EV CEO Chris Fredericks sits down with Casey Grisez, EV's finance and marketing associate, to decode the mystery behind ESOP share prices and valuations. With a background in business valuation, Casey covers the complex process of how companies get valued each year, including the income, market, and asset approaches that determine a share price. And while share price gets all the attention, Chris and Casey discuss that the benefit level (how many shares you accumulate) might matter more for long-term wealth building. The conversation then pivots to EV's ambitious 2030 share price goal and introduces the "ownership in action" framework—four practical ways every employee owner can impact their company's success through growth, innovation, service, and enjoyment. 

Meet Dennis Casey, Manufacturing Engineer at Firstar Precision. In his journey from Navy Man to machinist to engineer, he has lived the power of mentorship and the fun of continuous learning. From starting out on 1940s manual machines to teaching the next generation of machinists, Dennis explains what it takes to master precision grinding and why patience is the key to great teaching. He also opens up about the culture at Firstar, the impact of employee ownership, and his advice for young professionals, which starts with openness to criticism. Stick around for Dennis's favorite ports from around the world, and find out how his orange Shelby GT500 landed a starring role in a movie with Andy Garcia and Marshawn Lynch.

Edited by Mateusz Złakowski

Dan McGowan is a modern-day Renaissance man: content manager at TVF, co-host of the Textile Nerd podcast, broadcaster, roller derby enthusiast, and employee owner. He joins us to answer how he transitioned from a career in broadcasting to the world of textiles, and why joining an ESOP company became a game-changer for his financial future. He shares what makes employee ownership culture so special and why transparency about financial outcomes creates the ultimate team mentality. And don't miss Dan's Indiana women's sports Mount Rushmore, featuring a WNBA legend still doing amazing things in the community and a roller derby champion you've probably never heard of.

Edited by Mateusz Złakowski

Show notes and transcripts on our website at empowered.ventures. Questions? Comments? Leave us a message at (317) 643-2383.

The past fiscal year has been huge at Empowered Ventures—two acquisitions, two new team members, and a growing community of employee owners. With so much change, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what’s happened and what’s next.

In this episode, Chris Fredericks sits down with Emily Bopp, EV’s Chief of Staff, to recap the past year. They talk about welcoming Benoure Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, and Whitney Brothers into EV, what stood out about each acquisition, and why employee ownership is a great fit for these businesses.

They also touch on Healthcare for Us, an initiative aimed at improving benefits for EVers. Emily shares how it started, what they’ve learned so far, and how they’re thinking about the future.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why Acquisitions Matter: Growth isn’t just about adding companies—it’s about building a stronger employee owner community.
2. The Impact of Employee Ownership: What it means for the 130 new employee-owners who joined this year.
3. The Evolution of Healthcare for Us: How the initiative took shape and what’s coming next.
4. What’s Ahead for Empowered Ventures: A look at the priorities and opportunities for the next year.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Emily Bopp
(00:59) Two acquisitions, new hires, and EV’s future
(02:26) Why Benoure Plumbing and Whitney Brothers joined EV
(07:24) New employee-owners and their impact
(08:54) Healthcare for Us: Employee-driven healthcare change
(15:18) Overcoming challenges and building long-term success

Employee ownership is at its best when everyone has a voice. And at EV, we love when we get a chance to hear directly from EVers.

At this year’s Employee Ownership Summit, EVers from across our companies (except our newest business, Whitney Brothers) came together to share ideas, learn from each other, and strengthen the connections that make us unique.

In this episode, Chris Fredericks sits down with Ian Kovach from Firstar Precision, Tim Barnett from Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Erica Roudebush from TVF, and Tom Bawkey from Paramount Plastics. They share how the Summit reinforced the power of employee ownership and why having a seat at the table makes all the difference.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why learning from other companies matters: EVers gain fresh ideas by seeing how different teams approach ownership, engagement, and company culture.
2. The power of storytelling: Learn why sharing experiences helps create a stronger culture and inspires growth across all EV companies.
3. The value of having a voice: Find out how open discussions and collaboration at the summit reinforced the importance of every employee owner’s perspective.
4. Giving back as a team: Listen to how a meaningful team-building activity made a lasting impression and highlighted EV’s commitment to community involvement.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Ian Kovach, Tim Barnett, Erica Roudebush & Tom Bawkey
(02:56) Inside the Employee Ownership Summit
(06:22) Team-building and the impact of giving back at the Summit
(13:00) Best practices from other employee-owned companies
(21:29) Personal growth, connection, and the power of shared purpose

For many, healthcare is something best simply avoided. It’s complicated, confusing, and frustrating. But at Empowered Ventures, we believe there’s a better way.

We launched Healthcare for Us in the fall of 2024 to help employee-owners take a more active role in their benefits. A few months later, it’s time for an update.In this episode, Chris Fredericks sits down with Emily Bopp, Chief of Staff to the CEO at EV, and Kim Dinwiddie, VP of Human Resources at EV,  to discuss the challenges of getting employees to engage with the program, the surprising feedback they received at the EO Summit, and why storytelling might be the key to making healthcare feel more personal.

They also talk about what’s next—how we can all shape a healthcare experience that works for EVers and their families.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why Healthcare for Us Matters: This initiative isn’t just about insurance—it’s about helping employee-owners understand and shape how we use healthcare and benefits.
2. Lessons Learned So Far: Feedback from employee-owners has shown what’s working, what’s confusing, and most importantly, what we need to improve.
3. What’s Next for the Initiative: From better communication to exploring new healthcare partners, we’re refining our approach to make an even bigger impact.
4. How You Can Get Involved: Whether it’s asking more questions, using new tools, or sharing your experiences, every EVer can help shape the future of Healthcare for Us.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Emily Bopp & Kim Dinwiddie
(00:51) The challenge of making healthcare a priority for employees
(04:43) How storytelling can make healthcare more engaging
(08:55) Employee reactions at the EO Summit
(14:29) Next steps for the Healthcare for Us program
(21:35) A better healthcare experience for employees and their families

Every business has a story. But only some businesses hold people at the heart of the story. For Brad Benoure, President of Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, the decision to join Empowered Ventures was deeply rooted in his commitment to the employees who helped build his family business.

In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, talks with Brad about the journey from a small family business founded in 1966 to becoming the latest operating company at EV. Brad shares how his father’s legacy, his brothers’ involvement, and the loyalty of a growing team shaped the company’s path to success.They discuss the transformative impact of employee ownership, the challenges of scaling a business, and the importance of staying true to your values during pivotal moments.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Honoring a Family Legacy Through Growth: Brad reflects on the history of Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, sharing how his father’s legacy and the dedication of his brothers helped build the foundation for a thriving family business.
2. The Role of Employee Ownership in Business Transitions: Brad emphasizes how Empowered Ventures’ employee ownership model provides his team with opportunities for financial growth, security, and a shared sense of purpose.
3. Scaling a Business Without Losing Its Heart: From adding new employees to tackling large-scale multifamily projects, Brad explains how thoughtful leadership and teamwork allowed Benoure to grow while maintaining its core values and focus on quality.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction to Brad Benoure
(02:30) Brad shares the origins of Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, founded in 1966
(04:08) How Brad and his brothers took over the business after their father’s retirement
(07:01) Breaking into multifamily projects and scaling to 200–300 units per year
(09:40) Brad shares stories of long-term staff and internal promotions
(12:10) Brad’s search for the right partner and why he chose Empowered Ventures
(15:27) The impact of selling to an employee-owned business and prioritizing employees’ futures
(16:49) Announcing the sale: Brad’s nerves and the initial reactions from employees
(18:09) Addressing fears of major changes post-sale and gradual improvements under Empowered Ventures
(22:21) Preparing a strong business structure and leadership succession
(23:54) Brad’s commitment to his family business legacy and staying involved in its success

As the famous quote goes, “There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.”It’s been less than a year since Luke Orszag, President of Firstar Precision, appeared on Empowered Owners, but it’s been an eventful stretch.

In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, reconnects with Luke to discuss Firstar’s first acquisition, the importance of cultivating a culture of accountability, and how data is transforming the way machinists approach their work.They also talk about Firstar’s strategies for organic growth, the challenges of entering new industries like aerospace and defense, and the role of employee ownership in driving sustainable success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Empowering Employees Through Data: Luke highlights how providing machinists with real-time data on metrics like efficiency and scrap rates helps them take ownership of their work and strive for continuous improvement.
2. A Seamless First Acquisition: The integration of Ameritool, a trusted vendor, into Firstar demonstrated how strong relationships and strategic alignment can make acquisitions a smooth and beneficial process.
3. The Challenges and Rewards of Growth: Luke shares his experience navigating new industries like aerospace and defense, balancing organic growth with acquisitions, and developing innovative strategies to position the company for long-term success.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Luke Orszag
(01:39) Luke’s journey from VP of Finance to President of Firstar Precision
(02:49) Highlights from the past nine months, including Firstar’s first acquisition
(03:38) The seamless integration of Ameritool and lessons learned from the acquisition
(05:39) Luke’s vision for future acquisitions and the ideal profile for Firstar’s growth
(07:40) Addressing the challenge of finding employees and the importance of talent retention
(08:41) How data-driven tools empower employees to take ownership of their work
(11:33) Expanding into different industries through strategic partnerships
(14:48) How Luke’s background in finance shaped his approach to sales and marketing
(15:46) Exploring content marketing strategies for increased visibility
(19:02) Looking ahead to Firstar’s future

Tough times tend to bring out people’s true colors. The same goes for tough markets and companies, where some wither and others survive or thrive.

In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, talks with Curtis Elliott, President of Paramount Plastics, to reflect on the company's journey through three years of employee ownership. Curtis shares how the transition to employee ownership has strengthened team culture, fostered innovation, and inspired a collaborative approach to problem-solving.Curtis and Chris discuss the challenges Paramount Plastics has faced during a downturn in the RV market and the creative strategies that have helped the company remain steady without layoffs. This conversation offers insights into the power of teamwork, the value of ownership, and how prioritizing people can create a lasting impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Transforming Company Culture Through Ownership: Curtis reflects on how Paramount Plastics’ transition to employee ownership has fostered collaboration, trust, and innovation, creating a stronger and more resilient team.
2. Navigating Market Challenges with Creativity: Curtis and his team have faced downturns in the RV market head-on, leveraging creative problem-solving and diversification to sustain operations without layoffs.
3. The Impact of Employee Buy-In: Curtis shares the journey of employees moving from skepticism to full engagement, showcasing how ownership can shift perspectives and inspire commitment across the organization.
4. Prioritizing People During Tough Times: Curtis emphasizes the importance of keeping employees supported and motivated, highlighting how this approach has strengthened their team’s dedication and drive.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Curtis Elliott
(00:29) Reflecting on three years of employee ownership at Paramount Plastics
(02:02) How the culture at Paramount has evolved under employee ownership
(03:08) The creative solutions employees are bringing to management challenges
(04:46) Curtis discusses avoiding layoffs during the RV market downturn
(05:30) Navigating challenges and diversifying to sustain operations
(12:32) Key innovations and problem-solving initiatives at Paramount
(16:24) Building a stronger leadership team and creating depth across roles
(19:11) Celebrating wins and fostering a unified, engaged team at Paramount
(20:16) Curtis reflects on growth, resilience, and preparing for future success

Change is hard. Especially when it’s brought about by new systems. For organizations in existence for a half century, change brings about a list of challenges and opportunities.

In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, reconnects with Tad Calahan, President of TVF, to explore how TVF has evolved after 50 successful years in business.They discuss TVF's recent CRM and ERP system implementations, the lessons learned along the way, and the importance of balancing innovation with honoring the company’s legacy. Tad shares how the team’s resilience and collaboration have driven progress while keeping their focus on providing exceptional service and a meaningful workplace.From celebrating TVF’s 50th anniversary to achieving ambitious goals ahead of schedule, this episode offers an honest look at the rewards and complexities of growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Building a Legacy of Innovation: TVF focuses on evolving workplace culture and creating a meaningful environment for employees to thrive, ensuring growth for the next 50 years.
2. Balancing Standardization and Customization: TVF approaches system updates by evaluating the need for efficiency while maintaining flexibility for unique business processes.
3. The Role of Change Management in Success: Tad emphasizes the importance of clear communication and collaboration in overcoming resistance and fostering adoption during organizational transformations.
4. Navigating Large-Scale System Changes: Tad shares insights from TVF’s transition to Dynamics 365, highlighting the complexities and rewards of CRM and ERP implementations.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Tad Calahan 
(01:40) Reflecting on TVF’s 50th anniversary
(02:28) Overview of TVF's supply chain challenges and internal system upgrades
(07:23) Challenges and lessons from ERP and CRM implementation projects
(08:54) Changes in management strategies and overcoming resistance to system upgrades
(10:38) Standardizing processes for efficiency during system transitions
(13:30) Balancing customization and standardization in new systems
(14:14) Communicating the “why” in change management and driving alignment
(19:03) Tad’s vision for TVF’s future: growth, evolution, and community impact