In this podcast episode, Jason and Makenzie interview Art Smith, President of DB Engineering, about the company’s transition to 100% employee ownership. The conversation explores the decision-making process between a strategic sale, management buyout, and ESOP, along with the challenges of leadership transition, communication, and building an employee-owned culture. Drawing from firsthand experience, Art shares valuable insights and lessons learned throughout the ESOP transition process, offering an honest look at the complexities, challenges, and rewards of navigating ownership transition in a growing professional services business.