100% Employee-Owned: The ESOP Playbook for Contractors episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 21, 2026 · 30 MIN

100% Employee-Owned: The ESOP Playbook for Contractors

from The Intelligent Builder · host Owen Gagne

Dave Wageman is the new CEO of Hometown Restyling, a nearly 40-year remodeler in Eastern Iowa that just became 100% employee-owned. We unpack why they chose employee ownership over private equity, what changes when every employee becomes an owner, and how they're setting up for growth as leadership transitions through 2026-2027. We also get tactical on their operating system: doubling down on EOS, their lead engine, and how smart remodelers stay resilient when housing and politics get noisy.

Dave Wageman is the new CEO of Hometown Restyling, a nearly 40-year remodeler in Eastern Iowa that just became 100% employee-owned. We unpack why they chose employee ownership over private equity, what changes when every employee becomes an owner, and how they're setting up for growth as leadership transitions through 2026-2027. We also get tactical on their operating system: doubling down on EOS, their lead engine, and how smart remodelers stay resilient when housing and politics get noisy.

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100% Employee-Owned: The ESOP Playbook for Contractors

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How long is this episode of The Intelligent Builder?

This episode is 30 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 21, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Dave Wageman is the new CEO of Hometown Restyling, a nearly 40-year remodeler in Eastern Iowa that just became 100% employee-owned. We unpack why they chose employee ownership over private equity, what changes when every employee becomes an owner,...

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