--- title: Leadership Team --- [![Color logo - no background-1](https://esopalliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Color%20logo%20-%20no%20background-1.png?width=3163&height=504&name=Color%20logo%20-%20no%20background-1.png "Color logo - no background-1")](https://www.esopalliance.com?hsLang=en) [![ESOP Alliance](https://esopalliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Old/ESOP%20Alliance%20-%20(no%20background-1).png?width=3163&height=504&name=ESOP%20Alliance%20-%20(no%20background-1).png "ESOP Alliance")](https://esopalliance.com?hsLang=en) [![ESOP Alliance](https://esopalliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Old/ESOP%20Alliance%20-%20(no%20background-1).png?width=3163&height=504&name=ESOP%20Alliance%20-%20(no%20background-1).png "ESOP Alliance")](https://esopalliance.com?hsLang=en) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [Leadership](https://esopalliance.com/leadership-team) - [Members](https://esopalliance.com/members) - [Events](https://esopalliance.com/events-and-meetings) - [Contact Us](https://esopalliance.com/esop-contact-us-) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Leadership Team Learn about our ESOP Alliance Leadership Team: ### Leadership # Executive Leadership: ### Serena Amlie GBQ ![Serena Amlie (GBQ)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Serena%20Amlie%20(Spinnaker%20Trust).jpg) [859.912.4637](tel:859.912.4637) [samlie@gbq.com](mailto:samlie@gbq.com) ### Serena Amlie GBQ Managing Director Ms. Amlie is a Managing Director of GBQ Capital Advisors. Ms. Amlie’s practice focuses on providing valuation advisory services to ESOP trustees for transactions and annual updates, advising business owners on ownership transition, and providing valuations for other purposes including estate and gift tax, corporate planning, buy-sell agreements, executive compensation, and other corporate matters. **ESOP Advisory** Ms. Amlie’s practice specializes in ESOP transactions, annual ESOP valuations, and related consulting. She has advised trustees and sellers on hundreds of ESOP-related engagements, including initial ESOP transactions, annual update valuations, second stage transactions, and terminations. Prior to joining GBQ, Ms. Amlie was a Vice President and ESOP Client Advisor at Spinnaker Trust, an institutional ESOP trustee. Ms. Amlie’s experience on the Trustee-side of the ESOP industry allows her to offer a unique perspective to trustees and sellers alike on ESOP-related engagements. While at Spinnaker, Ms. Amlie was responsible for reviewing hundreds of ESOP valuations. She was also actively involved in leading education sessions for Boards, management teams, and employee bases on ESOP and valuation topics. Ms. Amlie is the President of the NY/NJ Chapter of the ESOP Association, a Member of the Valuation Advisory Committee of the ESOP Association, and Co-Founder of the ESOP Alliance. Ms. Amlie is a frequent speaker at conferences on ESOP, valuation, and governance-related topics. **Valuation Advisory** Ms. Amlie has performed hundreds of valuation engagements involving interests in privately held companies for a variety of purposes including ESOP transactions, annual ESOP valuations, mergers and acquisitions, fairness opinions, buy-sell agreements, estate and gift tax, corporate planning, shareholder disputes, divorce, and executive compensation. Ms. Amlie is a Chartered Financial Analyst® and holds the Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation with the American Society of Appraisers. [Company Website](https://www.gbq.com) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/serena-amlie-cfa-asa-a9bb3614a/) ### Shane Ocasal Aon ![Shane Ocasal (Aon)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/SO%20Headshot%203.webp) [917.224.1291](tel:917.224.1291) [shane.ocasal@aon.com](mailto:shane.ocasal@aon.com) ### Shane Ocasal Aon Vice President Shane Ocasal is a dedicated professional at Aon, I specialize in M&A Due Diligence, Private Equity, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) safeguarding businesses through innovative insurance solutions and strategies. With a deep understanding of the complexities involved in mergers and acquisitions, I help clients navigate these critical transitions while ensuring they are protected against potential risks. My expertise allows me to guide organizations in implementing effective Insurance strategies that enhance engagement and drive long-term success. Additionally, my teams experience in private equity enables me to provide insights that are crucial for investors and portfolio companies seeking to maximize value and mitigate risk. At Aon, I leverage our comprehensive resources and global reach to deliver tailored insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of each business, empowering them to thrive in a competitive landscape. Driven by a passion for making a positive impact, I am dedicated to providing actionable insights that empower clients to make informed decisions and achieve their business objectives. A New York native and a devoted NY Rangers fan, I actively engage with my community as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Camp Venture. I am also proud to be a member of the ESOP Association and the founder of both ESOP Alliance and Dive & Thrive.   [Company Website](https://www.aon.com/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneocasal/) # Membership Committee: ### Rebecca Glasgow Royal Bank of Canada ![Rebecca Glasgow (RBC)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Rebecca%20Glasgow%202.jpg) [404.260.8761](tel:404.260.8761) [404.690.7464](tel:404.690.7464) [rebecca.glasgow@rbc.com](mailto:rebecca.glasgow@rbc.com) ### Rebecca Glasgow Royal Bank of Canada Managing Director Rebecca has spent her 20 year career in financial services advising business owners, wealthy families and ESOP-owned companies. She draws upon her extensive experience in the areas of trust and estate strategies, financial and insurance planning, institutional asset management, and institutional fixed income sales to build tailored solutions for her clients and their diverse needs.  Today, as a partner of the ESOP Group, she works closely with business owners and their families on business transition and more specifically employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Rebecca is a frequent speaker on business owner liquidity options, ESOPs, and the Section 1042 tax deferral. For The ESOP Association, she is the chairman of the fundraising committee as well as a chapter officer for the Southeast Chapter.   **Education**  • Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in economics  • Passed the Series 7 and 66 securities exams  • Insurance licenses: life, health, variable annuity, variable life and long-term care  **Credentials ** • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificate  • Certified Exit Planning Advisor  **Industry recognition: ** • Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2022, 2023  • Barron’s Top 100 Women Advisors, 2023  • Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, 2021–2023  • Forbes Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors, 2021–2023  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2022, 2023  • Working Mother Magazine/SHOOK Top Wealth Advisor Moms, 2021  **Team recognition: ** • Barron’s Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams in 2021 and 2023  • Forbes America’s Top Wealth Management Teams in 2022  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams in 2023  [Company Website](https://us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/esopgroup/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-glasgow-cfp%C2%AE-cepa%C2%AE-5817493/) ### Kip Kuster Blue Ridge Associates ![Kip\_Kuster](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Kip_Kuster.jpeg) [312.651.6319](tel:312.651.6319) [kkuster@oneblueridge.com](mailto:kkuster@oneblueridge.com) ### Kip Kuster Blue Ridge Associates Sr. ESOP Administrator Kip is a Manager of ESOP Administration at Blue Ridge Associates focused primarily on transaction consulting; including pre-transaction ERISA compliance testing, setting the ESOP benefit level, plan design, and education of companies on how their ESOP works. Kip is a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), the ESOP Association, and a member of The ESOP Association’s Advisory Committee on Administration. [Company Website](http://www.oneblueridge.com/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kip-kuster/) # Events Committee: ### Britt Bruinsma Vision ESOP Valuation ![Britt Bruinsma (Vision ESOP Valuation2)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Britt%20Bruinsma%20(Vision%20ESOP%20Valuation2).jpg) [616.460.5178](tel:616.460.5178) [bbruinsma@visionesop.com](mailto:bbruinsma@visionesop.com) ### Britt Bruinsma Vision ESOP Valuation Manager Britt joined Vision ESOP Valuation in 2019 and is actively involved in the firm’s annual ESOP valuations and transaction opinions. Throughout her career, Britt has worked with companies in a diverse array of industries across the United States. Prior to joining Vision, Britt spent four years at the Windquest Group, a family owned, private equity office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Britt graduated from Calvin University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Accounting. Britt is a member of The ESOP Association, American Society of Appraisers, and Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) – West Michigan. [Company Website](https://www.visionesop.com/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-bruinsma-7599aaa3/) ### Jennie Msall Ventura Trust ![Jennie\_Msall1](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Jennie_Msall1.jpg) [312.330.0936](tel:312.330.0936) [jmsall@venturaesop.com](mailto:jmsall@venturaesop.com) ### Jennie Msall Ventura Trust Director Jennie Msall is a Director at Ventura Trust company, where she provides trustee services to ESOP companies. Jennie has 12 years of experience as a consultant working with employee-owned companies, and she has assisted in the implementation and growth of dozens of employee-owned firms. Prior to joining Ventura, Jennie worked as a Consultant at Praxis Consulting Group, where she provided ESOP communications, financial literacy training, strategic planning, and other organization development services to employee-owned companies. Jennie previously served as a Program Director at the nonprofit organization the ICA Group, where she directed the organization’s employee ownership transition program. [Company Website](https://www.venturaesop.com) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-msall-140607113/) # Programming Committee: ### Brian Lowe First Financial ![Brian Lowe (First Financial)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Brian%20Lowe.jfif) [513.325.5223](tel:513.325.5223) [Brian.Lowe@bankatfirst.com](mailto:Brian.Lowe@bankatfirst.com) ### Brian Lowe First Financial Corporate Relationship Manager Brian Lowe is Vice President of the ESOP Finance Group at First Financial Bank. Brian has almost a decade worth of experience in areas such as consumer credit, SBA, traditional commercial and industrial lending, securitization finance, portfolio management, financial analysis, and ESOP lending. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s of Arts & Sciences degree and a Masters of Business Administration with a focus in finance and accounting from Northern Kentucky University. [Company Website](http://www.bankatfirst.com/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lowe-075a339a/) ### Holly Jones Maselan & Jones ![Holly Jones (Maselan & Jones)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Holly%20Jones.jpg) [781.626.1606](tel:781.626.1606) [hjones@maselanjones.com](mailto:hjones@maselanjones.com) ### Holly Jones Maselan & Jones Associate Holly E. Jones is an attorney with Maselan & Jones, P.C. She counsels clients on business succession planning, ESOPs and ESOP transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and a broad range of employee benefits issues, including issues involving qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, executive compensation plans, ERISA fiduciary duties and prohibited transactions, and health and welfare plans. She is a member of The ESOP Association, the National Center for Employee Ownership, the Valuation Advisory Committee of The ESOP Association, and the Membership Committee of the Mid Atlantic and Carolinas Chapter of The ESOP Association. Holly received her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. Previously, Holly was a Director of Litigation and Disputes for a large management consulting firm in DC. She received her B.A. from Wellesley College, where she was a member of the varsity rowing team, a student athlete advisory committee representative, and a coach for the dorm and class crew intermural programs.  [Company Website](https://maselanjones.com/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-jones-82571369/) ### Jake Helwick Adamy Valuation ![Jake Helwick (Pilot Hill Advisors)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Jake%20Helwick%20(Pilot%20Hill%20Advisors).jpg) [616.284.3704](tel:616.284.3704) [jhelwick@adamyvaluation.com](mailto:jhelwick@adamyvaluation.com) ### Jake Helwick Adamy Valuation Director Jake Helwick is a Director at Adamy Valuation. He specializes in valuation and financial advisory services relating to equity incentive plans, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs); transaction opinions; tax reporting; financial reporting; economic damages; business interruption; succession planning; corporate strategic planning; and other unnoted litigious matters across a multitude of industries. His background stems from several former roles at Adamy, and having worked in commercial credit at a large, Michigan-based bank. In his banking days, Jake participated in a multi-year leadership development program and was tasked with assessing credit risk and underwriting loans for real estate, commercial, and industrial purposes. Jake is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in Business Valuation and a graduate of Grand Valley State University (GVSU) where he dual majored in accounting and finance. He has served as a mentor to students in the Seidman College of Business at GVSU, and currently holds voluntary positions as a board member and the ACG Cup Committee Chair of the Association for Corporate Growth – Western Michigan Chapter. Jake is also an active member of The ESOP Association (TEA) and the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO). [Company Website](https://adamyvaluation.com/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-helwick/) ### Katie Wilusz Long Value Management Inc. ![Katie Wilusz Long (Value Management Inc.)](https://esopalliance.com/hubfs/Katie%20Wilusz%20Long%20(Value%20Management%20Inc.).jpg) [215.343.0500 x126](tel:215.343.0500%20x126) [215.767.0556](tel:215.767.0556) [kmw@valuemanagementinc.com](mailto:kmw@valuemanagementinc.com) ### Katie Wilusz Long Value Management Inc. Director Kaitlin Wilusz is a director at Value Management Inc. As a director, she is responsible for oversight of the financial analyst staff, providing research and performing financial and economic analyses for the valuation of closely held enterprises, professional practices and publicly traded securities. Ms. Wilusz specializes in closely held business valuations, specifically related to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). She has worked on dozens of ESOP transactions. Kaitlin holds ASA (American Society of Appraisers) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) accreditations. Ms. Wilusz is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Beta Gamma Sigma, the American Society of Appraisers, the CFA Society of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Alumni Board of Fairfield University. She is a director on the board of Liguori Academy and serves as chair of the Finance Committee. [Company Website](https://www.valuemanagementinc.com/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-wilusz-long-asa-cfa-46a05026/) Lets Connect Talk to Our Team Contact our team today to learn more about the ESOP Alliance [Contact Us](https://esopalliance.com/esop-contact-us-?hsLang=en) Lets Connect Talk to Our Team Contact our team today to learn more about the ESOP Alliance [Contact Us](https://esopalliance.com/esop-contact-us-?hsLang=en) [![White logo - no background](https://esopalliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20logo%20-%20no%20background.png?width=2000&height=318&name=White%20logo%20-%20no%20background.png "White logo - no background")](https://www.esopalliance.com?hsLang=en) FOLLOW US [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/esop-alliance/) [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:shane.ocasal@aon.com) - [Leadership](https://esopalliance.com/leadership-team) - [Members](https://esopalliance.com/members) - [Events](https://esopalliance.com/events-and-meetings) - [Contact Us](https://esopalliance.com/esop-contact-us-)