In this episode, Makenzie Wirth interviews Joe Jones, Audit Partner at Berman Hopkins. As lead of the firm’s Construction Advisory Services Team, Joe shares his perspective on the recent trend of construction companies transitioning ownership to ESOPs. From audit considerations, valuation risks, bonding, backlog quality, governance, and jobsite culture, Makenzie and Joe provide practical advice for construction owners considering employee ownership.

In this episode of the Journey to an ESOP podcast, Jason and Makenzie kick off a new series that will continue throughout 2026: The Foundations of Transition, a workshop-style series focused on owner readiness. Each episode builds on the last, creating a practical framework for navigating ownership transition. The first foundation explores owner readiness and identity, helping owners define their vision for ownership and the future of their business. The conversation centers on identity: how your values and beliefs shape who you are as an owner, guide your decisions, and influence the life of your company. Understanding identity is critical, as it affects not only who your business is today, but also what it becomes after transition.

Season 7 begins with a simple truth: change is inevitable, but being unprepared is optional. In this opening monologue, Jason introduces Continuity Through Change and outlines what this season will explore: leadership under motion, foundations that hold through transition, and the often-ignored emotional mechanics behind ownership decisions.