The Inside Scoop on ESOPs (#51)

Host of the Maximize Business Value Podcast, Tom Bronson, is joined in this episode by Jason Luter, Attorney with Faegre Drinker, who specializes in employee stock ownership plans or ESOPs. The two discuss ESOP basics including what it is, the fiduciary standards and how it differs from other exit planning options. Tom emphasizes one of the biggest benefits is that it’s an internal transaction, so the transition process can happen smoothly. Listen now to get the inside scoop on ESOPs!Jason Luter offers a direct approach and matter-of-fact counsel on all aspects of employee benefits, executive compensation and transactional matters with Faegre Drinker. Fortune 500 and privately held companies, private equity groups, middle-market and emerging growth and venture capital companies all turn to Jason for trusted counsel on employee benefit plan design, deferred compensation plans, cash- and equity-based incentive plans, and severance arrangements. He also advises on tax qualification, error correction, fiduciary responsibility, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), and employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of corporate transactions, in addition to litigation involving the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Jason guides clients in ESOP transactions, including seller-financed and leveraged and non leveraged buyouts as part of ownership succession transactions.Tom Bronson is the founder and President of Mastery Partners, a company that helps business owners maximize business value, design exit strategy, and transition their business on their terms. Mastery utilizes proven techniques and strategies that dramatically improve business value that was developed during Tom’s career 100 business transactions as either a business buyer or seller. As a business owner himself, he has been in your situation a hundred times, and he knows what it takes to craft the right strategy. Bronson is passionate about helping business owners and has the experience to do it. Want to chat more or think Tom can help you?  Reach out at [email protected] or check out his book, Maximize Business Value, Begin with The Exit in Mind (2020).Mastery Partners, where our mission is to equip business owners to Maximize Business Value so they can transition their business on their terms.  Our mission was born from the lessons we’ve learned from over 100 business transactions, which fuels our desire to share our experiences and wisdom so you can succeed.#MasteryPartners #MaximizeBusinessValuePodcastMastery PartnersElevating Businesses to Achieve The Business Owner’s Dream Exit The unfortunate reality is that for every business that comes on the market (for whatever reason), only 17% of them achieve a successful exit. You read that right. 83% of attempted business transitions never reach the closing table. Mastery Partners is on a mission to change that. We ELEVATE businesses to achieve maximum value and reach that dream exit.Our objectives are simple - understand where the business is today, identify opportunities for dramatic improvement, and offer solutions to enhance the business, making it more marketable and valuable. And that all starts with understanding the business owner’s definition of his or her dream exit.  Mastery has developed a 4-Step Process to help business owners achieve their dreams.STEP 1: Transition Readiness Assessment STEP 2: Roadmap for Value Acceleration STEP 3: Relentless Execution STEP 4: Decision: Now that desired results are achieved, the business is ready for the next step in the journey!CONNECT WITH MASTERY PARTNERS TO LEARN MORELinkedInWebsite© 2025 Mastery Partners, LLC.