ESOPs 101: A Panel on Employee Stock Ownership Plan Basics

Your company and its shareholders can take advantage of many benefits through the use of an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). The decision to adopt and implement an ESOP requires careful analysis and teamwork. Join ESOP experts from Boulay, Bankers Trust and Prairie Capital Advisors for a breakfast panel to learn the basics of ESOPs and how this ownership structure can benefit you and your employees. TOPICS INCLUDE: INTRODUCTION TO ESOP * Overview of ESOPs * How to Structure an ESOP * Who is a Candidate for an ESOP? * Pros and Cons of an ESOP ESOP TRANSACTIONS * Overview of an ESOP Transaction * Valuation Methodology * Impact of Projections * Negotiation Process * Financing Structure * Lifecycle of an ESOP HOW TO GET STARTED * ESOP Feasibility Study * Quality of Financial Statements * Engage Professional Service Providers FEATURING: DAN MARKOWITZ, PARTNER AT BOULAY Dan leads the firm’s ESOP practice and specializes in audit, consulting, and accounting services for clients in a wide variety of industries. Dan is proactive in helping his clients with their ESOP planning and administrative services and leads the audit, tax and accounting engagements for partial and 100% owned ESOP Companies. He develops ESOP consulting solutions to drive an ownership culture, long-term repurchase obligation strategies, compensation and incentive compensation strategies, and repurchase obligation studies. HILLARY HUGHES, DIRECTOR AT PRAIRIE CAPITAL ADVISORS Hillary provides strategic insights to assist business owners and board of directors to address long term ownership transaction goals. She has been highly involved in the structuring and valuation related to ESOPs on behalf of ESOP Trustees and business owners. Hillary has provided financial advisory services to clients ranging from small family owned businesses to large multi-national conglomerates. She specializes in the valuation of businesses and business interests for purposes of M&A, ESOPs, gift and estate planning, and strategic planning. JOE DEJONG, MANAGING DIRECTOR - ESOP FINANCE / SENIOR COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGER AT BANKERS TRUST Joe joined Bankers Trust as Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer in December 2008. Prior to joining Bankers Trust, Joe spent four years in the Business Banking division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Beginning in 2013, Joe began serving as the Managing Director of ESOP Finance and works with middle market companies in the structuring and financing of ESOP plans throughout the Midwest.