2023 NCEO Annual Employee Ownership Conference

ESOP attorneys Chelsea McCarthy, Lindsey Camp, Renee Lewis and Grant McCorkhill will each speak on a panel at the 2023 NCEO Annual Employee Ownership Conference in Kansas City. This conference will bring together professionals in the employee ownership community to network and learn from one another. 

Managing Conflicts of Interest with the Board of Directors
Chelsea McCarthy | Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. CST | Location: 2208

This discussion will explore the importance of addressing board conflicts of interest in the context of real-world situations. Panelists will also discuss best practices for identifying, documenting and addressing conflicts in special situations that require careful consideration. Participants will:

• learn how to identify a conflict of interest and why it’s important to know they exist
• understand how to minimize conflicts
• recognize special situations that may require greater caution and consideration

Board Fiduciary Duties and Risk Mitigation
Lindsey Camp | Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. CST | Location: 2202

This presentation is designed to help attendees learn the various roles and responsibilities of parties involved in ESOP-owned companies, develop an understanding of the current trends in ESOP litigation impacting board members and pinpoint various ways to minimize the risk associated with ESOP litigation. Participants will:

• learn the various roles and responsibilities of parties involved in ESOP-owned companies
• develop an understanding of the current trends in ESOP litigation impacting board members
• identify various ways to minimize risk associated with ESOP litigation

Living in a Consolidating Industry – What Your Governance Structure Needs to Consider
Renee Lewis | Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. CST | Location: 2207

This panel will discuss the considerations for, and how to navigate, staying employee-owned within a consolidating industry from the perspective of the ESOP trustee, legal counsel, valuation professional and independent board member. Participants will: 

• understand the duties of corporate officers to report unsolicited offers to the board of directors
• learn the duties of boards of directors in reviewing and responding to unsolicited offers
• discover strategies to remain employee-owned

Investment Policy Statements – What Are They and Why Do We Need One?
Grant McCorkhill | Thursday, April 27, 2023 | 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. CST | Location: 2202

This panel will unpack what an investment policy statement should contain and where it should apply to your ESOP. Participants will:

• appreciate the value of having an investment policy statement for their ESOP company and for the ESOP plan
• understand what should and should not be included in an investment policy statement
• know the risks of not having an investment policy statement when investing on behalf of an ESOP company or plan