BROOKFIELD, Wis. (February 24, 2026) – Lemberg Electric is proud to announce that Lemberg Controller Leo Buser, CPA, CCIFP, will be presenting at the Spring Wisconsin ESOP Conference, March 3-4, 2026, at Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Buser will present "ESOP Repurchase Funding Considerations" alongside Kyle Spader, CPA, CVA, of Acumen Advisory, and TJ Genz, ASA, of ESI Equity.
The trio aims to provide a roadmap for ESOP Repurchase Funding, explaining who should make decisions, what factors to monitor, and when to act. They'll also provide resources and discuss considerations for choosing the best strategies for your company. Spader will moderate, while Genz and Buser present.
“It’s an honor to be presenting alongside Kyle and TJ,” said Buser. “Our goal is to inform our ESOP peers, give them a new perspective, and hopefully invigorate their efforts for 2026.”
The conference features presentations on practical ESOP insights, legislation and compliance, tips to strengthen the employee ownership culture and performance, and opportunities to network with others in the Wisconsin ESOP community. The conference is also the venue for the announcement of the 2026 Wisconsin Chapter Employee Owner of the Year, for which Buser has been nominated. Buser was nominated by Lemberg leadership for his efforts to make the benefits of being an employee-owner easy-to-understand and relatable to employees at every stage of their careers.
Also attending the conference from Lemberg are Kyle Witte, president; Bill Starck, HR Generalist; Carrie Ortmann, Assistant Project Manager-Service; and Jaina Chiolero, Project Manager-Signs
"I’m excited to attend this year's conference and gain additional insights and ideas that we can bring back and apply to enhance Lemberg’s ESOP further," said Carrie Ortmann. Ortmann is Assistant Project Manager in the Lemberg Service Department and the leader of the company's Young Professional Advisory Team (YPAT)."Since attending last year's Conference, YPAT has been focused on ways we can educate new employees about our ESOP and promote long-term retention and loyalty at Lemberg, starting with our newest and soon-to-be shareholders."
According to both Ortmann and Bill Starck, Lemberg’s HR Generalist, the annual conference provides the opportunity to hear success stories from other ESOPs, learn about their retention strategies, and find ways to involve their employees in shaping their ESOP experience.
“As an HR professional, I hope to gain practical strategies for communicating effectively, increasing engagement, and fostering a true employee-owner mindset that drives commitment and organizational success,” said Starck. Both he and Ortmann are members of the company’s ESOP Committee, which strives to enhance Lemberg’s culture for all ESOP members.
As the youngest member of the team attending, Jaina Chiolero hopes to gain a better understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the ESOP business operations and the owners themselves. “I am excited to learn about the full capacity of how awesome the ESOP is from firsthand accounts,” she said. Jaina represents the future of the company. Like Ortmann, she is part of the Young Professional Advisory Team at Lemberg.
For more information about Lemberg and its leadership, visit www.lembergelectric.com.
About Wisconsin ESOP Association
The Wisconsin ESOP Association is the local ESOP Association chapter, featuring a membership of over 110 ESOP companies and professionals in the state. Their mission is to provide members with education and networking opportunities. The overall mission of the ESOP Association is to educate about and advocate for employee ownership with an emphasis on ESOPs.
About Lemberg
Lemberg Electric Company, Inc., (Lemberg) was founded in 1928 in Milwaukee and serves the southeastern Wisconsin business community in electrical service, sign design and installation, data communications, energy management, and electrical construction. The company is located in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Visit us at www.lembergelectric.com and find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Instagram.