ESOP Builders Inc. - ESOP Professional Team

BUSINESS OWNER: Perry is the owner and president of ESOP Builders Inc. and Phillips Valuations Inc., Toronto, Ontario.

CONSULTANT. Over 20 years of experience with issues such as business and ESOP valuations, corporate reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, and expert witness in Federal Court proceedings. ESOP design and implementation: Designs and implements ESOPs across a range of industries including union and non-union shops. Developed ESOP Transformation Model© over the past seven years resulting in employee participation rates of 70% to 98%. International experience: Valuation assignments have included United States, United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand and China.

STRATEGIC PLANNER. Perry has spearheaded the ESOP lobby in Canada in an effort to create a favourable environment for Canadian companies. This effort includes past legislative submissions to the Federal and Ontario governments, and pre-budget consultations with the Federal Finance Department and the Honourable Paul Martin. Perry has also led the lobby efforts of the ESOP Association Canada with a proposal for innovative ESOP tax treatment.

AUTHOR. Perry has authored sections for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants including ESOPs in the "Canadian Business Financing Handbook" and business valuation in the "Canadian Guide to Wealth Preservation Handbook". His latest book publication is "Employee Share Ownership Plans in Canada", published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

SPEAKER. Perry continues to speak at ESOP and professional conferences and seminars. As a leading Canadian ESOP expert, Perry has made media appearances on CBC Business World and CTV Canada AM television and has been quoted in leading newspapers and magazines.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES. Perry is a founder and the current President of the ESOP Association Canada, senior member and past governor of the International American Society of Appraisers, and has served as director and chairman of the Education Committee for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators.

Craig A. Law, B. Comm., CMA, CEPA

Craig is dedicated to the field of business consulting and gains tremendous satisfaction from assisting owners and managers to improve their businesses and their quality of life. Craig provides assistance throughout the complete life of a business from start-up business plans, through strategic planning and operational improvement to exit planning for the owners when it is time to renew the business life.

Craig is a trained and experienced business management professional. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba with a major in Operations Research. Craig is a professionally accredited Certified Management Accountant and has also received training in numerous business concepts, skills and tools. He is continuing his professional knowledge and skills development through studies in the Chartered Business Valuator program. In June 2008, Craig furthered his dedication to the field of Succession Planning by becoming one of the first in Canada to achieve the designation of Certified Exit Planning Advisor and join the Exit Planning Institute.

Craig's career in business spans over twenty years in a variety of industries and roles. For seven years he was the Controller of a large financial institution. He also has experience as an Operations Manager for a property management company, a Program Manager in technology manufacturing, a Product Manager on a new product development project for a commercial printer, a Financial Manager for a retail business startup and a Sales Representative for small business payroll services.

Throughout his career, Craig has been the leader or primary contributor on countless projects to develop and implement strategic plans for various organizations. He has also been involved as a manager, primary resource or principle customer on several projects involving the analysis, improvement and/or replacement of various business systems. Craig has developed and managed a vast number of plans, budgets and financial reports for the management and control of every aspect of operations.

James D. Lutes, CA

Jim is the founder and President of J. D. Lutes & Associates Inc. As a former Partner and Practice Director of Ernst & Young Corporate Finance with extensive experience in mergers and acquisition strategy and former President and COO of a leading publicly traded Canadian manufacturer, Jim has broad advisory and operation experience.