Steven Cooper ~ S.D. Cooper Company

Steven D. Cooper, President, has 25 years of Benefits Consulting and Pension Administration experience. Steve popularized The ERSOP(tm) Plan by being the first to make it accessible for franchisers and business brokers in 2000. He coined the term "ERSOP(tm)(Entrepreneur Rollover Stock Ownership Plan)" in 2001. He has owned and operated his own pension consulting and administration firm since 1984, designing several thousand plans over the years.

Scott C. Kern ~ franchiselawsource.com

Scott Kern practices franchise law nationwide from offices in New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Kern’s franchise industry practice is a broad mix: drafting franchise agreements and disclosure materials, transactional work, regulatory compliance matters and franchise litigation.

Mr. Kern’s firm provides counsel to franchisors on all legal matters they face and also represents franchisees in acquiring and starting franchised business and leasing real estate for their new enterprises.

Mark Costello ~ US Small Business Administration

Mark Costello has been with the Small Business Administration for 20 years. He serves as the agency's Lead Lender Relations Specialist for the Seattle District. In this capacity he is responsible for working with over 100 lenders and Certified Development Companies to deliver SBA guaranteed financing to small businesses throughout the State of Washington and Northern Idaho.