Strategic Talent Partners

October marks Employee Ownership Month - a time to recognize and celebrate the unique impact employee-owned companies have on our economy, workplaces, and communities. At Strategic Talent Partners, we’re proud to support ESOPs across the country by helping them build the leadership teams they need to sustain and strengthen their ownership culture. We’re honored to be a trusted partner to so many organizations that put their people first - and we remain deeply committed to the continued growth of employee ownership. Learn more about our 25 years of experience working alongside ESOP companies: https://lnkd.in/eFVdt9kk

We’re less than a week away from VIP•AZ - a high-caliber evening designed to bring together EOS® leaders for meaningful connection and conversation. Next Tuesday, October 21, Strategic Talent Partners will join Authentic® and the LIFT Integrator Community™ to co-host this exclusive fall mixer in Tempe, Arizona. With a full venue buy-out, hosted bar, and a guest list composed entirely of Visionaries, Integrators, Implementers, and EOS-aligned executives, this is the kind of environment where genuine relationships are formed and strengthened. If you’ve been considering attending, now is the time to register! We look forward to connecting with peers who are leading with purpose and scaling with intention. Reserve your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gbJTfPfT

Big conversations are in store at Employee Owned 2025 - and Strategic Talent Partners is proud to be a part of them. Hosted by The ESOP Association, this year’s reimagined national conference takes place November 2–5 at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. From expanded learning pathways to hands-on workshops, EO25 is raising the bar on what it means to educate, inspire, and connect the ESOP community. We’re honored to be contributing to this elevated experience with two featured sessions: On Monday, Nov. 3, STP Principal Bill Frommelt will join Kathleen McInerney Kane, President of Praxis Consulting Group, Inc., to discuss "Evaluating and Hiring Effective ESOP Leaders." Together, they’ll share practical strategies for identifying the leadership traits that drive employee-owned companies forward - and how to hire or develop leaders who embody them. Then on Tuesday, Nov. 4, STP Co-Founder Mike Frommelt will take the stage with Terry Leahy, President and CEO of MyPath, for a session titled "CEO Transition: Preparing for the Next Chapter of Your ESOP." This conversation will offer a roadmap for navigating one of the most pivotal moments in an ESOP’s lifecycle with clarity, purpose, and long-term vision. We’re looking forward to engaging with leaders, advisors, and employee-owners who are passionate about shaping the future of employee ownership through strong leadership. If you’re interested in attending, click here for more details and registration: https://lnkd.in/eiiwG3jV

We’re excited to welcome Paul Spangle to Strategic Talent Partners as a Senior Consultant supporting our Leadership Solutions practice! Paul brings over two decades of experience in leadership development, talent management, and executive coaching, with a career that spans higher education, corporate HR, and consulting. He has held leadership roles at institutions including MIT, Colby College, and the University of Minnesota, and has led talent and learning initiatives at UnitedHealth Group and SPS Commerce. Paul also serves as a Leadership Coach with Groveland Leadership, further reinforcing his coaching-centered approach to helping leaders grow and organizations thrive. With deep expertise in areas such as organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and inclusive leadership, he brings a collaborative mindset and a passion for unlocking leadership potential. His addition strengthens our ability to support clients in aligning talent strategy with business strategy - at every stage of growth. We’re thrilled to have Paul on board and look forward to the meaningful impact he’ll make within our organization.

Strategic Talent Partners is looking forward to sponsoring and attending the 2025 IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference, taking place October 23rd in Ankeny, IA. Hosted by the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership, this event brings together business owners, employee-owners, advisors, and community leaders to explore how employee ownership drives stronger cultures, more engaged teams, and thoughtful succession planning. Whether you’re considering an ownership transition, advising clients, or leading an employee-owned company, this conference offers actionable insights and real-world perspectives from those who’ve successfully navigated the journey. STP Principal Bill Frommelt and VP & Executive Recruiter Julie Baker, MBA will be in attendance and look forward to connecting with others who are committed to advancing the future of employee ownership in Iowa and beyond. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/epP_-G7a

We had a great time in Denver last week representing Strategic Talent Partners at Super Meeting 2025 - Nexstar Network’s flagship event for home service leaders. Our Principal, Todd Johnson, and Sales & Marketing Director, Andrew Kuderer, attended on behalf of STP - connecting with business owners, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and sharing how we help privately held companies align their talent strategy with their growth strategy. As a sponsor and Strategic Partner, we were proud to exhibit at the two-day tradeshow and participate in the many networking opportunities throughout the week. The Gaylord Rockies Resort provided an outstanding setting for connection - with amenities and space that made it easy to engage in meaningful conversations with Nexstar members from across the country. From the standout keynote with Ryan Reynolds to an intriguing economic outlook presentation and seamless event execution, Nexstar delivered a truly first-class experience from start to finish - and we were grateful to be part of it. One of the most rewarding parts of the week was hearing inspiring growth stories from founder-led companies - many of which started with just a few people and a truck, and have grown into thriving organizations with strong teams, multiple locations, and a lasting impact on their communities. At STP, we believe those stories matter - and that great companies like these deserve great leaders to carry their legacy forward. To learn more about how we partner with privately held organizations, visit: https://lnkd.in/dATZVYa5

Economic uncertainty doesn’t stall leadership decisions - it raises the stakes. We were proud to sponsor and attend the recent Manufacturers Connect event, “Navigating the Economy: A Special Talk for Manufacturers.” Mary Nutting, Rick Rittmaster, and Andrew Kuderer represented STP at the event, joining other manufacturing leaders for a timely conversation on the macroeconomic forces reshaping the industry. Dr. King Banaian, Professor of Economics and Director at St. Cloud State University, delivered an engaging and informative session on the key trends currently impacting manufacturers, including:  → Interest rates → The effect of tariffs on supply chains → Minnesota’s tightening labor market The key takeaway was clear: don’t wait for perfect conditions - act with intention, even in uncertainty. This same principle applies to leadership strategy. In today’s environment, “wait and see” is not a realistic plan. The ability to navigate complexity - and grow through it - depends on having the right leaders in the right seats, aligned with your culture, vision, and goals. Thank you to Manufacturers Connect for creating space for these timely conversations, and to our fellow sponsors for helping bring this event to life. We’re proud to be part of a community that’s not only confronting today’s challenges, but preparing for tomorrow’s growth.

Strategic Talent Partners is proud to be a sponsoring partner of the upcoming VIP•AZ Fall Mixer - an exclusive event designed for Visionaries, Integrators, Implementers, and executive leaders exploring EOS®. Hosted in partnership with Authentic® and the LIFT Integrator Community™, this gathering offers a unique space for candid conversations, meaningful connections, and shared growth among like-minded leaders. The event takes place on Tuesday, October 21 at Society in Tempe, AZ. Space is limited, and the guest list is carefully curated - if you’re interested in attending, we encourage you to register now! Learn more and reserve your spot here: https://lnkd.in/gbJTfPfT

Less than one week to go! Next Tuesday, October 7 at 11:30 AM CDT, STP Principal Todd Johnson will join Tara Kuckkan, HR Manager at HM Cragg, for a live, members-only webinar hosted by The National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO): “Laying the Groundwork: Evaluating Leadership Talent in Your ESOP.” Together, they’ll share how ESOPs can hire with purpose - identifying the competencies that matter most, evaluating candidates through the lens of employee ownership, and creating a process that supports long-term success. This session will offer practical guidance grounded in real-world experience, from recruiting executive talent to developing internal team members, helping companies bring greater clarity and alignment to how they build future-ready leadership. We’re looking forward to another thoughtful conversation with the NCEO community. If you’re a member and haven’t yet registered, there’s still time to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/gDm_N5Ty 

Leadership transitions in an ESOP aren’t just moments of change - they’re critical inflection points that shape your company’s future, culture, and ownership legacy. That’s why at next week’s Great Lakes Regional Conference, being hosted by The ESOP Association from October 6-8 in Sandusky, OH, STP Co-Founder Mike Frommelt will lead a session titled “Passing the Torch: Succession Strategies for Thriving ESOPs." The conversation will explore how companies can turn leadership transition into a strategic advantage - with insights on identifying future leaders, aligning succession plans with ownership values, and preparing the organization for long-term success. At STP, we’ve spent 25+ years helping employee-owned businesses build strong executive teams, manage transition with intention, and preserve a high-performing ownership culture. Whether you're proactively planning for the future or currently navigating a shift in leadership, now is the time to ensure your organization is positioned for what’s ahead. Learn more about our work with ESOPs: https://lnkd.in/eFVdt9kk