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Panel Proposals

Repurchase Obligation and Sustainability

Maximizing Employee Ownership: Strategies for New, 5-Year, and 10-Year-plus ESOPs

Thursday, April 9, 2026
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM CDT
Location: Baird Ballroom B
CE: 1
CE Type: CPE, SHRM
Education Level: For All Levels
ESOPs face different issues depending on the stage of the ESOP. This session is intended to be useful to the full spectrum of attendees that are representing brand new ESOPs all the way to mature ESOPs. New ESOPs need to focus on ESOP culture and getting employees to think like owners. Five-year-old ESOPs may be faced with cash management and refinancing opportunities. Maturing ESOPs encounter the serious issues of sustainability, repurchase obligations, and possibly growing through acquisitions. The topics discussed will be covered at a high level and audience interaction will be highly encouraged throughout the presentation.

NCEO Publication: Sustainable ESOPs

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe what new ESOPs (1–5 years) should prioritize. Educate employees and get them to think like owners. Is a management succession plan in place? Is corporate governance represented with the right board structure?
  2. Analyze what opportunities 5- to 10-year-old ESOPs should consider. Is the plan design appropriate or are amendments needed? Is it time to refinance seller notes? Should we be recycling or redeeming shares?
  3. Describe what issues maturing ESOPs should (and must) be thinking about. Is our ESOP sustainable? Has there been sufficient planning to be able to fund the repurchase obligation? Will the ESOP benefit by making acquisitions?