About Us

1/6

Core Values

Excellence
Integrity
Innovation
Relationships
Impact

2/6

Excellence

Commitment to delivering relevant information about employee ownership to all stakeholders.

3/6

Integrity

Uphold ethical standards in a culture of honesty, transparency, and responsible decision making.

4/6

Innovation

Encourage innovative thinking to solve complicated economic issues in Iowa by embracing creativity and emerging trends to adapt to a changing ecosystem.

5/6

Relationships

Build strong connections across stakeholders from employees to businesses to economic developers to professional service providers.

6/6

Impact

Dedication to making a difference through research, community engagement and educating relevant stakeholders in ways to meaningfully contribute to the advancement of employee ownership in Iowa.

IA-CEO Timeline

2015

Began work with Business Ownership Transition and related services around it.

2018

Conversations initiated with ESOP representatives for need of an Employee Ownership Center in Iowa.

2019-2020

Received Heartland Challenge Grant from the Kauffman Foundation to identify and promote Employee Ownership in Iowa.

2021-2022

Received grant from the Invest Taskforce within Empower Rural Iowa to continue Employee Ownership Cooperative work with the support of the Iowa Rural Development Council.

2022

Awarded the Central Standards Grant from the Kauffman Foundation. Established partnerships with IRDC, Drake Law, Buena Vista University and local communities.

2023

Strengthened the foundation for an Employee Ownership Center in Iowa and subsequent impact across the state with potential access to federal dollars.