On March 1, James Bonham will become the CEO of the ESOP Association and president of its associated nonprofit, the Employee Ownership Foundation. In the press release, David Fitz-Gerald, chair of the ESOP Association's board, said, "Jim has a long and successful track record of high-level, transformational leadership advising some of the most widely recognized companies and leaders in the nation....[and he] is well-versed in the legislative and regulatory priorities of ESOPs and our members." Previously, Bonham was the chair of public policy and government relations at Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips, LLP, a nationally recognized law and business consulting firm.

The current CEO of the ESOP Association is Michael Keeling, who will be retiring. Keeling has been the CEO of the ESOP Association for 28 of the Association's 41 years, and during that time the Association has thrived. Under Keeling's leadership, the ESOP Association established a chapter program that has expanded dramatically, brought thousands of employee-owners to Washington, DC, to meet their elected officials, and educated many tens of thousands of individuals about the power and potential of employee ownership. An inspiring speaker, Keeling was the Association's in-house expert and lobbyist, and he traveled the country tirelessly to visit ESOP-owned companies, participate in chapter meetings, and build deep relations with thought leaders, policy makers, academics, and journalists.

The NCEO and all employee ownership advocates owe Michael a debt of gratitude. We will never repay it, but we will continue to build on his work.