Bret Keisling is joined by Mark Kossow, Esq., of Clark Hill [www.clarkhill.com], to discuss some of the reasons why ESOP transactions need to be paused during the Coronavirus emergency.

Hints: Uncertainty is bad, running afoul of the DoL is worse.

You can read the transcript of today's episode on our website, https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-75-pausing-esop-deals-why-it-s-necessary

Bret Keisling takes a look at Metro Diner (metrodiner.com), a national chain founded in 1992. It's Central PA location is doing a tremendous job weathering the COVID-19 National Emergency by treating their team members like family, and going above and beyond in looking after their needs during this difficult time. (And Metro's food is amazing, too!)

More information about Metro Diner's Mechaniscburg location here: https://metrodiner.com/locations/pennsylvania/mechanicsburg/

You can read the full linked transcript of today's podcast on our website, here: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-74-company-culture-in-a-national-emergency

The effect of the US national emergency and global crisis over the coronavirus pandemic will not be known for some time. Bret Keisling is joined by Rob Hilton, A.S.A. of South Park Advisors (https://southparkval.com/) for a broad discussion on how ESOP valuation advisors will navigate financial uncertainties in both transactions and annual updates over the next few months.

You can reach Rob Hilton at [email protected].

As the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc both medically and economically, many ESOP companies and advisors are working on December 31, 2019 valuations. Bret Keisling discusses why the coronavirus should not be reflected in December 2019 valuations, and related challenges to avoid with forecasting and repurchase obligations.

The full linked transcript of today's episode is available on our website: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-73-coronavirus-and-the-12-31-19-valuation

How to present the benefits of EO? The same way four passionate advocates for EO testified in February 2020, before a US House Small Business Committee hearing on the "Challenges and Benefits of Employee-owned Small Businesses."

Today we share some of the testimony from the advocates, including Daniel Goldstein, President and CEO of employee-owned Folience (www.folience.com); R. L. Condra, Vice President of Advocacy and Government Programs, National Cooperative Bank (www.ncb.coop); John Abrams, CEO and Co-owner of worker-owned cooperative South Mountain Company (www.southmountain.com); and Mark Gillming, Senior Vice President, Messer Construction Company (www.messer.com), an employee owned company headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, as well as comments from the committee chair and several members.

The audio clips in this episode were quoted from the US House Committee on Small Business hearing held at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building, and are used per 17 U.S.C. § 107: Fair Use. The full original of the source we quoted can be viewed on the House Small Business Committee channel in the public domain, link provided on our website: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/104-benefits-of-eo-the-us-house-small-business-committee

We spend a lot of time focused on culture and community benefits of ESOPs. Fundamentally, ESOPs are a qualified retirement plan. We turn to our archives for a deep look at design and admin with Jon Williams of Blue Ridge ESOP Associates (www.blueridgeesop.com), Mary McCooe of Maselan & Jones (www.maselanjones.com) and Bret Keisling (www.keisop.com).

Democratic candidates for president held another debate this week, this time in advance of the South Carolina primary. Unlike a previous debate, employee ownership was not explicitly mentioned. Bret Keisling looks at how some of the candidates are discussing EO, even if they don’t use the words or realize they’re doing it.

You can read the full linked transcript of this episode on our website: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-72-an-eo-look-at-another-debate

The audio clips from the February 25, 2020 Democratic Party Debate were quoted from the CBS News coverage of the public debate per 17 U.S.C. § 107: Fair Use. We provide the link to the full original source material on our website.

We reach deep into our archives back to Ep 2 and bring you our first podcast interview with Matt Hancock. Matt Hancock, MBA, is a Principal at Praxis Consulting Group [www.praxiscg.com], where he assists clients in developing and implementing high-engagement workforce strategies. Matt brings fifteen years of domestic and global experience in education, employee ownership and change management to the team. His key competencies include leadership development, building high performance ownership cultures, process improvement, vision, strategy and governance.

You can read the full, linked transcript of today's episode at our website: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/102-icymi-matt-hancock-of-praxis-cg

History was made earlier this week when employee ownership was discussed at the Democratic presidential debate on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. In today's episode, Bret Keisling discusses this important milestone and asks whether 19+ million television viewers saw employee ownership at its best.

Read the full transcript of today's episode on our website: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-71-eo-and-the-democratic-debate

The audio clips from the February 19, 2020 Democratic Party Debate were quoted from the NBC/MSNBC Coverage of the public debate, per 17 U.S.C. § 107: Fair Use. We provide the link to the full original source material on our website.

Bob “Crocodile” Lile of The Lile Art Gallery [http://lilegallery.com/] on Route 66 in Amarillo, TX is an amazing artist and businessman dedicated to keeping the historic Route 66 spirit alive. Originally run in two parts, on Episodes 44 & 45 of The ESOP Mini-cast, today’s episode combines both into one enjoyable conversation, about business, history, and passion with an amazing guest.

Links and more information about this and other episodes are available on our website: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/101-bob-crocodile-lile-the-business-culture-of-route-66