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Cooperatives and Employee Ownership 101 (Asheville)

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Date

Oct 3

Time

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Price

Free

Location

153 S Lexington Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801 United States
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Mountain BizWorks has partnered with national leaders in the field of worker ownership, The Industrial Commons. Whether you’re interested in transitioning your business into a cooperative workplace or planning for your succession by selling to the employees, this interactive workshop is a great place to start. Participants will explore how a sale to employees can improve sustainability, retention, and a business’s financial performance. Learn how to conduct a feasibility study and gain insight into employee-owned companies’ power to transform communities and build better businesses.


Presenters

Meet our presenters for this event.

Mountain BizWorks event presenter, Aaron Dawson

Aaron Dawson

Aaron Dawson is the Workplace Development Senior Director for The Industrial Commons where he leads efforts to create and sustain worker engagement programs through open-bo...

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Aaron Dawson is the Workplace Development Senior Director for The Industrial Commons where he leads efforts to create and sustain worker engagement programs through open-book management and worker committees in manufacturing plants interested in shifting to a more democratic and millennial-friendly culture. He also assists in Cooperative Development for The Industrial Commons enterprises and employee ownership transition for businesses thinking of selling to their employees. He has 15 years of experience as a worker-owner at Equal Exchange, a Fair Trade Massachusetts company specializing in the sourcing and distribution of coffee, tea and chocolate. For ten of those years, Aaron held the role of Customer Service Manager, overseeing a team of 12. He has many years of experience participating in and facilitating worker committees and developing ideas, policies and practices that create a positive and supportive work environment. In addition, he was elected to serve on Equal Exchange’s Board of Directors for six years and was Chair of the Board for one of those years. Aaron holds a Masters in Management, Cooperatives and Credit Unions from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada. He served on the Board of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops for four years and served as the Board Treasurer for the Democracy at Work Institute for six years. Aaron is a certified coach with the Great Game of Business.
 
Mountain BizWorks event presenter, Chris Grasinger

Chris Grasinger

Chris Grasinger serves as the High Country Regional Manager for Mountain BizWorks, overseeing economic development practices in all NWWNC counties for the organization. He also dir...

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Chris Grasinger serves as the High Country Regional Manager for Mountain BizWorks, overseeing economic development practices in all NWWNC counties for the organization. He also directs the Mountain BizWorks Market Advisors program, providing business brokerage and valuation services in 26 counties. With an MBA from Appalachian State University, Chris also manages a regional angel investment fund, the High Country Impact Fund, which focuses on investing in high growth startups and existing companies. He is an avid outdoorsman and the CEO of Center 45 Climbing & Fitness

Details

Date
October 3, 2023
Time:
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Cost
Free
Event categories:
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Venue

Mountain BizWorks Asheville Office
153 S Lexington Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801 United States
+ Google Map
Phone
828-253-2834
Website
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