ABOUT WICEO
Wisconsin's Hub for
Employee Ownership
Free, unbiased, and boots-on-the-ground — WICEO exists to make employee ownership accessible to every business owner and worker in Wisconsin.
The Central Hub for Employee Ownership in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Center for Employee Ownership (WICEO) serves as the central hub for free, unbiased information on employee ownership across the entire state of Wisconsin. Our primary mission is to educate business owners and their advisors on the benefits of employee ownership — and to help guide them through their transition options.
WICEO provides resources, case studies, articles, and a network of service providers who can assist with employee ownership transitions. Whether you're a business owner exploring succession options, an employee curious about ownership, or an advisor serving either, WICEO is your starting point.
As a member of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX), WICEO connects Wisconsin to a growing national movement while maintaining the local presence and relationships that make a real difference for Wisconsin businesses and communities.
Free & Unbiased
WICEO's education and resources are available at no cost — with no financial stake in which ownership model you choose.
Founded in 2020
WICEO was the third state center opened by EOX, launched to serve as Wisconsin's dedicated employee ownership resource.
Statewide Reach
We serve businesses and workers across all of Wisconsin — from Milwaukee to the Northwoods and everywhere in between.
All Ownership Models
We cover ESOPs, Employee Ownership Trusts, and Worker Cooperatives — helping you find the right fit for your business.
Professionally Managed
WICEO's operations are managed by Momentum Association Management, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery.
We're on a mission to turn the state of Wisconsin into a place where every working person can also be an employee owner.
How WICEO Came to Be
WICEO's story is part of a larger national movement to bring employee ownership education to every state in America.
EOX Launches the State Center Network
The Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX) begins building a nationwide network of state-level centers for employee ownership education — a grassroots effort to bring localized, unbiased resources to business owners and workers in every state.
WICEO Is Founded
The Wisconsin Center for Employee Ownership is established as the third EOX state center — bringing dedicated, local employee ownership education and outreach to Wisconsin for the first time. WICEO's mission: be the local, unbiased boots-on-the-ground hub for Wisconsin business owners and their advisors.
Building Wisconsin's Employee Ownership Ecosystem
WICEO grows its network of service providers, expands educational programming, and deepens partnerships with NCEO and EOX — connecting more Wisconsin businesses to the resources they need to explore and complete ownership transitions.
Professionally Managed & Growing
Under the management of Momentum Association Management, WICEO continues to expand its reach across Wisconsin — adding new events, resources, and advisory connections while advocating for state and federal policies that make employee ownership more accessible for all.
WICEO Staff
WICEO's day-to-day operations are led by a dedicated team committed to growing the employee ownership ecosystem across Wisconsin.
Joe Sapp, CAE
Executive DirectorJoe has spent his career helping associations grow through strong leadership, operational excellence, and meaningful partnerships with volunteer leaders. Before co-founding Momentum Association Management, he led major organizational growth, oversaw technology and operational modernization, and guided teams across new business development, marketing, and client service delivery.
Over nearly two decades in association management, Joe has served as Executive Director for multiple organizations, led certification programs, and driven significant membership and revenue expansion. As President of Momentum, he oversees operations, service delivery, and business development, bringing deep expertise in AMC operations and a passion for leveraging technology to move organizations forward.
A Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Forty Under 40 honoree, Joe is the Immediate Past President of the Mid-Atlantic Society of Association Executives. He lives in Madison, WI.
✉ jsapp@wiceo.org
Rebekah Harris, PHR
Director of OperationsRebekah thrives leading teams and people. At WICEO, she works alongside Joe to reach businesses across Wisconsin and share why employee ownership could be the right path for them.
Her role includes supporting the day-to-day operations of WICEO, delivering marketing campaigns, executing events, and ensuring that every business owner who reaches out receives a timely, helpful response.
Rebekah holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation and brings a people-first approach to everything she does — a natural fit for an organization built around empowering workers.
Board of Directors
WICEO is governed by a board of experienced professionals with deep expertise across ESOPs, cooperatives, law, finance, and employee ownership transitions.
Courtney Berner
Vice President of the BoardCourtney Berner joined the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives in 2011 and serves as its Executive Director. She develops research, outreach, and education programs on cooperatives and provides support to new and established cooperatives across a wide range of industries.
Her expertise spans cooperative education, business development, cooperative finance and governance, and innovative uses of the cooperative model. Courtney teaches a course on cooperatives at UW-Madison, challenging students to think critically about why co-ops emerge and how they can address current social and economic challenges.
Renee M. Stadtmueller, CPA, QPA
President of the BoardRenee has over 18 years of experience providing administration and consulting advice to ESOP clients. A CPA and QPA designation holder from ASPPA, she works closely with Plan Sponsors, accountants, advisors, and legal counsel to provide guidance on plan design, compliance, and operation.
Renee is a speaker on ESOP administration topics for The ESOP Association and NCEO, and has served as Chairperson for ASPPA's Education and Examination ESOP Certificate Subcommittee and VP of Programming for the Wisconsin Chapter of The ESOP Association.
David W. Eckhardt
Secretary of the BoardDavid Eckhardt is a lawyer with Husch Blackwell with extensive experience in executive compensation issues, including deferred compensation under IRC section 409A and the structuring and tax treatment of equity arrangements. He implements equity compensation plans in partnerships and LLCs.
David specializes in employee benefit matters including implementation and operation of qualified retirement plans (including ESOPs), ERISA compliance, employment taxes, health and welfare plans, and the Affordable Care Act.
Steve Storkan
Treasurer of the BoardSteve has been involved with employee stock ownership plans for over 25 years, most recently as Director of ESOP Administration for Alerus Retirement and Benefits, where he worked closely with businesses on ESOP creation and ongoing technical administration and compliance.
Steve spent 11 years on the Board of the Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter of the ESOP Association, serving as Chapter President and VP of Government Relations. He holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation from the University of Minnesota State Mankato.
Part of a Larger Movement
Employee Ownership Expansion Network
WICEO is a proud member of EOX — a national network of state centers providing grassroots employee ownership education and outreach. EOX connects local centers to resources, research, and a shared mission of expanding employee ownership across America.
Visit EOX →National Center for Employee Ownership
The premier organization for employee ownership education, research, best practices, and networking. Through WICEO's EOX partnership, Wisconsin businesses can access NCEO membership at a discounted rate using code EOX for $100 off.
Join NCEO →Momentum Association Management
WICEO's operations are professionally managed by Momentum Association Management — a Wisconsin-based boutique AMC providing high-quality executive management, operations, marketing, and event services to associations and nonprofits.
Visit Momentum →Get In Touch with WICEO
Whether you have a question about employee ownership or are ready to start exploring your options — we're here to help, at no cost.
