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Panel Proposals

Repurchase Obligation and Sustainability

ESOP Trivia Challenge: Turning Obligations Into Opportunities

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM CDT
Location: 106
CE: 1
CE Type: CPE, SHRM
Education Level: For All Levels
This interactive session transforms one of the most complex aspects of employee ownership into a dynamic, engaging learning experience.

Guided by moderator Brian Eagle, managing attorney at Eagle & Fein, P.C., attendees will participate in a gameshow-style Q & A challenge where three subject-matter experts lead categories aligned with their areas of expertise: corporate finance, ESOP trust strategy, and valuation Insights. Each “round” will feature real-world scenarios, thought-provoking questions, and practical examples that help attendees deepen their understanding of how to anticipate, fund, and manage repurchase obligations strategically.

The categories will consist of topics and prompts provided by three professionals and their areas of expertise:
• Joshua Young will address funding on the corporate balance sheet, examining how companies can integrate repurchase forecasting into long-term liquidity planning, leverage corporate assets effectively, and align debt structures or investment portfolios to balance growth with shareholder commitments.
• Thomas Totten will explore funding within the ESOP trust, outlining how cash reserves, internal loan strategies, and proactive repurchase reserve mechanisms can be managed inside the trust to meet participant distribution needs while minimizing strain on the sponsor company.
• Ian Holloman will speak to valuation perspective and how accurate forecasting, demographic analysis, and valuation modeling directly influence repurchase projections.

Participants will leave with actionable insights to:
• Integrate repurchase planning into long-term financial and governance strategies
• Balance liquidity needs with employee ownership objectives
• Apply valuation and demographic modeling to guide funding decisions
• Foster collaboration among company leadership, trustees, and advisors

This innovative, game-inspired session blends education and interactivity to make complex financial strategy accessible, memorable, and even fun—turning repurchase obligations from a compliance challenge into a strategic advantage.

NCEO Resource: Repurchase Obligation Toolkit
NCEO Publication: The ESOP Repurchase Obligation Handbook

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how to integrate ESOP repurchase obligation forecasting into corporate balance sheet planning, enabling executives to align liquidity strategy, capital structure, and long-term employee ownership sustainability through disciplined financial modeling and proactive funding strategies.
  2. Examine funding mechanisms within the ESOP trust, including internal reserves, debt strategies, and distribution planning, to ensure liquidity readiness, minimize operational strain, and maintain fiduciary compliance during participant redemption cycles and ownership transitions.
  3. Evaluate how accurate valuation methodologies influence repurchase forecasting, funding policy, and overall ESOP sustainability by connecting demographic trends, company performance metrics, and future cash flow projections to actionable governance and financial decision-making.