North Arrow ABA Becomes a 100% Employee-Owned (ESOP) Autism Treatment Provider

Michigan-Based Company Becomes an ABA services ESOP, Empowering Employees and Reinforcing its Commitment to Community-Based Clinical Excellence

TRAVERSE CITY, MI — June 30, 2026 — North Arrow ABA, a Michigan-based provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services in the treatment of autism, announced that it has become an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, one of only a few ESOP-owned ABA service providers in the country. Founded in 2020, North Arrow ABA has grown with a mission rooted in clinical excellence, ethical care, and meaningful outcomes for children and families impacted by autism and related developmental disorders. By becoming employee-owned, the organization is taking a bold step toward preserving its community-based roots.

“This is about protecting who we are,” said Jonathan Timm, M.S., BCBA, LBA, North Arrow’s Founder. “Our employees are the heart of this organization. Becoming employee-owned allows us to build a future where the people providing care have a true stake in our client and company success, as well as a meaningful voice in our future strategy. We built this company from day one with an ESOP in mind, and with a very collaborative and transparent leadership culture.”

An ESOP operates as a qualified retirement plan, investing in company stock on behalf of employees, thereby providing an ownership stake at no cost to the employee. Under this new structure, employees build wealth based on the company's financial success and their contributions to achieving outcomes for North Arrow clients.

“We’re thrilled to bring an employee-ownership model to the ABA industry,” said Michael Dow, North Arrow’s Executive Director. “We felt that an ESOP best aligned with our values and emphasis on quality, responsible growth, and local decision-making over scale for the sake of scale. As the field of ABA service delivery continues to evolve, we hope to see North Arrow and more clinically-centered ownership models move to the forefront.”

Media Contact: Macrina Cipa, Director of Client Services, Macrina@northarrowaba.com, 231-268-0185

About North Arrow ABA

North Arrow ABA is a Michigan-based provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services dedicated to improving the lives of children with autism and related developmental disorders, when and where they need us. Headquartered in Traverse City, North Arrow was the first ABA provider in Michigan to earn accreditation from the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ).

Our roots in Michigan run deep. With multi-generational ties to the communities we serve, we're committed to building something that lasts. As a locally grown organization, we create local jobs, reinvest in our communities, and keep decisions focused on the families and regions we proudly call home.

Pictured Left: Jonathan Timm, MA, BCBA, LBA, Founder & Clinical Executive, and Michael Dow, Executive Director.

Pictured Right: A group of North Arrow ABA's employee-owners celebrating the organization's transition to 100% employee ownership.

Become an owner- explore careers!

  • An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a retirement benefit that gives eligible employees an ownership stake in the company. Instead of purchasing stock, employees receive company-funded contributions to an ESOP retirement account at no cost to them. As the company grows, the value of those shares may also grow, helping employees build long-term retirement savings.

    It's a benefit that reflects our commitment to supporting employees both today and in the years ahead.

  • From the beginning, North Arrow's founders believed the people who make our mission possible every day should have the opportunity to share in the company's success. Rather than selling to an outside investor or private equity firm, they chose to transition ownership to employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

    This decision preserves the culture, values, and clinical excellence that have guided North Arrow since day one while creating an opportunity for employees to build long-term financial security. It also ensures North Arrow remains locally led and focused on serving our employees, the families we support, and the Michigan communities we call home.

  • At North Arrow, a career is more than a job—it's an opportunity to make a difference while helping build the future of the company you support every day. Through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), eligible employees receive a company-funded retirement benefit that provides an ownership stake at no cost to them. Combined with a collaborative, purpose-driven culture, employee ownership reflects our commitment to investing in the people who make our mission possible.