Wisconsin
Chapter Awards
See Our Chapter’s Award Winning Employees and ESOP Companies!
The following employee owners and ESOP companies have been honored by our chapter for their excellence and dedication to the values of employee ownership and their commitment to our community. Please join us in celebrating these terrific individuals and organizations!
Nominations for the 2020 Wisconsin Chapter ESOP Company of the Year and Employee Owner of the Year awards are now being accepted. Download your nomination form today to get started.
Want some help? Check out these helpful tips before putting your nomination together.
For more information, see the text below the list of award winners, or click the names of the winners below to see their applications.
2019 Wisconsin Award Winners
Employee Owner of the Year
2019
Sentry Equipment Corp
Awarded to an individual in the Wisconsin Chapter who excels at demonstrating and educating employee ownership values.
ESOP Company of the Year
2019
Awarded to the most exemplary ESOP company in the Wisconsin Chapter for the year.
2018 Wisconsin Award Winners
Employee Owner of the Year
2018
Stephanie Albright
Priority Sign
Awarded to an individual in the Wisconsin Chapter who excels at demonstrating and educating employee ownership values.
ESOP Company of the Year
2018
MSA Professionals
Awarded to the most exemplary ESOP company in the Wisconsin Chapter for the year.
2017 Wisconsin Award Winners
Employee Owner of the Year
2017
Lynette Fritz
OwnersEdge, Inc.
Awarded to an individual in the Wisconsin Chapter who excels at demonstrating and educating employee ownership values.
ESOP Company of the Year
2017
Ruekert & Mielke
Awarded to the most exemplary ESOP company in the Wisconsin Chapter for the year.
2016 Wisconsin Award Winners
Employee Owner of the Year
2016
Jenna Van Der Sande
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Awarded to an individual in the Wisconsin Chapter who excels at demonstrating and educating employee ownership values.
2015 Wisconsin Award Winners
ESOP Company of the Year
2015
Hatco Corp.
Awarded to the most exemplary ESOP company in the Wisconsin Chapter for the year.
2014 Wisconsin Award Winners
Employee Owner of the Year
2014
Tim Kramer
Priority Sign
Employee Owner of the Year
Awarded to an individual in the Wisconsin Chapter who excels at demonstrating and educating employee ownership values.
ESOP Company of the Year
2014
CC&N
Awarded to the most exemplary ESOP company in the Wisconsin Chapter for the year.
Why You Should Enter
Winners of the chapter awards for Employee Owner of the Year and ESOP Company of the Year are automatically entered in the national competition and earn:
- Plaque to display at company.
- Honored at Wisconsin Chapter Events and the Midwest ESOP Regional Conference.
Employee Owner of the Year Criteria
The Employee Owner of the Year should be an employee below the level of senior management. Despite the lack of a firm rule stating the employee owner has to be an hourly or non-management employee, these two terms can be general guides for the selection process.
The individual should be active in the employee ownership activities of the company and/or activities of The ESOP Association where appropriate. Examples for consideration are:
- Serves on the ESOP committee or an employee advisory committee.
- Contributes to a company publication.
- Helps with Employee Ownership Month (EOM) observances.
- Leads employees to a better understanding of the ESOP and employee ownership.
- Attends chapter meetings, helping with chapter meetings or activities.
- Provides letters to elected officials.
- Attends or participates in Association meetings such as the employee owner retreat and national conference.
ESOP Company of the Year Criteria
The ESOP Company of the Year has a commitment to employee ownership, as shown by its:
- Involvement with The ESOP Association and its programs.
- Communication with employees.
- Commitment to the Vision of The ESOP Association that endorses employee participation, wealth creation, and individual dignity and worth.
The company should be financially solvent and have more than one or two years of ESOP sponsorship. It is not necessary that the company have any one style of management, but overall there is an understanding that by some manner the majority of employees feel a sense of ownership or that the ESOP is important to the company and all individuals in the company.