thank you to our sponsors

8:30am – REGISTRATION & EARLY NETWORKING        
Coffee and continental breakfast are provided.
 

9:00am – WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS                       

Mark Adams, Sebago Technics & Shawn Moody, Moody’s Co-Worker Owned     

9:10am – Sponsor Presentation                   
 

9:30am – KEYNOTE  
(Priscilla Hansen Mahoney, Business Coach for Contractors at Blazing Trails Coaching)

Mapping Out Your Employee Journey - Create a path to success to attract, engage and retain top talent.

 

10:30am – 11:15am - SESSION I
 

• Succession Planning                                            
  (Fran Liautaud – Maine Drilling & Blasting)
  Focuses on strategies for advancing within your organization and planning your career trajectory. The session will cover effective methods for climbing the corporate ladder, setting career goals, and creating a clear progression path, helping participants prepare for future leadership roles and ensure a successful career growth plan. [Leadership Track]

 

• Valuation 201                                                        
  (Jade Palermo – Empire Evaluation and Moody’s Co-Worker Owned)  
  This session explores advanced business valuation techniques for ESOPs. Building on basic principles, it covers market comparisons, financial forecasting, and the impact of different valuation methods on ESOP transactions, helping attendees determine fair stock value and manage valuation outcomes effectively. [Technical Track]

 

• ESOP Committees                                                    
  (Lynne Kelly - Mainely Tubs, Chris Moody - Moody’s Co-Worker Owned)  
  A panel-style discussion designed to guide you through the process of establishing and maintaining an ESOP committee in your organization. The session will cover key stages from initial setup to ensuring long-term sustainability. Panelists will share insights on structuring the committee, defining roles and responsibilities, and best practices for fostering effective committee operations. Join us to learn how to build a successful ESOP committee that supports your company’s ESOP goals. [Communications Track]

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11:20am – 12:05pm - SESSION II
 

• What’s Happening in the Legal Landscape         
  (Ed Feibel – EatonPeabody)
  This session offers an in-depth look at the latest legal developments impacting ESOPs, including a focus on the implications of Secure 2.0. This session will cover recent legislative changes, regulatory updates, and legal trends that affect ESOP operations and compliance. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these changes could influence their ESOP strategy and what steps they can take to stay compliant in a rapidly evolving legal environment.  [Leadership Track]

 

• Sustainability                                                           
  (Tasha Gardner – Sargent and Eric Tennyson – Systems Engineering, and Rick Leonard – Cianbro. Moderated by Spinnaker Trust)
  “Sustainability” examines the long-term challenges and strategies for maintaining a successful ESOP. This session will address critical issues such as managing repurchase obligations, diversification strategies, and ensuring the longevity of the ESOP. Panelists will also explore common obstacles that arise 6-10 years after ESOP establishment and offer practical solutions to navigate these challenges, ensuring the ongoing health and effectiveness of your ESOP.  [Technical Track]

• Information Sharing 
  (Kelly Samson-Rickert & Eddie Atkins – Pack Edge Inc., Patrick Chamberlain and Caitlin Harrington – Allen Insurance and Financial)
  This interactive session is designed to foster open dialogue and knowledge sharing among participants through a dynamic round-table format. Each table will focus on a specific topic related to ESOP communications, such as initiating an ESOP committee, recognizing employee achievements, promoting the ESOP culture, and leveraging social media. This format encourages participation from all attendees, making it an engaging and valuable opportunity to learn from peers and share innovative ideas to strengthen ESOP practices. [Communications Track]

 

12:10pm – 1:00pm - LUNCH
(Networking & visit with vendors)

12:55pm – Sponsor Presentation

 

1:15pm – 2:00pm - SESSION III
 

• Cost Containment/Sustainability                   
  (Amy Tardiff – J.S. McCarthy)
  Focuses on strategies to manage rising costs while ensuring long-term sustainability for your organization. This session will delve into the benefits and challenges of self-insured health insurance plans for employers of all sizes. Attendees will gain insights into how to effectively contain costs, navigate compliance, and maintain a sustainable benefits program that supports both the company and its employees. [Leadership Track]

 

• Governance, Responsibility, & Fiduciary Issues 
  (Tabitha Croscut – Devine Millimet)
  Provides a comprehensive look at how financial decisions are made within an ESOP and who holds responsibility. This session will explain the roles of internal and external Boards of Directors/Trustees (BOD/BOT), helping employees understand the decision-making processes that often occur behind the scenes. Participants will learn when and how they can voice their opinions and engage in governance matters, ensuring transparency and empowering employees to be informed and active participants in their ESOP. [Technical Track]

 

• Onboarding                                       
  (Mary Kozicki LaFontaine – Sebago Technics, Jen Hughes – Systems Engineering, Katherine Penley – Knickerbocker Group. Moderated by Dave Vasconcelos – ProSearch)
  Focuses on integrating new employees into an ESOP culture, especially in a hybrid work environment. This session will cover how to set clear expectations from the start of the onboarding process and strategies for keeping the ESOP culture vibrant and engaging. Attendees will learn best practices for communicating the value of employee ownership, fostering connection among remote and in-office employees, and ensuring that the ESOP culture thrives from day one. [Communications Track]

 

2:05pm – CLOSING REMARKS                                      

(Vendor raffles)