Mills James, a comprehensive creative media production company based out of Columbus, Ohio has made an animated film explaining how their Employee Stock Ownership Plan (and how ESOPs in general) work. Mills James employs about 150 employees and specializes in the following areas: Teleproduction, Broadcast Production, Business Video, Meetings & Events, Web Interactive and Original TV Productions.
To read more about Mills James and their ESOP, you can visit their website here.
Free 90-Minute Webinar for Business Owners, CFOs & Advisors
Strong companies are using ESOPs to play offense. With rates stabilizing and talent still tight, employee ownership is delivering a durable edge:
Bottom line: ESOPs create a rare win‑win‑win—for owners, the business, and employees.
ESOP 101—Modern Playbook
How ESOPs work in 2026, who qualifies, deal structures, and timelines.
Tax Strategies that Change the Math
Capital‑gains deferral, corporate tax reduction/elimination for S‑Corp ESOPs, deductible contributions, and cash‑flow modeling.
Talent & Culture
Retention without across‑the‑board raises; ownership communications that actually move the needle.
Protecting Margins
How ESOP incentives can offset cost inflation and support reinvestment.
Valuation & Financing in Today’s Market
Bank/seller notes, mezzanine options, rate considerations, and why “bankable ESOPs” are closing now.
Governance & Control
Board, trustee, and management roles—what really changes (and what doesn’t).
Business Owners planning an exit, partial sale, or recapitalization
CFOs evaluating capital structure and tax strategy
Advisors & Succession Planners guiding owner‑led companies
HR & ESOP Committee Members building engagement around ownership
“I came in skeptical. I left with a concrete roadmap and the math to brief our board.”
“This clarified our exit plan and showed how we can reward employees at the same time."
Phil DeDominicis is an ESOP strategist and M&A advisor who has guided 300+ companies through ESOP formations, financing, and transactions over 20+ years at Menke & Associates. He specializes in selling ESOP‑owned businesses to financial or strategic buyers and in helping ESOP companies acquire other businesses.
Before Menke, Phil spent 14 years in investment banking M&A at Morgan Stanley and Salomon Smith Barney, advising middle‑market companies on change‑of‑control transactions. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware (1985) and an MBA in Finance & Accounting from UCLA Anderson (1989). Phil currently serves on six for‑profit and not‑for‑profit boards.
Seats are limited. Save yours now and receive the ESOP Feasibility Checklist.
10:00AM – 11:30AM PT
11:00AM – 12:30PM MT
12:00PM – 1:30PM CT
1:00PM – 2:30PM ET
No cost. Suitable for companies with $5M–$500M+ in revenue across construction, manufacturing, services, distribution, tech, and more.
Do I lose control? No—most ESOPs preserve day‑to‑day control with your leadership team and board.
Is this only for certain industries? ESOPs work across sectors when cash flow is stable and leadership continuity matters.
Can we do a partial sale? Yes—stage liquidity over time while capturing tax benefits.
