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?

The program will illustrate these transactions using examples of the different ways companies have used ESOPs.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the program, the audience should have a basic understanding about ESOPs, how they work and their differences among other stock sale alternatives.
• Owners will be better able to assess whether or not an ESOP helps accomplish their personal, financial and business objectives.