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About Us
Blue Ridge ESOP Associates is the largest independent ESOP and 401(k) Third Party Administration and Recordkeeping firm. Blue Ridge ESOP Associates employs the finest professionals in the business and has over 30 years of experience providing quality third party administration services. ESOPs and 401(k) plans require extensive technical training to understand the rules and regulations that govern them. All of our administrators participate in continuing professional education to stay current with changes in the Internal Revenue Code and Department of Labor and Treasury Regulations. Our senior professional staff members are actively involved in the industry and are dedicated to maintaining their professional qualifications through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries(ASPPA), the recognized professional society for employee benefits professionals. In addition to ASPPA qualifications, our administrators pursue their ESOP specialty through membership in The ESOP Association and the National Center for Employee Ownership and often attend professional conferences dealing specifically with ESOPs. Several of our senior staff members are frequently asked to share their expertise with the ESOP community by speaking at these conferences and writing articles for professional journals.
In addition to our administrators, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates also employs experienced finance professionals, CPAs and an attorney to handle Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and Department of Treasury issues, ESOP trust accounting, and any questions or concerns from your accountants, auditors, bankers and attorneys.
As an independent service provider, we work with a variety of professionals in the industry who provide design, implementation, financing and valuation services. We participate in the design and implementation phase to ensure that the Plan will meet the needs of the sponsoring company, and comply with complex ERISA and IRS regulations.
History
Blue Ridge ESOP Associates was founded in 1988 to provide high quality, technically proficient, independent administration and recordkeeping services for employee benefit plans.
As we grew, we developed a specialized expertise in serving the unique needs of companies that sponsor Employee Stock Ownership Plans. We expanded our ESOP professional services to include a complete suite of ancillary services, such as distributions and 1099 processing. We were the first to offer a comprehensive on-line tool, ESOPConnection, to enable our clients to provide online access to their employees and the ability to manage their ESOP online. We also offer flexible and coordinated 401(k) administration for our ESOP clients.
As an independent service provider, we work with a variety of professionals in the industry who provide design, implementation, financing and valuation services. We participate in the design and implementation phase to ensure that the Plan will meet the needs of the sponsoring company, and comply with complex ERISA and IRS regulations.
"I couldn’t be more satisfied with the ‘above and beyond’ services we get from BREA. Not only do they handle all my distribution processing - right down to cutting checks to participants - they’re also accurate, cost effective and streamline the entire administrative process for me. Our administrator is very professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and patient!"
- Gladys Human, Retirement Benefits Administrator, Harkins Builders, Inc.
Principals
Marie S. Minton, CFA
Ms. Minton has over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing and corporate finance and was a Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of a private ESOP company, where she was responsible for the design, implementation and financing of the company’s ESOP, served as the ESOP Trustee and oversaw the ESOP administration and trust accounting functions. She is a member of: the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Washington, DC. She served on the Education Committee and Chaired the Scholarship Program of the CFA Society of Washington, DC, where she also served as a faculty member for the CFA Study Program. She served on the Board of Directors, Audit Committee and Chaired the Executive Compensation Committee of Essex Corporation, (NASDAQ: KEYW). Ms. Minton served on the ESOP Audit Committee of Swales Aerospace. Ms. Minton received her Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia.
Gregory S. Washburn, Esq.
Mr. Washburn is an attorney with over 27 years of experience in interpreting and implementing U.S. Treasury Department (IRS) and U.S. Department of Labor regulations. He was Vice President of Corporate Finance for an international investment bank. In his twenty years of practice in the legal and finance fields, Mr. Washburn has structured and closed such complex financial transactions as management buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, going-private transactions, and public offerings. Greg has broad industry experience in financial services, communications and technology, with particular expertise in the business services industry. He is a member of several state bar associations. Mr. Washburn received his Bachelor of Art in Economics from the University of Connecticut, his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law, and his Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
We're Hiring!
We’re always looking for great people! Do you want to use your skills to support a fast-paced, growing business? Are you looking to advance your career in an entrepreneurial environment?
Our main office is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, although our client base is nationwide. We are one of the top 3 companies in the nation that provides ESOP recordkeeping and administration services. We are seeking detail-oriented, dedicated individuals to join our team.
Our Mission: Blue Ridge ESOP Associates serves our industry by providing the highest quality administration services for ESOP and 401(k) plans. We work with clients in a diverse spectrum of industries and size. We are a top firm searching for candidates who share our pride in personalized attention and service, timeliness and technical proficiency and innovation. Our supportive, challenging environment fosters respect, integrity and professional growth among our staff. Our mission is to be the ESOP administration firm of choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ESOP? Podcast
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Why Blue Ridge ESOP?
Blue Ridge ESOP has over 30 years of expertise in administering defined contribution plans. We seamlessly apply that knowledge to our 401(k) services, bringing you comprehensive administration for your 401(k) and employee stock ownership plans.
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