About the Community Conversations
Community Conversations are free and open to our community and the general public and focus on timely employee ownership topics. These talks bring experts to the fore, connecting the employee ownership world more broadly while keeping our members, stakeholders, and other interested parties informed on important issues.
Join us for our first Community Conversation of 2022 Finding (And Keeping!) Employee-Owners
The Great Resignation has left many organizations searching for new employees. During this time, employee-owned businesses are in a unique position. EO Business can attract talented people by highlighting the employee-ownership culture and the personal financial benefit of employee-ownership. This conversation will cover ways that the financial benefits can be both an attractor and retainer of employees, how organizations can better leverage their employee-focused offerings, and the best way to recruit new owners.
Additional Resources
Employee Ownership, Corporate Performance, and Employee Compensation
Employee Ownership: Building a Better American Economy
Using Employee Ownership to Recruit New Employees
Working at an ESOP - Language for your recruitment landing page
ESOP Communications Sourcebook
Great Ideas on Ownership Culture (featuring panelist Katie Coulson's "Stay Interview")
Owners Manual by employee-owned Butler/Till
Panelists
Kristin Stapleton, Radian Research, Inc.
Kristin has helped over one thousand leaders in both public and private sectors, including law enforcement, education, professional organizations, small businesses and, major corporations. Through personal coaching and leadership development, Kristin teaches communication, empathy, and feedback to elevate team performance. Her understanding of
human behavior empowers organizations to identify and work through factors underlying resistance to change at the individual level.
As Director of Culture and Growth for Radian Research, Kristin is a culture champion, ensuring a work environment that is engaging, participative and empowers employees to be their best and grow in their role. A positive work culture attracts top talent, makes them want to stay, and fosters an environment for employee growth and superior customer satisfaction.
Katie Coulson, Kwest Group
Katie Coulson is the Director of Human Resources at Kwest Group where she is responsible for overseeing the team member life cycle including recruiting, onboarding, benefits, retention (re-recruiting), performance management, coaching, succession planning, and strategic partnerships. Her 17 years of experience includes representing Human Resource departments in multiple functional roles for small, medium, and large employers. She has worked with organizations in transition alternatives including ESOPs and acquisitions. She has her Bachelor of Business Communication with Human Resources concentration. Katie has served in numerous volunteer positions for non-profit organizations.
Kevin Mauger, NCC Automated Systems
As President, Kevin Mauger leads new business growth and product development strategy to help customers increase profitability. NCC offers business units that provide product handling and integration solutions to a variety of industries including food, packaging, assembly automation, and optical labs. Mauger started his career with NCC days after his college graduation in 1994 in the Applications Engineering department. In 2006, he purchased the company, instilled a new philosophy, and has grown the company six times over since. His vision for NCC is to create a positive and inspiring culture for both employees and customers.
Mauger is a life-long Pennsylvanian. His childhood home was in Chalfont, PA and he graduated from Central Bucks High School West and attended the University of Delaware. He currently resides in Lower Gwynedd, PA with his wife Danielle. He has three children: Kyle (29), Madison (25), and Kelsey (20).
Melvin DeLacerda, Johnny's Pizza House, Inc.
Melvin Delacerda started working at a Johnny's Pizza House restaurant in his home town while still in high school in 1978. At the time, the north Louisiana restaurant chain had 6 locations. After graduating, he moved into management as the chain began to grow. Melvin advanced within the ranks while pursuing a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration and eventually earned the position of President and CEO in 2004. Meanwhile, the company grew to 39 corporate and 9 franchise locations in 3 states.
Melvin helped establish the company's ESOP since its inception in 2000 and remains involved in all aspects of the plan, now the 100% owner of Johnny's Pizza House, Inc. His top priority is preparing the next generation of leaders to continue the success of the company and the ESOP.