May
7
to May 9

ESOP Association 2024 National Conference

This year’s ESOP Association National Conference theme is 2024 Focus: Total Communications: Building World-Class Engagement with Your Customers, Communities, & Employee Owners

Join us in the nation’s capital to meet with leading ESOP-owned companies, their owners as well as expert legal, transactional and valuation advisors to discuss the leading trends and developments related to Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

This three day event will combine education, advocacy and networking opportunities that serve to broaden the total number of employee owners in the United States.

To get a program overview for the event, as well as information about the venue, hotel and registration, click here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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2024 Annual Employee Ownership Conference
Apr
29
to May 1

2024 Annual Employee Ownership Conference

  • Tampa Convention Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

National Center for Employee Ownership invites you to attend its 2024 Annual Conference being held in sunny Tamp, FL.

Education: This event will give attendees autonomy to choose a learning pathway that is best suited to their areas of focus and address emerging trends that will drive employee-owned companies into the future. Education is at the core of this event and will offer over 60 separate panels and discussions.

Networking: The Annual Conference will host 1,800+ employee-owners, thought leaders, and service providers from across the globe meet, share ideas, learn, and collaborate to drive innovation in the employee ownership community. Come and experience never-before-experienced peer networking opportunities.

Look for Bob Massengill, Jim Higgins and Jim Junker to say hello and talk ESOPs!

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Sep
20
1:30 PM13:30

Exit Strategies Using ESOPs and Internal Buyouts

Pilot Hill Advisors is pleased to be hosting its 22nd online seminar for the American Counsel of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

This program, “Exit Strategies Using ESOPs and Internal Buyouts” is designed for professional service firms and will discuss a framework for considering the alternative strategies for transitioning privately-held stock focusing on the use of Employee Stock Ownership Plans and management buy-ins..

This webinar will discuss direct vs. beneficial ownership, governance, valuation requirements, financing sources, unique tax benefits and typical plan rules.  Using case studies, it will also describe the different strategies used by A/E firms using ESOPs. 

The program will also discuss how other equity plans are used in combination with ESOPs. 

Those attending will come to appreciate the flexibility of using ESOPs as well as its compatibility with other equity ownership structures. We will also address the unique tax advantages that come with ESOP transactions.

Click here to review the program and register.  This program is not limited to members of the ACEC so all are welcome.

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May
18
10:00 AM10:00

Mock Board Meeting: Making the Tough Decisions on Changing Trustees & Executives

Join Bob Massengill, Lee Bloom, Alex Moss and Cindy Turcot as they navigate a Mock Board Meeting at this year’s National ESOP Conference in Washington, DC.

This real-time mock Board Meeting focuses on the boundaries of Board authority, looking up to the Trustee level and down to the executive team. Which decisions are up to the Board, and how the board exercises appropriate influence. When and how should the Board consider changing ESOP Trustees and executive leadership, and how the Board’s role differs from the CEO. To what extent are these decisions guided by corporate bylaws, the ESOP Plan Document, and related governing docs.

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May
16
to May 18

ESOP Association National Conference

This year’s National ESOP Conference will host the nation’s leading ESOP-owned companies, their owners as well as expert legal, transactional and valuation advisors to discuss the leading trends and developments related to Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

This three day event will combine education, advocacy and networking opportunities that serve to broaden the total number of employee owners in the United States.

To register for this event, click here reach the ESOP Association’s event page and sign up for this excellent conference.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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May
10
8:30 AM08:30

Using Employee Stock Ownership Plans for Succession and Financial Planning

Come join Pilot Hill Advisors’ Bob Massengill and Lowenstein Sandler’s Andy Graw to talk about ownership succession and ESOPs.

This presentation will talk about how an ESOP may be used by an owner of a closely-held business to create liquidity in a tax efficient, confidential, and controlled manner. 

It will also discuss how an ESOP can be used in estate planning, and to transition ownership to management and/or children. 

The program is scheduled for May 10th and will be held at the offices of Lowenstein Sandler in Roseland, NJ.

Click here to fill out registration form for this free program.

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May
3
1:30 PM13:30

Exit Strategies Using ESOPs

Pilot Hill Advisors is pleased to be hosting its 21st online seminar for the American Counsel of Engineering Companies (ACEC). This program, “Exit Strategies Using ESOPs” is designed for professional firms of all types and will discuss a framework for considering the alternative strategies for transitioning privately-held stock focusing on the use of Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

Those attending this program will come away understanding:

  • ESOP Basics

  • ESOP Transaction Alternatives and Combinations

  • Valuation requirements and current multiples

  • Capital sources for ESOP transactions

  • Steps for evaluating and implementing an ESOP

Click on this link to connect to the ACEC education page on its website.

I encourage all those interested in learning more about the versatility and tax efficiency of using an ESOP to attend.

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Apr
26
2:45 PM14:45

The Effect of Turbulent Market Conditions on ESOP Transactions and Annual Valuations

Please join our own Jim Higgins, Patrice Radogna and Mike Flesch to hear the latest market conditions for ESOP transactions at this year’s NCEO Annual Employee Ownership Conference.

Today’s market conditions continue to display unprecedented swings and have created one of the most challenging environments to determine the valuation of privately held companies in recent history. Our session will include an interactive discussion and a deeper dive into the cause and effect of these factors. In addition, we will discuss the impact of these changing factors on the fair market value range of a company, which is essential in getting a new ESOP transaction completed (due to disconnects in expected purchase price versus fair market value) as well as the fair market value for ongoing valuations.

Times listed are Central Daylight hours.

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Nov
9
to Nov 11

National ESOP Confernce: ESOP Owned 2022

The principals of Pilot Hill Advisors will be joining our clients and fellow ESOP experts next week at the ESOP Association annual conference, “Employee Owned 2022” held in Las Vegas.

This event brings together over 2,000 people to learn more about ESOPs and network among fellow ESOP enthusiasts.  There are separate education tracks designed for internal trustees, leaders of ESOP companies, open roundtables and much more.

Come join us at this premier ESOP event to learn, network, socialize and have fun!

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Selling to an ESOP
Sep
15
1:30 PM13:30

Selling to an ESOP

Most people have the impression that selling stock to an ESOP limits the options for selling stock in other ways. Companies with partial ESOPs allow the non-ESOP shareholders to sell their remaining stock to whomever they want – senior management, private equity, strategic buyer or its existing ESOP. This session, “Selling to an ESOP” will cover the similarities and differences among these alternatives as well as cover some ESOP fundamentals. Topics will include:

  • Comparing the ESOP sale with other alternatives

  • Basic ESOP transaction structures and tax considerations

  • Valuation requirements and methodologies

  • Financing an ESOP transaction

  • Corporate governance in an ESOP company

  • Basic ESOP plan rules and employee payouts

  • Is my firm right for an ESOP?

Join Bob Massengill in his 20th ESOP webinar for members and guests of the American Counsel of Engineering Companies. While the program uses engineering firm case studies, it is relevant for any company considering an ESOP.

Click here for more information and to register.

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Sep
12
to Sep 14

Pilot Hill Advisors Attending the Multistate ESOP Conference

Pilot Hill Advisors will be attending this year’s multi-state ESOP conference being held in Hershey, PA.

This collaborative regional chapter event is hosted by the NY, NJ and PA Chapters of The ESOP Association.  

The exciting agenda will allow you to walk away more enlightened and have a significant amount of information to share with your fellow ESOP members.

Come to the event to learn more about ESOPs and share ideas with others.

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Apr
25
to Apr 27

Capital Strategies and M&A Forum

Join successful A/E/C firms at this year’s Capital Strategies and M&A Forum at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. Pilot Hill Advisors is pleased to co-sponsor this Matheson Advisors event for the 10th year.

The interactive program will present strategies and opportunities that your firm can utilize in today’s market to build shareholder value.

We will also provide a current assessment of the M&A markets and capital formation strategies and will help you evaluate and execute successful programs, such as M&A financing, private equity, leadership and ownership transitions, and ESOPs

Finally, there will be several networking opportunities to visit with CEOs and CFOs from some of the largest A/E firms nationwide.

To learn more, click here to reach the Matheson Advisors website.

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Apr
25
to Apr 28

NCEO Annual ESOP Conference

National Center for Employee Ownership invites you to attend its 2022 Annual Conference being held in Seattle, WA.

Education: This event will give attendees autonomy to choose a learning pathway that is best suited to their areas of focus and address emerging trends that will drive employee-owned companies into the future. Education is at the core of this event and will offer over 60 separate panels and discussions.

Networking: The Annual Conference will host 1,800+ employee-owners, thought leaders, and service providers from across the globe meet, share ideas, learn, and collaborate to drive innovation in the employee ownership community. Come and experience never-before-experienced peer networking opportunities.

Look for Jim Higgins and Jim Junker to say hello and talk ESOPs!

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Apr
20
1:30 PM13:30

Engineering Firms & ESOPs - Perfect Together

Bob Massengill has been invited to lead another ESOP webinar for the ACEC entitled, “Engineering Firms & ESOPs - Perfect Together.”

This program will discuss ESOP transactions, ownership structures, governance and control of ESOP companies, tax efficiencies, and how ESOPs are used alone and in combination with other techniques for internal ownership transition plans.  The primary areas of discussion will include the motivations for using an ESOP, typical transition structures, and valuation insights. 

 ·        What is an ESOP and how does it work?

·        Governance and Leadership in ESOP companies

·        Transaction examples

·        Benefits to sellers and employees

·        Valuation basics and requirements

·        Financing for ESOP transactions

·        State licensing requirements

Mr. Massengill will also provide commentary on valuation multiple ranges and current financing conditions, and discuss how to evaluate the ESOP in the context of a company’s overall retirement plan package for employees.

 Participants will gain a fundamental understanding of ESOPs and ESOP transactions, as well as the various tax advantages used today by many A/E firms across the country.They will also see how ESOPs can be used in combination with other ownership transition strategies to accomplish a variety of goals, simultaneously.

To learn more and register for this program, click here for the ACEC website.

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Nov
10
to Nov 12

Employee Owned 2021

Come join the principals of Pilot Hill Advisors in Las Vegas at this year’s ESOP Association’s national conference.

Employee Owned 2021 is a hybrid ESOP Conference built to help you adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. The pandemic, government regulations, supply chain issues, the list of obstacles to optimally running your ESOP goes on and on. We are here to help. Through insightful speakers, innovative ideas, the latest industry updates, technical content you can trust, and a focus on current events, Employee Owned 2021 will prepare you and your ESOP to march confidently into 2022.

The two day event is filled with panel discussions covering every topic from feasibility analysis, transaction alternatives, financing, regulatory updates, communication strategies and other relevant ESOP topics.

To learn more and register click here to reach the ESOP Association website.

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Sep
21
1:30 PM13:30

ESOPs and Ownership Transition: Pros & Cons

Join us on Tuesday, September 21st  for an in depth discussion about Employee Stock Ownership Plans and ownership transition. 

ESOPs have been used by the owners of A|E firms for over forty years as both a partial buyout technique as well as a total buyout strategy. They have also been used in combination with other transition strategies. 

This program will discuss the myths, misconceptions and realities of using an ESOP as a buyer of stock.

Topics to be covered include ESOP Fundamentals such as ownership structure, governance, valuation and common transaction structures.  We will also discuss the between traditional M&A transactions and ESOPs so participants and assess best fit for them. Finally, we will discuss topics of particular to the A|E world.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of ESOP fundamentals and develop a better understanding whether and how an ESOP can play a part of their firm’s ownership transition strategy.

This program is being hosted by the American Council of Engineering Companies and anyone is welcome to attend.  To learn more about the program and register, click here.

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2021 Capital Strategies Forum
Jun
7
to Jun 9

2021 Capital Strategies Forum

Join us at the 2021 Matheson Capital Strategies Forum in Dallas/Ft Worth.

This two day conference will discuss capital and M&A strategies that your company can utilize in today’s market to build shareholder value.

The program will provide a current assessment of the M&A markets and capital formation strategies and will help you evaluate and execute successful programs, such as M&A financing, private equity, leadership and ownership transitions, and ESOPs.

The two-day event brings the executive leaders of architecture, enegineering and construction companies together for an interactive discussion on how to approach various corporate growth strategies.

To learn more about this year’s forum and register, click here.

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Engineering Firms & ESOPs
Mar
23
1:30 PM13:30

Engineering Firms & ESOPs

Pilot Hill Advisors is pleased to host its 17th webcast for the ACEC.

This webcast will discuss the primary uses for ESOPs; how ESOP stock transaction work, valuation requirements; governance in ESOP companies, financing sources and integrating an ESOP with other equity ownership transition plans.

After completing this program, participants will gain a practical understanding of ESOP design, transaction basics, governance as well as the various tax advantages used today by many engineering firms across the country.

More information can be found using this ACEC link.

Presenter: Robert E. Massengill, Managing Director, Pilot Hill Advisors

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Behinds the Scenes at a Compensation Committee Meeting
Nov
12
4:00 PM16:00

Behinds the Scenes at a Compensation Committee Meeting

Join Bob Massengill at this year’s national ESOP conference, ESOP 2020: Resilience and Renewal virtual conference. As an independent, outside director and former compensation chairman of a large, 100% ESOP-owned company, he and his fellow panelists will offer insights in to the compensation committee process and reveal:

“What goes on during the Compensation Committee meeting for an ESOP Company Board of Directors?”

This session features a live, interactive, robust "mock Compensation Committee meeting." You will get an over-the-shoulder view of how a Compensation Committee can operate; the role of the Compensation Chair in setting the agenda and running the meeting; and the benefit of having active, informed board members engaged in the full range of compensation and benefit discussions.

To learn more about the event and session, click here.

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