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In the 1960s and 1970s, underfunded pension plans garnered a great deal of public attention.

We often get questions from employees that start off with “why can’t I...?” These questions focus on additional rights employees would like to have and are based on the idea that if you are an owner, you ought to have certain rights.

There are different types of committees, the first most commonly known as the ESOP committee or ESOP administration committee. This committee is typically appointed by the board of directors and delegated the responsibility to oversee the day-to-day operations of the plan.

In September 2023, I had the opportunity to sit down with Kerry Siggins, the CEO of StoneAge Inc., a fast-growing manufacturing company. Under Kerry’s leadership, StoneAge, a 100% ESOP-owned manufacturer of water-blasting tools in Durango, CO, has grown tremendously. Following Kerry and StoneAge’s example of developing an ownership mindset, individuals can elevate themselves from being mere paycheck players to becoming top performers in their field.

It is often said that the ESOP alone does not create engagement or better business results, but that companies need to be intentional about creating practices that build culture and lead to better engagement.

As a former employee-owner myself, I understand the challenges in getting up to speed on ESOP mechanics—what it is, how it works, and the benefits, especially as a new employee-owner.

At the NCEO’s Annual Conference in April, Amanda Clark from Black & Veatch, a 100% ESOP-owned engineering company with operations in the US and abroad, led a robust session in which she shared several engaging, innovative, and interactive ways to educate on and celebrate employee ownership.

A few weeks ago, at the NCEO’s 2023 Fall Forum, I had the chance to attend my former colleague Dallan Guzinski’s session entitled “Eliminating Fear and Insecurity in Your Organization: Leadership Strategies for Improving the Lives of Workers In and Out of the Workplace.” In this post-COVID-19 age, when the worker experience is at the forefront of people’s minds, I could see no topic more apropos for discussion.

Engagement is a critical component of any ownership culture—and what often helps to create a competitive advantage at employee-owned companies.

NCEO Employee Ownership Stock Index Continues to Beat Market Returns