 |
Owners at WorkAuthor: Ohio Employee Ownership Center
Interviews leading experts on issues pertaining to employee ownership including building an ownership culture, management practices, succession planning, economic development, and so much more. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
Listen Now...
Where Employee Ownership Meets Economic Development: A Conversation with Michael Darger
Episode 1
Tuesday, 12 May, 2026
SUMMARY: In this episode of Owners at Work, we talk with Michael Darger, an economic development specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension, about business succession planning, ownership transition, and the growing importance of preserving locally owned businesses as Baby Boomer owners retire. Michael discusses the critical role economic developers can play in helping communities retain businesses, support ownership transitions, and build long-term local wealth. We also explore findings from the Minnesota Business Succession and Transition Study, including why many owners delay succession planning despite recognizing its importance, the role of advisory networks in successful transitions, and the barriers that continue to slow employee ownership adoption. QUEST INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldarger/ Email: darger@umn.edu Website: https://extension.umn.edu/economic-development/supporting-business-succession-and-transition OTHER RESOURCES: Read the 2023 Business Transitions Study: https://z.umn.edu/bstresearch Read other work by Michael and the U of M Extension: https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/michaeldarger SUPPORT THE SHOW: We make all episodes of Owners at Work free and never place them behind a paywall. But they take time and money to produce. Consider making a DONATION today to help keep our work going. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: We are always looking for new employee ownership stories to tell. Please contact us with your story at oeoc@kent.edu
