On May 14th, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf came to NewAge Industries in Southampton, PA and spent two hours with employee owners and volunteers of the PaCEO to discuss how Employee Ownership could be a boon to the Commonwealth.

Also in attendance were PA Representative Bernie O’Neill (Chair of the Finance Committee), PA Rep. Frank Farry, and Philadelphia City Councilman Derek Green, an ardent supporter of our mission.

The Governor heard from employee owners at NewAge on how the ESOP there has changed their lives in so many positive ways. Governor Wolf also heard from Executive Volunteers from PaCEO ESOP companies including: Ken Fulmer, CEO, Urban Engineers – Roseline Bougher, CEO, A.D. Marble – Jim Fox, President, Dansko – Bryan Wolcott, CEO, Head Coach, Restek – Ken Baker, CEO, NewAge Industries

The story was reported on by The Intelligence, Bucks County Courier Times, and blasted out on Governor Wolf’s Facebook. 

The Governor expressed great interest in ways that employee ownership can help the State of Pennsylvania and its citizens. One suggestion that came out of the meeting was that a Statewide Task Force be set up to examine ways to raise awareness and find ways to bring the benefits of employee ownership to the Commonwealth.

Rep. O’Neill resolved to hold hearings in the Capitol to examine the current proposed bill (HB 1289) that will bring additional incentives to some business owners who choose to sell to their employees.

Much to follow up on, but by all measures, this was a rousing success, and serves to continue raising awareness about an extraordinary program.