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Workshop on Business Succession and Employee Ownership Coming to Gardener’s Supply in Burlington, Vermont on Dec. 5

News Story: 

VEOC is offering a free workshop entitled “Selling to the Employees: Employee Ownership as a Path for Business Succession” on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 from 2 to 5 PM in Gardener's Supply Company's administrative offices, 128 Intervale Road in Burlington, Vermont.  Founded in 1983, Gardener’s Supply Company serves millions of gardeners nationwide, and is 100% employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). 

VEOC staff will provide a brief overview of ownership succession options, and will focus on the pros and cons of different forms of employee ownership, including their key financial and organizational benefits.  Don Baker, Senior Vice President and Manager of the Commercial Banking Group for KeyBank in Vermont, will discuss financing for ownership succession.  The story of employee ownership at Gardener’s Supply will be told by Cindy Turcot, the company's Chief Operating Officer.  Dunbar Oehmig, President and one of the founders of Red House Building, will describe that company’s worker co-op structure and culture. 

The event is co-sponsored by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Small Business Development Center.  Refreshments will be served. 

There is no registration fee, but advance registration is required.  Enrollment is limited to 18!  For more information, please call the VEOC at 802-321-8362.  To register, please click here.