Business View Magazine - Sept 2023

228 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 9 ago, the Blickenstaffs were looking to retire in Florida, and Aero was advertised for sale. The couple realized that most all of the viable buyers wanted to move the company out of state. They were concerned for the future of the loyal employees who had helped them to grow and maintain their business over the years. Mr. Blickenstaff began exploring the idea of an ESOP, and he eventually decided that this was the best option for everyone concerned. Thus in 2005, Aero Instruments became an ESOP company. It is totally ESOP-owned, and it is no longer even leveraged, as Schaeffer informs. “ESOP shares are undoubtedly a huge perk to employee shareholders,” she adds. “Some of the areas that set us apart are that each year everyone in the company strives to bring that share value up, and it has increased from a low of $64 per share about six years ago under previous management to $528.40 this year. As part of new employee onboarding, we explain the benefits of