XPX Chicago - The ESOP Option in Exit Planning: A Case Study

Join XPX over breakfast to hear from a panel of ESOP experts. Steve Migala and David O’Leary of Lavelle Law, Jim Junker of Pilot Hill Advisors, and Peter Aliferis of Pendo Advisors will discuss how a sale to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) may provide a compelling alternative to the more common exit planning choices. Topics:

• How an ESOP works
• How to identify a company and owner where an ESOP may make sense
• The pros and cons relative to an outright sale to a third party or management
• What to expect when evaluating and executing a sale to an ESOP

Our Panel:

James B. Junker
Managing Director
Pilot Hill Advisors

Pilot Hill Advisors is a leading national consulting and investment banking firm specializing in sell-side advice to companies and owners considering the Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) alternative for ownership transition. Jim has led over $4 billion in transactions for many American companies, including syndicated loans, public and private bonds, leveraged leases, securitizations, M&A, and ESOPs. Jim holds a BA and MBA from the University of Michigan and is SEC and FINRA-licensed nationally and in several states.

Peter Aliferis
Managing Director / ESOP Advisory Practice Leader
Pendo Advisors, LLC

Peter joined Pendo in 2010 and leads Pendo’s activities in the ESOP advisory space and serves on Pendo’s leadership team. Peter is a finance professional with experience in fairness and solvency opinions, ESOP advisory services, valuations for estate planning and financial reporting purposes, leveraged buyouts, management buyout transactions, and private placements.

Mr. Aliferis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from DePaul University and a Master’s of Business Administration with concentrations in Finance, Economics, and Accounting from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Steven A. Migala
Shareholder
Lavelle Law

Steven Migala is a Shareholder with Lavelle Law, engaging in mergers and acquisitions, banking, corporate, real estate, and estate planning matters. Steve acts as an outside general counsel to numerous entrepreneurs and privately held firms through the course of their formation, operation, and termination, whether by way of acquisition, merger, or dissolution.

His ESOP practice includes representing sellers and buyers in ESOP transactions and advising on the general business sale and purchase aspects of the transactions.

In his banking practice, Steve represents banks and financial institutions in negotiating commercial loans and counsels them concerning loan workouts and foreclosures.

David O’Leary
Partner
Lavelle Law

Attorney David O’Leary has over 40 years of experience advising clients on ESOPs, ERISA, executive compensation, taxation, family business, and estate planning issues. His experience allows him to represent companies, shareholders, banks, and trustees dealing with all types of complex ESOP scenarios.

Mr. O’Leary has had significant experience with all types of benefit plans, including 401(k) and other qualified plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and equity-based incentive arrangements.

Mr. O’Leary is bar-certified in IL and FL, a CPA, and was named Illinois Leading Lawyer in 2018. He is the past chairman of the Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee.

AGENDA: 7:30-9AM

Networking 7:30-8AM
Breakfast, Presentation and Q&A from 8-9AM

REGISTRATION FEES:

XPX Chicago Members: $30
XPX Chicago Members Same Day/Walk-in Fee: $40

Non-Members $55
Non-Members Same Day/Walk-in Fee: $65

Buffet breakfast included.

Pre-registration online is a must for catering planning.

Cancellation Policy: You may request to cancel your registration for a full refund, up to 72 hours before the date and time of the event. 

If you miss the deadline, the sale is final. We are unable to issue a credit towards another meeting or individual, no substitutes/transfers.