Blue Ridge ESOP Associates Industry News

The US economy added 209,000 jobs in July, dropping the unemployment rate to 4.3%, the lowest level in sixteen years. It’s no secret that it’s getting more difficult to recruit and retain employees. Employee ownership gives you a clear advantage against the competition, but only if you effectively communicate its benefits to current and potential employees.

Here’s three practical ideas you can integrate into your written, electronic, video, and face-to-face communications to gain the employee ownership’s recruitment and retention dividends.

Topics: ESOP Communications

The 2017 Multi-State Conference - PA/DE and NY/NJ Chapters will be September 13-15, 2017. Due to high demand, you must act quickly as registration will close this Friday, September 8. At this conference, stop by our table to visit with our professionals. You will have the opportunity to hear Jon Williams speak Thursday morning about "Basic ESOP Distribution Rules" which will provide attendees a refresher course in the options and requirements for making distribution payments. You will also have the opportunity to hear Renee Stadtmueller speak Thursday afternoon regarding "How a Repurchase Obligation Study Can Help You Optimize your ESOP" which will discuss how you can use the repurchase study tool to help you make educated decisions as you develop your strategy for managing the ESOP.

Topics: ESOP Administration, Distributions, Conferences

The National Center for Employee Ownership hosts live webinars throughout the year for ESOP companies. Blue Ridge ESOP Associates' professional, Kevin Rusch, will be presenting next Wednesday, August 29.

Topics: Repurchase Obligation

The 2017 Midwest ESOP Conference will be September 7-8, 2017. Due to high demand, you must act quickly as registration will close this Friday, August 18. At this conference, stop by our booth to visit with our professionals. You will also have the opportunity to hear  Pam Themar speak at the session ESOP Essentials: Basic ESOP Administration which will cover the basic overview of plan administration; covering eligibility, allocation activity, vesting requirements, compliance testing, distributions and reporting requirements.

Topics: ESOP Administration, Distributions, Conferences

The Heart of America's 18th Annual Fall ESOP Conference is coming up next week! There is still time today to register with the early bird discount here. At this conference, you will have the opportunity to hear Anthony Brunsvold present at one of the sessions about The "4 R's" ~ Reshuffling, Redeeming, Rebalancing & Releveraging. In this advanced session, experienced practitioners will explain the mechanics and consequences of the "4 R's".

Topics: Distributions, Dividend Rules, Diversification, Conferences

The Ohio Employee Ownership Center is hosting a series of webinars for ESOP companies. Blue Ridge ESOP Associates' professional, Kevin Rusch, will be presenting next Wednesday, August 23.

Topics: Repurchase Obligation

What is an ESOP? Know a company owner looking for an exit strategy as they face retirement age? What kind of business is right for an ESOP? How does an employee benefit from an ESOP? These questions and many others are answered in Tom Roback's interview which is now available to listen to online. 

Topics: ESOP Administration

The Ohio/Kentucky Thoroughbred ESOP Conference is coming up in August. There is still time to register with the early bird discount here. At this conference, you will have the opportunity to hear Renee Stadtmueller present at the following session about The Three D's of ESOPs: Distributions, Diversification, and Dividends. This session will address the: 1) timing and form of ESOP Distributions; 2) statutory Diversification rules; and, 3) special treatment of Dividends in ESOPs from a legal and administrative perspective. The three "D"s of ESOPS pertain to all ESOP companies and attendees will gain insight and a better understanding of this aspect of their plan's administration.

Topics: Distributions, Dividend Rules, Diversification, Conferences