In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Chris Cooper, Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University.

For over 25 years, Chris has helped business owners across Ohio explore the power of employee ownership — guiding them through successful transitions, building strong ownership cultures, and creating legacies that last.

The OEOC Mission – How the Ohio Employee Ownership Center helps business owners transition their companies to employee ownership.

The Human Impact – Real stories of employees who built life-changing wealth through ownership.

ESOP Advantages – Why employee ownership creates win-win outcomes for owners, workers, and communities.

Succession & Legacy – How founders can exit while preserving culture and jobs.

EOT vs ESOP – The differences between Employee Ownership Trusts and ESOPs, and when each fits best.

Collaboration & Support – How the OEOC partners with advisors, foundations, and business owners to make transitions possible.

Success Story – A Cleveland company that became 100% employee-owned, creating over 200 new owners.

The Future – Why Ohio leads the way in employee ownership and what it means for the next generation of business owners.

Connect with Mark Dorman:

• Succession Plus US

• LinkedIn: Mark Dorman

• LinkedIn: Succession Plus

• Facebook: Succession Plus

• (330)-416-9271

• mdorman@succession.plus

About the Guest:

Chris Cooper is the Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. With over two decades of experience, Chris has worked with hundreds of business owners to explore employee ownership as a succession solution. He leads programs focused on succession planning, ownership culture, and employee-owned startups, and coordinates Ohio's Employee-Owned Network, which includes more than 100 companies.

Chris has spoken at national and international conferences across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Bermuda, and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) through the Exit Planning Institute. His work bridges research, education, and real-world impact—helping business owners finish strong while keeping their companies and communities thriving.