Description

DATE: November 12, 2025

TIME: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Bent Creek Country Club

COST: $45 Member

$60 Future Member

What to Expect!

Employee ownership can create lasting benefits for businesses, but knowing where to start is often the challenge. This session is designed as an Employee Ownership 101 for executives and business owners. A panel of experts will introduce practical ownership models with insights from Tandem Center for Shared Business Success and the Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership, then outline the essential legal and financial steps to get started with guidance from Barley Snyder and Northwest Bank. 

Along with table discussions and open Q&A, attendees will be given the chance to share challenges and ask direct questions. The goal is to leave with a clearer understanding of employee ownership options, along with a growth and succession strategy for your company.

Meet the Speakers!

Drew Mousetis - Executive Director of Tandem Center for Shared Business Success

Drew Mousetis is the Executive Director of Tandem Center for Shared Business Success, a nonprofit organization that works with companies interested in direct employee ownership and profit sharing. Drew and the Tandem team work closely with business owners and advisors to design and implement direct employee ownership solutions. Drew gained experience and enthusiasm for Tandem's model as a lead consultant and employee owner at Cargas Systems. Before Cargas, Drew held positions in public accounting firms and served as the director of finance and development at The Gatehouse, a non-profit addiction recovery organization. He earned a BA in accounting from Penn State University and an MBA from Elizabethtown College. Drew is a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and a recent graduate of Leadership Lancaster’s Executive Class.

Kevin McPhillips - Executive Director/CEO of Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership

Kevin McPhillips has enjoyed more than 30 years working in both non-profit and private leadership. Before joining the Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership, McPhillips served as CEO of 1000 Museums, the leading online community destination for museums and exhibitions from around the world. Prior, he was President and Partner at The Princeton Companies, handpicked by the Governor's Office as a model of NJ Business growth, served as President and co-founder of Direct Group, one of the nation's largest Direct Marketing firms, and spent 8 years leading non-profit centers for citizens with special needs. His experiences managing and owning businesses taught him that employee ownership and investment IS good business. Kevin is a product of Northwestern University.

Alexander Puskar, Esquire - Partner at Barley Snyder

Alex is a partner in Barley Snyder’s Business and Tax practice groups. His practice includes extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions, including assisting clients with the establishment, use and operation of, and acquisitions involving employee stock ownership plans. He works with officers, directors and shareholders of closely held businesses on an array of organizational matters, such as entity formation, compliance, contract review, tax planning, and business succession planning. He also counsels non-profit organizations in mergers, acquisitions and fundamental change transactions, as well as filing for tax-exempt status and general compliance issues.

Jason Muhme - ESOP Finance Lead at Northwest Bank

Jason Muhme is the Head of ESOP Finance for Northwest Bank’s national practice.  With over 20 years of experience in commercial banking, Jason is a seasoned financial professional specializing in ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) finance and middle-market lending. Throughout a career marked by strategic leadership and client-focused solutions, he has built a reputation for guiding business owners through complex capital structures, succession planning, and ownership transition strategies.

Jason has worked extensively with privately held businesses across a broad range of industries, offering tailored financing solutions that support growth, liquidity, and long-term sustainability. Leveraging deep expertise in ESOP transactions, he serves as a trusted advisor to companies exploring employee ownership as a competitive advantage and legacy-building tool.

In addition to ESOP lending, Jason has led teams in delivering a full spectrum of commercial banking services, including cash flow and asset-based lending, acquisition finance, and treasury management. Known for building lasting client relationships, he brings a collaborative, solutions-driven approach to every engagement.

Jason resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife Julia.  He currently serves on the Finance Advisory Committee for the ESOP Association and the Advisory Board for the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership)

What is the Excellence Exchange?

Excellence Exchange cultivates a space for you to hear innovative, noteworthy business practices and participate in small group discussions with other leaders in the community. You will gain insight into the successes and challenges facing organizations across a range of industries and discuss practical strategies for applying the lessons learned within your own workplace.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

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