This special episode of Shared Success: The Employee Ownership Podcast was recorded live at the Empowering Employee Ownership event hosted by the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center at the Delta Innovation Hub in Athens, GA. In this episode, host Marie Davis sits down with local and statewide leaders who are advancing the cause of employee ownership. From SBA-backed financing strategies to real stories of transitioning to employee-owned models, this conversation highlights how businesses of all types and sizes can explore ownership succession through cooperative and employee-owned models. Whether you're a business owner, advisor, or advocate, these insights shed light on what's possible — and how to take the next step.

Featured Guests
Melanie Bryant, Lender Relations Specialist, Small Business Administration (SBA)
Jennell Taylor, Access to Capital Specialist, SBA
Shea Smith, CFO, Sheridan Construction
Robert Isherwood, CEO, Amback International
Michelle Griffith, Chief Financial Officer, JOMA Construction
Mackenzie Gallagher, CMO, JOMA Construction
Judith Winfrey, Co-Founder, Love is Love Cooperative Farm
Matthew Epperson, Local Outreach Coordinator, Georgia Center for Employee Ownership

Resources Related to This Episode
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
JOMA Construction
Amback International
Love is Love Cooperative Farm
Sheridan Construction
Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GACEO)

 

CREDITS
Stock Music provided by ikoliks / Pond5
Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

This special episode of Shared Success: The Employee Ownership Podcast was recorded live at the Empowering Employee Ownership event hosted by the University of Georgia&rsquo;s Small Business Development Center at the Delta Innovation Hub in Athens, GA. In this episode, host Marie Davis sits down with local and statewide leaders who are advancing the cause of employee ownership. From SBA-backed financing strategies to real stories of transitioning to employee-owned models, this conversation highlights how businesses of all types and sizes can explore ownership succession through cooperative and employee-owned models. Whether you're a business owner, advisor, or advocate, these insights shed light on what's possible &mdash; and how to take the next step.
Featured Guests
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Melanie Bryant, Lender Relations Specialist, Small Business Administration (SBA)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jennell Taylor, Access to Capital Specialist, SBA</li>
<li aria-level="1">Shea Smith, CFO, Sheridan Construction</li>
<li aria-level="1">Robert Isherwood, CEO, Amback International</li>
<li aria-level="1">Michelle Griffith, Chief Financial Officer, JOMA Construction</li>
<li aria-level="1">Mackenzie Gallagher, CMO, JOMA Construction</li>
<li aria-level="1">Judith Winfrey, Co-Founder, Love is Love Cooperative Farm</li>
<li aria-level="1">Matthew Epperson, Local Outreach Coordinator, Georgia Center for Employee Ownership</li>
</ul>
Resources Related to This Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sba.gov/">U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.jomaconstruction.com/">JOMA Construction</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://amback.com/">Amback International</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.loveislovefarm.com/">Love is Love Cooperative Farm</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sheridanconstruction.com/">Sheridan Construction</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://gaceo.org/">Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GACEO)</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
CREDITS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Stock Music provided by ikoliks / <a href="https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-music/item/102770115-inspirational-motivational-uplifting-acoustic-positive-folk">Pond5</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://chatwithleaders.com">ChatWithLeadersMedia.com</a></li>
</ul>

Shared Success: The Employee Ownership Podcast” shares real stories of business owners and communities coming together to build stronger futures through shared ownership.

Hosted by Marie Davis of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership, each episode explores how local businesses are navigating succession planning, empowering employees, and preserving legacies that matter.

Season 1 highlights the vibrant community of Athens-Clarke County, where business leaders are discovering new ways to keep their companies thriving for the next generation and beyond.

If you believe businesses can be a force for good, join us for inspiring conversations about ownership, opportunity, and community-driven success.

Learn more about the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership at www.gaceo.org.

Shared Success: The Employee Ownership Podcast&rdquo; shares real stories of business owners and communities coming together to build stronger futures through shared ownership.
Hosted by Marie Davis of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership, each episode explores how local businesses are navigating succession planning, empowering employees, and preserving legacies that matter.
Season 1 highlights the vibrant community of Athens-Clarke County, where business leaders are discovering new ways to keep their companies thriving for the next generation and beyond.
If you believe businesses can be a force for good, join us for inspiring conversations about ownership, opportunity, and community-driven success.
Learn more about the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership at www.gaceo.org.