobuchar who continues to be a prominent EO advocate and champion for the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO).

North Dakota Celebrates Employee Ownership - Bismarck, ND

Early in October, we attended an incredible celebration of EO at the North Dakota Capitol, proclaiming October 2025 Employee Ownership Month. Hats off to the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of the ESOP Association for organizing the event! Following the gathering at the Capitol, EOX hosted a private lunch at the Bismarck Mandan EDC to discuss how we can expand EO in North Dakota. With the help of former Lt. Governor Tammy Miller, longtime supporter of EOX, Kirk Lindemann of Eide Bailly, Thomas Nelson of Border States, Cole Mercier of DSG Supply, and Brenda Nagel of the Bismarck Mandan EDC, we gathered nearly 50 business leaders to begin the conversation of establishing a Center for Employee Ownership in North Dakota. We are thrilled about the energy and excitement for employee ownership from our friends in North Dakota!

READ MORE →

NCEOC Annual EO Celebration - Greensboro, NC

The North Carolina Employee Ownership Center continues to do amazing work advancing employee ownership in their state. EOX Deputy Director, Elle Carne, had the pleasure of joining them for their annual Employee Ownership Celebration and witness the remarkable relationships the NCEOC has built over the years. It is through the hard work of these State Centers that EOX is able to localize the impact of EO.

READ MORE →

NADO Annual Training Conference - Salt Lake City, UT

We're grateful to Melissa Levy and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for allowing EOX to share the power of employee ownership with their members at their Annual Training Conference. We were joined by Roy Messing, Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership (MICEO), who shared a great update about the structure and ongoing results of their new state-level partnership program providing EO-related technical assistance for business owners.

READ MORE →

IACEO Annual Employee Ownership Conference - Ankley, IA

The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IACEO) continues to build momentum with their Annual EO Conference, drawing strong feedback from business owners, advisors, and employee-owners who gathered from across the state. This annual event has become a cornerstone for Iowa’s growing EO community, offering space to learn, connect, and share what’s working. EOX’s own Steve Storkan was honored to join as a featured speaker, and we’re excited to see employee ownership continue to take root and grow across Iowa.

READ MORE →

Aspen Institute Ideas: Economy Event - Newark, NJ

Employee Ownership was well represented at the Aspen Institute Ideas: Economy event in Newark. Their "Ideas" event series is their way of bringing leading voices together to address the most pressing challenges in our society. So to represent EOX in this forum is an honor. We joined EOX board members Adria Scharf and Philip Reeves in deep dives about how EO can help our economy work for everyone. It was also great to hear from the EO "Godfather" himself, Joseph Blasi! In the words of EOX Executive Director, Steve Storkan, "as someone who has been focused on just 'getting stuff done' my entire career, it is humbling but very necessary for me to sit back and think about big picture ideas at events like this."

READ MORE →

The Connecticut Center Hires Director of Outreach & Administration

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:50:28 GMT

Meet Robin Lamott Sparks

Director of Outreach & Administration at CT CEO

Robin Lamott Sparks is a nonprofit leader and policy strategist with more than 25 years of experience at the federal, state, and local levels. She has dedicated her career to championing underrepresented voices, advancing policies that strengthen families and communities, and mentoring the next generation of women leaders.

Robin has served as Executive Director of several organizations, including End Hunger Connecticut! and the Community Health Network of Connecticut Foundation, where she stabilized finances, grew partnerships, expanded funding, and strengthened programming to address health and food insecurity. Earlier, she led youth-focused coalitions in New Britain and Bridgeport, and in Washington, D.C., she held senior legislative and communications roles with the FBI, NASA, and members of Congress.

A former Division I volleyball coach, Robin brings the same energy and resilience from the court to her work in advocacy and leadership. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Ball State University. She currently lives in Hamden, Connecticut with her family. Robin still coaches high school and junior volleyball, while also officiating collegiate volleyball.

The West Virginia Center Hires Director of Outreach & Administration

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:38:38 GMT

Meet Prudence A. Ross

Director of Outreach & Administration at WV CEO

Prudence A. Ross is a seasoned business consultant specializing in guiding business owners through the development of exit strategies via Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Based in Charleston, West Virginia, she leverages her deep understanding of business owners' needs to create tailored solutions that facilitate smooth ownership transitions, enhance employee engagement, and preserve company legacy. With expertise in leadership, talent management, strategic planning, and organizational restructuring, Prudence helps owners align ESOP implementations with long- term goals, ensuring financial viability, tax advantages, and a motivated workforce for sustained success.

Her career reflects a proven track record in managing complex business transitions that mirror the intricacies of ESOP setups. At CDI Corporation, she led the acquisition of three U.S. staffing firms and orchestrated a company buyout to an overseas entity, providing guidance on restructuring, job transitions, and knowledge transfer while maintaining operational continuity—skills directly applicable to ESOP-driven ownership shifts. At Manpower, she customized HR and marketing strategies for 10 regional locations, fostering high-performing teams that boosted profitability and market positioning. As a Store Manager at Target Corporation, she directed team development, opened multiple stores, and grew sales by 13.5% at the top Connecticut District location, generating over $52 million annually, demonstrating her ability to build employee-centric cultures ideal for ESOP environments.

Prudence holds a Regents Bachelor of Arts from Glenville State College and an Associate of Arts in Interior Design from Fairmont State University. Her consultative approach, rooted in listening to owners' visions and delivering adaptive strategies, positions her as an essential partner for those seeking to exit their businesses through ESOPs, promoting employee ownership as a pathway to enduring growth and stability.

Lisa M. Gomez Joins EOX Board

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:49:31 GMT

The Employee Ownership Expansion Network Welcomes Former Department of Labor Assistant Secretary, Lisa M. Gomez, to Its Board of Directors

A powerful addition to EOX’s board leadership as employee ownership gains ground across the country.

ARLINGTON, VA — The Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX) is proud to announce the appointment of Lisa M. Gomez to its Board of Directors . A respected national voice in the protection of the benefits of workers, Gomez brings not only her leadership and legal expertise, but a deeply personal commitment to bringing employee ownership into important national conversations.

“I’m honored to join the board of EOX and contribute to its work expanding access to employee ownership - a proven model for building economic resilience,” said Gomez. “In my career working on retirement policy and workplace equity, I’ve seen how giving workers a real say and stake in their company’s success can be transformative. I’m excited to help more businesses and workers tap into this potential as another path for empowering workers and strengthening businesses.”

“The depth and diversity of talent on the EOX Board of Directors is a driving force behind our rapid success in launching, funding, and sustaining a national network of 24 State Centers for Employee Ownership,” said EOX Executive Director, Steve Storkan. “With leaders from business, academia, and the finance sector, my team and I benefit daily from world-class insight both inside and outside the boardroom. Adding Lisa Gomez, whose experience spans private legal practice and public service at the highest levels, elevates our board in a way most nonprofit organizations can only aspire to. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to learn from her and to see the dynamic collaborations that will emerge with our existing board as we continue to grow our national impact and solidify EOX’s role as a leader in the employee ownership movement."

Lisa served as the Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security in the U.S. Department of Labor from October 2022 to January 2025, where she led the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the federal agency charged with protecting workplace retirement, health, and welfare benefits for more than 150 million workers.

Prior to her government service, Gomez spent nearly three decades in private practice as partner and management‑committee chair at Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP, where she was recognized as a preeminent expert in employee benefits law. During her time at EBSA, she led the creation of the Department of Labor’s Employee Ownership Initiative and the first-ever Division of Employee Ownership, dedicated to the promotion of employee ownership in all forms. Her leadership of the new Division of Employee Ownership marked a key pivot in federal involvement, shifting from strictly the enforcement of employee ownership to adding outreach, education, and resource-building around a business model essential to wealth equality, worker voice, and sustainable business transitions.

“From the time she spoke publicly about employee ownership at the 2024 NCEO Annual Conference, Lisa made it clear that she was entering the field as a listener, intentionally closing a longstanding gap between the regulation and promotion of employee ownership”, said EOX Board Co-Chair Jim Steiker. “She took the time to visit with employee owners across the country in an effort to understand employee ownership as more than just a retirement plan but as a tool for wealth sharing and equity and a pathway to more resilient regional economies. Her arrival on our Board doesn’t just strengthen us—it validates how far the employee ownership movement has come. Lisa brings genuine empathy for business owners and employee-owners alike, a rigorous grasp of policy levers, and most importantly, a passion awakened by real employee ownership stories. We look forward to partnering with her in the work we have ahead of us; growing the employee ownership movement with owners’ voices at its core, and ensuring our State Center Network remains deeply rooted in local business communities nationwide.”

About EOX

Founded in 2018, EOX is the nation’s only 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on building awareness and engaging local communities around all forms of employee ownership at state and national levels via a network of 24 State Centers for Employee Ownership . The network is committed to expanding employee ownership to create a more vibrant, participatory U.S. economy. EOX envisions an America where employee ownership transforms the economy, strengthens communities, creates greater wealth equality, and enables business owners and employees to be co-creators of their economic future. To learn more, visit www.eoxnetwork.org .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Steve Storkan
Executive Director, EOX
sstorkan@eoxnetwork.org
(651) 319-1874

The Alabama Center Hires Executive Director

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:04:49 GMT

Meet Kevin Burns

Executive Director of AL CEO

Kevin Burns is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Alabama Center for Employee Ownership and the Sand Mountain Cooperative Education Center, nonprofits whose mission is to expand and strengthen employee ownership in Alabama. Prior to his hiring as ALCEO Executive Director, Kevin devoted months of volunteer work with ALCEO, providing education and outreach on how employee ownership can secure legacy and provide wealth and dignity to the community. With SMCEC, Kevin is a cooperative development lead who provides the training and resources businesses need to successfully navigate a transition to employee ownership. He also manages operations for SMCEC's educational youth program Lamplight Summer Camp and its afterschool program. Kevin was formerly a New York City public school teacher for six years, where he taught 7th grade social studies. He earned a BA in History at New York University and a MA in Teaching Instruction at Teachers College, Columbia University.

John Abrams Promotes His New Book

kyleharshey@gmail.com (Kyle Harshey) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:30:22 GMT

EO advocate, friend of EOX, and proud author of From Founder to Future shares his insights on leadership and worker ownership with NPQ

Click Here to read John's insightful interview with Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)

"John Abrams is dedicated to transforming business into a force for good. He co-founded South Mountain Company in 1973 and led it for half a century. He is the author of From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2025) and Companies We Keep (Chelsea Green, 2008), and writes a blog of the same name."

The Tennessee Center Hires Interim Executive Director

kyleharshey@gmail.com (Kyle Harshey) — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:43:05 GMT

Meet Rachel Eva Merfalen

Interim Executive Director of TN CEO

Rachel Eva Merfalen is the founder of Good Future, a strategy and storytelling consultancy working at the intersection of workforce, employee ownership, and economic mobility. She currently serves as Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership (TNCEO), where she is leading the organization’s relaunch and developing partnerships to expand employee ownership across the state. Rachel brings over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, workforce system alignment, good jobs strategy, and cross-sector collaboration. Through Good Future, she also leads narrative initiatives that elevate the stories of workers and business owners to increase awareness and understanding of employee ownership as a tool for economic resilience. Rachel and her family live in Columbia, TN.

Update On The NCEOX Inclusivity Fund

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:53:46 GMT

In partnership with the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), Panagora Group, and other key donors.

Thanks to the generosity of a few key donors and the vision of ESOP-owned Panagora Group and its founder, Betsy Bassan , the NCEOX Inclusivity Fund is giving the NCEO and EOX the chance to bring employee ownership to more places and more people than ever before.

This fund opens doors to new possibilities for the NCEOX Initiative: reaching women-owned and minority-owned businesses through targeted outreach, strategic partnerships, and designated spaces for meaningful peer connections. It’s helping us do more than spread awareness; it’s helping employee ownership take root in fresh soil. And this is just the beginning.

With support from the NCEOX Inclusivity Fund, we will:

Launch EO education campaigns tailored to women- and minority-owned businesses
Create certification pathways that protect WBE and MBE status, post-transition
Collaborate with leading organizations like WBENC, NAWBO, WPO, and NMSDC
Create new peer networks that will enrich professional communities
Create scholarship opportunities for employee-owners from varying backgrounds to attend ESOP events

We believe employee ownership thrives when everyone has a seat at the entrepreneurial table. The Inclusivity Fund isn’t just a new initiative—it’s a signal that the EO movement is growing deeper, stronger, and more inclusive every day.

The 'WHY' Behind Our Work

kyleharshey@gmail.com (Kyle Harshey) — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:00:47 GMT

Our Friends at Transform Finance shed light on the "Trillion-Dollar Opportunity" that reinforces 'WHY' EOX's work is important

Our colleagues at Transform Finance just dropped a must-read brief that puts hard numbers behind what many of us have long believed: employee ownership isn’t just a good idea—it’s one of the biggest wealth-building opportunities of our time.

SPOILER ALERT: If just 20% of the 1.2 million U.S. businesses flagged by Rutgers researcher, Matt Mazewski, transitioned to 100% employee ownership, it could generate over $3 trillion in wealth for over 11 million working people within a generation.

This is the kind of seismic economic shift EOX and our growing State Center Network were built to support. But none of it happens without education, awareness, and access for all forms of employee ownership reaching every corner of the country. And if nothing changes, our wealth gap will only continue to grow.

THANK YOU to Transform Finance , Rutgers , Project Equity , Ownership Capital Lab , and so many others who continue to spotlight the magnitude of the potential that employee ownership can unleash. Your work empowers EOX and our State Center Network to deliver this message to all who need to hear it.

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade Hires New Office Program Manager

resteban@eoxnetwork.org (Robbie Esteban) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 21:42:40 GMT

Meet Libby Lukens of Colorado's Employee Ownership Office

Libby Lukens is the Employee Ownership Office Program Manager at Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). Libby oversees multiple tax credit programs and develops marketing strategies to increase program utilization and advance Employee Ownership throughout Colorado.

Before OEDIT, Libby worked at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. as a Management Officer in support of the U.S. diplomatic mission abroad. She previously assisted the Department of State Office of Global Change in organization, tracking, and procurement for multi-million dollar climate change programs. Libby earned a B.A. at The George Washington University in Political Science and Criminal Justice and spent time studying at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In her free time, she enjoys skiing and hiking among the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

What was your first exposure to Employee Ownership?

Coming from a background studying public policy, I had heard about employee ownership as a concept supporting businesses. I never fully engaged until I realized it was a tool to help workplaces around the US. When I saw the role Colorado plays in advancing employee ownership, I thought it was a perfect intersection between policy work and engagement with outside business sectors.

How did you come to lead COEOO?

I moved back home to Colorado in the fall, having spent just under eight years studying and working in Washington, DC. Given my experience and love for working with local businesses in my hometown in Steamboat Springs, CO, I knew that I wanted to further efforts within the state to help workers and businesses continue to be successful. When I saw the opportunity for becoming a Program Manager in the Employee Ownership Office, I recognized that it was an exciting way for me to continue supporting the state that I love.

What are COEOO’s goals?

Our office was started to break down barriers and increase accessibility for more businesses to become employee-owned - the goal is for CO to become a leader and one the the most EO-friendly states in the country

Why is employee ownership critical to you?

I believe that everyone should enjoy where they work. We spend more time each week with our coworkers than we do with our loved ones, so I support any endeavor to create a better working environment and open up opportunities for employees to access more wealth and to support their future.

Additionally, I love to stay organized and prepare for future contingencies. I will be happy to contribute to the Colorado community If I can assist business owners to achieve that same reassurance for the future. As someone new to this space, I was excited to learn about the Exit Planning efforts and resources in collaboration with the Colorado Small Business Development Center and Employee Ownership feasibility studies with the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center and the Center for Community Wealth Building. It is exciting to me that I have the opportunity to work with so many great, kind, and intelligent partners in this space. I cannot wait to see what we will achieve together!

Why is Colorado investing in employee ownership now?

Small businesses are what drive Colorado’s economy, and employee ownership is a critical resource for Colorado businesses. Governor Polis has worked to make Colorado a leader in employee ownership, through the creation of the Employee Ownership Office and the use of tax credits to save businesses money on transitioning to employee ownership.

In 2019, the Colorado Employee Ownership Commission was established to further employee ownership throughout the state. Through the discussions and guidance from this mission, we actively work to establish technical support for businesses that want to become employee-owned, educate businesses on employee ownership, and identify and remove barriers facing the advancement of employee-owned businesses. The state is focused on supporting businesses and their employees through this process to maintain jobs and services in communities across Colorado.

We see that 60% of business owners in Colorado are ready to sell within the next decade, but only a small percentage are expected to be sold or passed on to the next generation. We engage all of these efforts with the goal of ensuring that these businesses – businesses that oftentimes provide critical community services – continue to grow and thrive in communities across Colorado.

Learn more about Colorado's employee ownership efforts >

EOX Releases 2025-2028 Strategic Plan!

resteban@eoxnetwork.org (Robbie Esteban) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 06:57:06 GMT

EOX is excited to announce that we have completed our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan!

EOX is excited to announce that we have completed our next 3-year Strategic Plan! Reflecting on the first six years of our work, we are proud of the progress we’ve made across many fronts. Chief among our achievements is the realization of our #1 goal—ensuring that 70% of the U.S. population lives in a state with a Center for Employee Ownership. We have accomplished this by directly supporting and guiding the launch of 16 new State Centers.

Our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan represents a significant milestone as we embark on Phase 2 of our mission to expand employee ownership across the United States. Building upon the foundation established in our 2019 Strategic Plan and our belief that employee ownership is a powerful tool to reduce income and wealth inequality, build community wealth, and foster a more vibrant, participatory economy, this new roadmap outlines our path forward. We have a renewed focus on further strengthening our support for the network of 24 State Centers for Employee Ownership and advocating as the national voice for both the State Centers and the broader employee ownership movement.

Our strategy will prioritize three Ownership Accelerators - key strategic goals for EOX - that will enhance the Network’s capability to drive EO awareness.

Strengthen Our State Center Network

EOX significantly expands employee ownership across the United States by convening, uniting, and supporting a network of State Centers. Our goal is to stabilize and strengthen the existing network to ensure State Center sustainability, success, and credibility in their States. By leveraging collective strength through capacity-building, funding, best practices, and meaningful collaborations, we will achieve more for employee ownership together.

Elevate Our National Voice

EOX envisions an America where employee ownership transforms the economy and strengthens communities to create greater wealth equality. We ensure this by being at the forefront of EO discussions, by providing education and resources at the local level, maintaining a national voice and partnering with organizations to spread employee ownership across the United States.

Source Sustainable Funding

In order to promote employee ownership as a strategy to increase community wealth and create a more vibrant, participatory economy, EOX must have the funding to support itself and the State Centers. Internal capacity and special projects dedicated to our vision and mission require a sustainable funding strategy where we are not overly dependent on one funding source to ensure the work continues.

We are particularly grateful to the EOX Board of Directors and the Strategic Planning Committee for their time and dedication to making this strategic plan possible.

If you would like to help support this plan, the future of EOX, and our State Center Network, please consider donating to our Capacity Campaign below.

What is included in Washington’s Landmark EO Legislation?

sstorkan@eoxnetwork.org (Steve Storkan) — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 06:02:45 GMT

What is included in Washington’s Landmark EO Legislation?

Last year, the state of Washington passed the largest pro-employee ownership legislation ever passed in the U.S. (S.B. 5096). Earlier this year, Lorena Lowell was appointed the inaugural Program Director for the newly created Washington Office of Employee Ownership under the Department of Commerce.

In addition to creating the Office of Employee Ownership, here are some other key provisions of the new law, which could serve as a model for other states:

Commission Oversight : An appointed commission will oversee the new Office of Employee Ownership, comprising four legislative members (two from each party), five private-sector representatives (including those from employee-owned businesses, a business association, an economic development expert, and a financial institution experienced in ownership transitions), and two public-sector experts.

Tax Credits : A feasibility assessment and implementation tax credit will be established, Up to 50%, but no more than $25,000, of the costs of converting a qualified business to a worker-owned cooperative or an employee ownership trust. • Up to 50%, but no more than $100,000, of the costs of converting a qualified business to an employee stock ownership plan. This tax credit launched on July 1, 2024, and is managed by the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Revolving Loan Fund : A revolving loan fund will be created to support financing for ESOP or cooperative conversions, contingent upon the availability of federal funds, potentially utilizing resources from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).

For more information about the Office of Employee Ownership, reach out to Lorena Lowell, Director, at (360) 725-2809 or lorena.lowell@commerce.wa.gov.

How is an ESOP Financed?

sstorkan@eoxnetwork.org (Steve Storkan) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:43:45 GMT

FAQ: How is an ESOP Financed?

Answer : The two types of ESOP financing structures are:

1) Leveraged - A loan is used to purchase a block of shares.

2) Non-leveraged - A company contributes cash to purchase shares in the future (or contributes shares directly) that are then allocated to plan participants.

Depending on how much of the company will be sold, an ESOP transition can be funded in a couple of ways. In most ESOP transactions, the company will borrow from a bank to fund a portion of the transaction. If the owner(s) want to sell 100 percent of the company in one transaction, the value beyond what is available from third party financing sources is often financed by a seller note. EOX National Service Provider SES ESOP Strategies explains more about how each of these financing structures work.

For more information: https://sesesop.com/service/esop-financing/

Washington is the 24th State to Open a Center for Employee Ownership

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 17:42:35 GMT

Washington is the 24th State to Open a Center for Employee Ownership

With the opening of the Washington Center for Employee Ownership (WACEO), the national network of State Centers for Employee Ownership now numbers 24 – almost half of the country! See the map of State Centers here and meet all the leaders of those centers here .

WACEO’s purpose is to 1) Increase awareness, build practitioner capacity, engage government, and expand access to capital for employee-owned enterprises; 2) Be a resource to businesses looking to transition to or form as employee-owned enterprises, and 3) Work to create more employee-owned enterprises.

Each State Center has a unique origin story. The Whatcom Community Foundation – which played an essential role in the creation of the new center – will be the incubator and legal home for WACEO until the center is ready to transition to a standalone organization.

Recently, WACEO hired its first Director, Patricia Kwan. Kwan brings years of experience working in a wide variety of established and start-up business settings in business development, strategy, and operations roles. She has an MBA from Yale University and a BS from University of California, Berkeley.

The Whatcom Community Foundation President and CEO, Mauri Ingram, said of Kwan’s hire, “This appointment marks an exciting step forward in our mission to champion employee ownership - and expand opportunities for employees to prosper - across Washington state. We're eager for the Center to serve as a beacon for those curious about this transformative business model, and Patricia's leadership will be instrumental in guiding our efforts to educate, advocate, and inspire.”

For more information about WACEO or to get involved, reach out to Patricia Kwan, Director, at patricia@employeeownershipwa.org or 510-717-5470.

September 2024 - How well do you know EO?

resteban@eoxnetwork.org (Robbie Esteban) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:45:34 GMT

Question : Does the owner have to leave the company to create an ESOP?

Answer : No. Although many business owners decide to use the opportunity of their retirement to sell the company to employees, it is not necessary by any means. In fact, many owners choose to stay involved in some capacity for years after the transaction.

When the owner leaves often depends on a combination of factors including the existing management team’s experience/capacity and the owner’s personal goals – all of which would be planned out in advance and described in the terms of the transaction. The National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) has a great resource with more information about this and other topics for business owners considering a transition.

For more information: https://www.nceo.org/article/employee-ownership-business-owners

September Newsletter

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:29:07 GMT

September Newsletter

In Other News

Employee-Owned Dealership Celebrates 50 years – The Honda North dealership in Danvers, MA celebrated 50 years in business and also won the coveted President's Award from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. for the 16th time in 24 years – an excellent example of how resilient employee-owned companies are and how they often outperform peers. Read more →

RF MacDonald Company Becomes an ESOP – RF MacDonald Company – a commercial and industrial heating business based in Hayward, CA with 270 employees – has transitioned to an ESOP, offering its employees improved job security and competitive compensation. Read more →

Sport Park Building Company Becomes an ESOP – Missouri-based American Ramp Company , which designs and builds Action Sports Parks including municipal skate and bike parks, worked with EOX National Service Provider Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. to become an ESOP. Read more →

Edible Beats Becomes 100% Employee-Owned – Restaurant Group Edible Beats in Denver, CO – with more than 325 employees – joined a handful of restaurants in the U.S. that are employee-owned. Read more →

Employee-Owned Davey Tree Acquires Two New Companies – Davey Tree Expert Co. in Kent, OH has acquired VanCuren Services and Midwest Land Clearing – both of Newbury, Ohio – to its brand family. Read more →

Employee-Owned Fastener Industries Acquires Die Co, Inc . – The parent company of a group of employee-owned fastener distributors in Berea, OH, Fastener Industries Inc. has acquired Die Co. Inc. based in Eastlake, OH – a family-owned manufacturer of spring steel fasteners and metal stampings. Read more →

Resources

Article on the Pros & Cons of ESOPs – EOX National Service Provider Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. gives a great overview of the pros and cons of an ESOP for those who are in the early stages of comparing employee ownership to a management buyout. Read the article →

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month – Learn more about the U.S. Latino population, which includes over 60 million individuals (according to the U.S. Census Bureau) and makes up 18.9% of the U.S.'s total population. The National Museum of the American Latino has a great primer on the history of Latinos, what Hispanic Heritage Month is, and the difference between "Hispanics" and "Latinos." Read more →

Report Highlights Benefits of EO for Food/Farming Sector – A new report from the Open University examines Riverford Organic Farmers transition to 100% employee ownership as an example of how to create a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system. Read more →

First Worker Coop Veterinary Practice Video – The retiring business owners of Cooperative Veterinary Care in Spring Green and Mazomanie, WI became one of the first worker cooperative veterinary practices in the country in January, 2023. Learn why the owners chose this model in this short video produced by the UW Center for Cooperatives.. Watch video →

Featured Events

NCEOC Co-hosts FREE EO Webinar Oct. 15 – The North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) and the Small Business Center Network will cohost a FREE webinar on Oct. 15 at noon EST to discuss employee ownership as a way to attract and retain great employees. Register here →

“Is an ESOP Right for You?” Workshop Oct 21-22 – Join the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) in Phoenix, AZ for a 101 on ESOPs including why you should choose one as part of your succession plan along with real-world examples. Registration is exclusive to companies exploring employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Register here →

Click the State Center link below for more information about their events celebrating Employee Ownership Month:

Colorado Employee Ownership Office (CEOO) – Oct. 17

Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) – Oct. 16

Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (ILCEO) – Oct 24

Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GACEO) – Oct. 24

North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) – Oct. 24

September Events Recap

If you would like to get more involved in a State Center near you or at the national level, please email Steve Storkan at sstorkan@eoxnetwork.org.

If you're interested in donating to support our work to expand employee ownership across the United States, please click the button below to make a tax-deductible gift to the Employee Ownership Expansion Network – EOX (EIN: 83-2849677).

September 2024 Policy Corner - Illinois Center Testifies at Chicago City Council

resteban@eoxnetwork.org (Robbie Esteban) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:27:31 GMT

Illinois Center Testifies at Chicago City Council

Policy Corner

ILCEO Testifies at Chicago City Council Hearing

The Illinois Center For Employee Ownership (ILCEO) – along with business owners, employee-owners, and community leaders – participated in a hearing at the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Economic, Capital & Technology Development on September 4 to promote the benefits of employee ownership.

ILCEO and its partners are seeking r a “Resolution Recognizing and Promoting Employee Ownership as a Strategy to Maximize Economic Sustainability and Equity in the City of Chicago.” The resolution to expand employee ownership and prevent the loss of as many as 240,000 jobs in Chicago alone also includes a commitment to address some of the biggest barriers to expanding employee ownership, which include providing technical assistance to business owners, access to capital, policy and legislative support, and enhancing the MWBE certification process.

Currently, 41 privately held companies are owned by an ESOP and are headquartered in Chicago. According to the Department of Labor via the National ESOP Database, these companies employ over 11,400 employee-owners and have distributed over $6.6 billion in wealth to their employees through their ESOP plans. By passing this resolution, the City of Chicago will take a meaningful step towards expanding employee ownership by committing to address the barriers of business transition and strengthening the employee ownership ecosystem throughout the city.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the cause and/or testified and to Alderman Gilbert Villegas for his leadership.

September Newsletter: State Center Spotlight

resteban@eoxnetwork.org (Robbie Esteban) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:04:13 GMT

State Centers Celebrate Employee Ownership Month

EOX Newsletter – September 2024

Colorado – Oct. 17: The Colorado Employee Ownership Commission and the Colorado Employee Ownership Office are hosting a special event on October 17th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at CSU Spur Campus (4777 National Western Dr, Denver, CO 80216) to celebrate the strength and resilience of Colorado’s vibrant employee ownership ecosystem. Learn more and register HERE

Iowa – Oct. 16: The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) is hosting its 2nd Annual Employee Ownership Conference in Ankeny, IA on October 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 PM Learn from industry experts and hear real-life success stories from companies that have embraced this model. Learn more and register HERE

Illinois – Oct 24: The Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (ILCEO) is hosting its first-ever Employee Ownership Celebration on October 24 · 5:30 - 7:30 PM at Chase Tower (21 South Clark Street Chicago, IL 60603) to shine a spotlight on Illinois' newest employee-owned companies. Learn more and register HERE

Georgia – Oct. 24: The Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GACEO) is hosting its third annual Employee Ownership Celebration on October 24 from 3:30 - 6:00 PM at JE Dunn Construction (2555 Cumberland Parkway Southeast Atlanta, GA 30339). Learn about the current legislative landscape and how it will affect the health of employee ownership in Georgia. Learn more and register HERE

North Carolina – Oct. 24: The North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) is hosting its third annual employee ownership celebration on October 24th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Footnote Coffee and Cocktails (634 W 4th St STE 120, Winston-Salem, NC 27101) to celebrate, learn, and connect with the passionate individuals driving the growth of worker-owned enterprises in the state. Learn more and register HERE

Minnesota: During Employee Ownership month, the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) is inviting employee-owned companies to showcase their unique stories capturing who they are and why they love being part of an employee-owned business in video format. Learn more and submit a video HERE

Senate recommends $2M for Employee Ownership Initiative

sstorkan@eoxnetwork.org (Steve Storkan) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:44:55 GMT

Good news from Capitol Hill!

The Committee on Appropriations for the Senate Labor Health and Human Services included language in their 2025 funding bill recommending the Employment and Training Administration spend $2 million on the Employee Ownership Initiative.

Specifically, it says: "Employee Ownership Initiative —The Committee recommendation includes $2,000,000 for grants authorized by section 346(d) of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. Funds will be used to establish and expand employee ownership programs authorized by such section. The Committee expects the Employee Benefits Security Administration to provide subject matter assistance to ETA as it develops and administers this grant program."

While actual funding for the promotion and education of employee ownership authorized in the WORK Act is not guaranteed, this is definitely a great step in the right direction. The network of State Centers for Employee Ownership stands ready to partner with their individual state governments to carryout the purpose of the WORK Act. We applaud Senator Bernie Sanders and his staff for leading the charge on this funding!

Read the full recommendation now>

How well do you know EO?

sstorkan@eoxnetwork.org (Steve Storkan) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:38:11 GMT

Can a company be employee-owned AND a Benefit Corporation or a B Corp?

Question: Can a company be employee-owned AND a Benefit Corporation or a B Corp?

Answer: Yes! EOX National Service Provider Prairie Capital Advisors believes that being BOTH employee owned (in whole or in part) AND being a Benefit Corporation or a B Corp is a great way to maximize a company’s sustainability, profitability, and socially conscious structure simultaneously.

Combining the power of employee ownership with a Benefit Corporation or a B-Corp structure, Prairie argues, “might be the best available method to allow a company to optimize its Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) goals.” Read more about how this combined structure works – and the difference between Benefit Corporations and B Corps, which are commonly mistakenly believed to be the same thing. Learn more>

MNCEO & NCCEO Launch Employee Ownership Ambassador Program

sstorkan@eoxnetwork.org (Steve Storkan) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:29:20 GMT

Congrats to MNCEO & NCCEO!

The North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) and the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) jointly launched an Employee Ownership Ambassador Program in August – a four-week, virtual program for business leaders and those who advise those who are looking to learn more about employee ownership and help spread the word.

The new Employee Ownership Ambassador Program launched by the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) and the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) is designed for business leaders and those who advise them including business service providers, legal professionals, economic developers, chamber of commerce leaders, and financial advisors.

The Employee Ownership Ambassador Program launched in August is a four-week program blending virtual meetings and independent learning modules. Cohort participants learned how employee ownership protects jobs, increases community wealth, and creates a more vibrant, inclusive economy. Participants also learned about the three primary forms of employee ownership: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Worker Cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).

If you would like to dive deep into the world of employee ownership and forge meaningful connections with fellow participants and seasoned experts from employee-owned businesses, sign up for the NEXT Employee Ownership Ambassador Program cohort on Thursdays in September (9/5, 9/12, 9/19, and 9/26). The Employee Ownership Ambassador Program is a gateway to a world where businesses thrive, communities flourish, and legacies endure.

Ready to be part of this transformative journey? Click HERE to register!

Ownership Everywhere

RMEOC — Building the EOT Toolkit the EO Field Needs

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Reasearch and Tools for an emerging EO model

TNCEO — Rebuilding Trust With Focused, High-Quality Convenings

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

A reset year with a targeted impact

OEOC — A Shared Resource for Selling Owners

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Updating “Selling Your Company to Your Employees” for the whole network

VEOC — Helping Vermont Business Owners Start the EO Journey Sooner

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Building tools for long-term owner readiness

MNCEO — Telling the Stories of EO With the Worker Co. Podcast

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Meeting business owners where they are

ILCEO — Training for "People, Profits, & Performance"

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Meeting business owners where they are

NCEOC — Turning the Ambassador Model into a Network Tool

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

From one state’s program to a shared toolkit

TXCEO — Catalyzing Texas-Sized EO Coalitions

A project funded by the EOX State Center Grant Program

Using events to stitch together a fragmented ecosystem

The Florida Center Hires Its First Director

Meet Tom Verbos

Director of the FL CEO

The Missouri Center Hires New Executive Director

Meet Julie Leonhardt

Executive Director at the MO CEO

OWNERSHIP EVERYWHERE EOX's Monthly Newsletter

See how EOX and the State Center Network is expanding ownership EVERYWHERE !

EOX is on the road for EO Month

Lafayette Square Institute's Working Class Insights Forum - Middleburg, VA

NCBA CLUSA Cooperative Impact Conference - Washington, D.C.

North Dakota Celebrates Employee Ownership - Bismarck, ND

NCEOC Annual EO Celebration - Greensboro, NC

NADO Annual Training Conference - Salt Lake City, UT

IACEO Annual Employee Ownership Conference - Ankley, IA

Aspen Institute Ideas: Economy Event - Newark, NJ

The Connecticut Center Hires Director of Outreach & Administration

Meet Robin Lamott Sparks

Director of Outreach & Administration at CT CEO

The West Virginia Center Hires Director of Outreach & Administration

Meet Prudence A. Ross

Director of Outreach & Administration at WV CEO

Lisa M. Gomez Joins EOX Board

The Employee Ownership Expansion Network Welcomes Former Department of Labor Assistant Secretary, Lisa M. Gomez, to Its Board of Directors

The Alabama Center Hires Executive Director

Meet Kevin Burns

Executive Director of AL CEO

John Abrams Promotes His New Book

EO advocate, friend of EOX, and proud author of From Founder to Future shares his insights on leadership and worker ownership with NPQ

The Tennessee Center Hires Interim Executive Director

Meet Rachel Eva Merfalen

Interim Executive Director of TN CEO

Update On The NCEOX Inclusivity Fund

In partnership with the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), Panagora Group, and other key donors.

The 'WHY' Behind Our Work

Our Friends at Transform Finance shed light on the "Trillion-Dollar Opportunity" that reinforces 'WHY' EOX's work is important

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade Hires New Office Program Manager

Meet Libby Lukens of Colorado's Employee Ownership Office

EOX Releases 2025-2028 Strategic Plan!

EOX is excited to announce that we have completed our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan!

What is included in Washington’s Landmark EO Legislation?

What is included in Washington’s Landmark EO Legislation?

How is an ESOP Financed?

FAQ: How is an ESOP Financed?

Washington is the 24th State to Open a Center for Employee Ownership

Washington is the 24th State to Open a Center for Employee Ownership

September 2024 - How well do you know EO?

Question : Does the owner have to leave the company to create an ESOP?

September Newsletter

September Newsletter

In Other News

Featured Events

September 2024 Policy Corner - Illinois Center Testifies at Chicago City Council

Illinois Center Testifies at Chicago City Council

September Newsletter: State Center Spotlight

OWNERSHIP EVERYWHERE
EOX's Monthly Newsletter

State Centers Celebrate Employee Ownership Month