Steel City Growth

What happens when business owners are ready to retire — but want to protect their employees, their legacy, and their community?

In this episode of Steel City Growth, host William Ilgenfritz sits down with leaders from the Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership and Pittsburgh City Council to break down how employee ownership works, why it’s growing, and how it can help small and mid-sized businesses survive major economic transitions.

You’ll learn:
• What employee ownership actually means
• The difference between ESOPs, Employee Ownership Trusts, and worker co-ops
• Why Pittsburgh is becoming a national model for employee ownership
• How this approach protects jobs and keeps businesses local
• What business owners should consider when planning for the future

🎙 Guests featured in this episode:
Kevin McPhillips — Executive Director, Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership
Councilwoman Erika Strassburger — Pittsburgh City Council
Emalie Martzall — Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership

🔗 Guest & Organization Links
Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership
Website: https://ownershippennsylvania.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pa-center-for-employee-ownership/

Kevin McPhillips
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mcphillips-6a0205260/

Councilwoman Erika Strassburger
City Council Page: https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-staaf-strassburger-6a7b778/

Emalie Martzall
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emalie-martzall-mba/

🔗 Steel City Growth & Host Links

🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms:
https://steelcitygrowth.live

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@SteelCityGrowth

👤 Host — William Ilgenfritz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-ilgenfritz-83161652/
Murphy Business Pittsburgh: https://murphybusiness.com/pittsburgh/

*Sponsored by Murphy Business of Pittsburgh*
Helping business owners plan, grow, and transition successfully.