1. ACCLAIM FOR THE ESOP COACH
“Kelly Finnell has filled a vacuum in ESOP literature – he has come up with
a handbook for business owners that explains the complex subject in clear, direct
and understandable terms. Everything the reader needs to master the ESOP tech-
nique is there, but with the usual technical jargon and arcane legal references
stripped away. Anyone thinking about liquidity options for their business should
read this book before making any final decisions.”
Jared Kaplan, Esq.
McDermott Will & Emery, Senior Counsel
Co-author, BNA Tax Portfolio on ESOPs
“Kelly Finnell’s long experience in the ESOP world makes him very well
qualified to explain how this too-often overlooked approach to business transi-
tion works. ESOPs were designed by Congress to provide unique tax advantages
to owners, companies, and employees, advantages no other approach can repli-
cate. Just as important, ESOPs provide a way for business owners to exit gradually
or quickly, pass on ownership to the people who helped build the business, and
maintain the independence of the company they have worked so hard to build.
ESOPs are not right for everyone, but Kelly Finnell’s important book can help you
determine if they are right for you.”
Corey Rosen, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Center for Employee Ownership
“An ESOP is one of the greatest instruments of US capitalism. I’ve seen ESOPs
used successfully by a number of companies in our industry. I would recommend
this book to anyone interested in learning how an ESOP could help with their
company’s ownership succession planning.”
Dominic Pileggi
Chairman & CEO, Thomas & Betts
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2. ESOP COACH
“I have great admiration for anyone who can master an area of subject matter,
distill it into understandable form, and present it to the public in a fine book. Kelly
Finnell has done just that! This book on ESOPs will tell you everything you need to
know to rationally consider the option, and, if you choose, execute the plan. Kelly’s
treatise is the best on this topic - If you are a business owner, this is a must-read
book!”
Don Hutson
Speaker and co-author of The New York Times and
The Wall Street Journal #1 Best-Seller, The One Minute Entrepreneur
“Kelly has taken a topic which is a mystery to most of us -- use of an ESOP
to effect an ownership change -- and explains it in an understandable and “plain
English” manner. The book’s examples are instructive and understandable and will
help readers quickly decide if this is a strategy which is right for them.”
Wade McKnight, CPA
Retired Partner, Deloitte
“Take it from the author of Public Speaking, if you’re looking for an informa-
tive and understandable speaker on ESOPs, Kelly Finnell is your man.”
Michael Osborn, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication
Co-author, Public Speaking
“Kelly Finnell has delivered his promise; he has taken a complicated issue
and broken it down into understandable pieces. As an entrepreneur and small
business owner, I find the options that Kelly provides make for both informative
and enjoyable reading. This is must reading for the small to mid-sized business
owner.”
Ed Horrell
Author, The Kindness Revolution
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3. “The ESOP Coach provides valuable insight on the complex issues of business
succession, presenting the information in an easy to understand manner. Kelly has
excellent perspective on the challenges and opportunities, which makes The ESOP
Coach essential reading for business owners (and their advisors) focused on the
ongoing success of the businesses they have built and preserving the entrepre-
neurial spirit that remains the backbone of our country.”
Fred Jonske, FSA, MAAA
CEO, M Financial Group
“I’ve often thought that the main reason an ESOP is not more frequently
used in Exit Planning for owners is its apparent complexity in design and imple-
mentation. As Winston Churchill once said in a different context, “The length of
this document defends it well against the risk of its being read.” And so it can be
with the mass of ESOP explanations, rules and regulations. Kelly succeeds in his
avowed purpose of providing a straightforward and understandable explanation
of this important planning tool. His book is well worth reading for every owner
considering a business exit.”
John H. Brown
President
Business Enterprise Institute
Author of How To Run Your Business So You Can Leave It In Style
and Co-author of Cash Out Move On
“This book has a wealth of information to help business owners make intel-
ligent decisions about whether they should use an ESOP as part of their ownership
succession planning. It has all of the technical information you need as well as
user-friendly explanations and illustrative case studies. There is certainly some-
thing here for everyone.”
Pete Prodoehl
Vice President, Principal Financial Group
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4. ESOP COACH
“Kelly and I have had the opportunity to work together with a number of
business owners over the years to help design the right transition or exit plan for
each situation. The ESOP is one of the key alternatives we discuss, since it brings
so many business and tax advantages to the table. What distinguishes Kelly from
other ESOP advisors is his ability to explain the ESOP strategy in a way that is
simple to understand and which is on point with the needs of the business owner.
Through this book, Kelly is sharing the insights he and his team have gained
through the many years which they have specialized in this field. Kelly and I share
a common objective in our transition and exit planning practices, which is to help
business owners beat the odds by achieving the legacy they wish to achieve. I am
glad to see Kelly share these important ESOP strategies with both business owners
and with other exit planning advisors.”
Nicholas K. Niemann, Esq.
McGrath North Law Firm
Author, Exit On Your Terms
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