​An Exclusive Gathering for Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) and Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT) Business Owners

​Over the past two years, we have engaged in conversations with numerous EOT business owners nationwide, and your consistent desire to connect with and learn from fellow pioneers has inspired us to create this unique event.

​Event Focus:
Dive deep into the motivations and processes of transitioning to a trust structure. The Stewards Circle will provide a platform for sharing invaluable insights, real-life stories, and best practices for transitioning to and operating a trust-owned business.

​There will be an additional optional pre-event dinner and a post-event facilities tour and Q&A with Text-Em-All and the Common Trust teams.

​Who's Attending:
This exclusive event is tailored to those who have successfully completed a sale to an EOT/PPT, are in the process of transitioning, or are seriously considering this impactful move. Attendees will be selected to ensure a diverse and insightful mix of experiences.

​We’ve got some amazing people lined up to join us and speak:

​Confirmed Attendees:

​Brad Herrmann | Cofounder & Trustee, Text-em-all

​Brad Herrmann, is a cofounder and President of Text-Em-All. Under his guidance, Text-Em-All has established itself as a leader in mass messaging platforms, delivering personalized, informational, and emergency communications. In 2023, Text-em-all transitioned to an EOT, becoming the first employee owned Software as a service business in the US.

​Kevin Clegg | Founder, CEO & Trustee, Clegg Auto & A More Company Trust

​Kevin Clegg, CEO and founder of Clegg Auto, spearheaded the transition of his family-owned business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This transition, marking Clegg Auto as the first EOT in Utah, not only preceded doubled profits within a year, but also established a new paradigm in employee engagement and company performance that Kevin and his team are pioneering. 

​Jeremy White | Founder & Trustee Codeweavers

​Jeremy White, the founder of CodeWeavers, has been a visionary leader in the open-source software community, contributing significantly to projects like the Wine Project. Under his guidance, CodeWeavers transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust in April 2023. The transition to employee ownership ensures CodeWeavers long-term commitment to open source principles and employee ownership as one of the first employee owned software development firms in the country.

​Rick Plympton | CEO & Trustee, Optimax Systems

​Rick Plympton, CEO of Optimax Systems, joined Optimax in 1995 and played a key role in transitioning the company to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), one of the earliest EOT transitions in the United States. Under Rick's leadership, Optimax, a leading precision optics manufacturer founded in 1991, has seen significant growth expanding from just a few employees to 400+. The company's mission is "Enabling customer success and employee prosperity."

​Jeanne Taylor | CEO, Shopbot Tools

​Jeanne Taylor is the CEO of ShopBot Tools, a pioneering firm in affordable digital fabrication. Jeanne's leadership and vision were crucial in steering the company through its transition to employee ownership, a move aimed at ensuring ShopBot's long-term success and aligning with its ethos of creativity and innovation in CNC technology.

​Joe Nussbaum | President, ACP International

​Joe Nussbaum, President of ACP International, has a rich history in small business, starting from his early days helping in his parents' moving business to founding ACP International in 1986. In 2022, he transformed ACP International into a 100% employee-owned company. Joe's approach to business has always been hands-on, emphasizing the importance of win-win relationships and self-management. 

​… And many more!

​What You'll Get Out of It:

• ​For EOT-Implemented Business Owners:

  • ​Share your journey, experiences, and insights.

  • ​Build lasting relationships with like-minded peers.

  • ​Exchange best practices for successful trust-owned business operation.

• ​For Business Owners in Transition:

  • ​Gain insights from those who have lived with an EOT structure.

  • ​Learn about the challenges and triumphs of the transition process.

• ​For Business Owners Considering the Transition:

  • ​Obtain a rare insider's view of trust operation and transition dynamics.

  • ​Make an informed decision through firsthand experiences and expert discussions.

​Key info:

• ​Save the date: The event’s main proceedings will take place on March 26. 

  • ​There will be an optional dinner the night before (3/25);

  • ​and there will be an exciting (but optional) site visit with our hosts, Text-em-all the following day (3/25) where we will get to sit in on their open book management process.

  • ​Please RSVP today. Space is limited for this event and we expect it will fill up fast! 

  • ​Location: Text-em-all office (conference center), Frisco Texas 

• ​For attendees who cannot make the optional dinner or follow up day, we still welcome you and encourage you to RSVP and join!

​We will send out recommendations for travel and local accommodations shortly.

​About our Hosts:

​Common Trust helps business owners sell to employees and protect their legacy. Our mission is to build a more prosperous and competitive economy through spreading shared ownership.

Text-Em-All, founded by entrepreneurs Brad Herrmann and Hai Nguyen in Frisco, Texas, has revolutionized automated calling and texting, transforming a small startup into an industry leader while prioritizing employee well-being and community impact. Adopting an Employee Ownership Trust model in 2023, they have uniquely aligned profit with purpose, creating a legacy of collaboration and transparency that empowers their team and safeguards the company’s ethos for future generations.