Patio Enclosures, Inc. the largest manufacturer and installer of sunrooms in North America, was named “ESOP Company of the Year 2007,” by
the Ohio/Kentucky Chapter of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan(ESOP)
Association. Patio Enclosures, Inc. was recognized for its commitment
to advancing
and exemplifying the “Vision of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Association” that endorses employee participation, wealth creation, and
individual dignity and worth.
“This
is a great moment for us and reflects our commitment to the ideals of
the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Association,” states Kenneth Sekley,
President and CEO of Patio Enclosures,Inc. “This award is a source of
employee pride and strengthens our commitment to the company’s continued
success.”
In addition, the Chapter also named Patio Enclosures, Inc. employee, Deborah McCourt as its “ESOP Employee-Owner of the Year 2007.”
Ms. McCourt was distinguished for her volunteer leadership on
the Employee Communications Committee as well as “Reduce Our Costs”
a.k.a. “ROC” teams. The ROC teams are dedicated to reducing company’s
operating costs to increase profitability and share value. Ms. McCourt
served on several communications subcommittees and partnered with
several remote branches to ensure that personnel remained updated
on employee ownership issues. A special recognition was presented to Patio Enclosures, Inc. Vice President of Human Resources, Floyd Griffin
for his past volunteer service to the Ohio/Kentucky ESOP Chapter. Mr.
Griffin is the Immediate Past President of the Ohio/Kentucky Chapter,
and on a national level previously chaired organization’s State and
Regional Chapter Council.
“Individuals
who act for the good of all, as Debbie and Floyd have, inspired
coworkers on all levels to act more as a team,” says Sekley. “They’ve
become examples for employees at other companies that are working
towards self-ownership.”
In
1996, the company’s Chairman and CEO, Robert Schneider initiated an
Employee Stock Ownership Plan agreement with company employees as a key
component of his management and succession preparations. Annual stock
purchases derived from company profits were made on behalf of the
employees until December 29, 2006, when the final shares of company
stock were bought by the employee stock ownership plan. To date, Patio
Enclosures, Inc., a sunroom manufacturer and installer, has 28
employee-operated branches across the US.
The
winners of the Ohio/Kentucky Chapter’s ESOP Company of the Year and
Employee of the Year are eligible for the National ESOP Association’s
Awards, which will be announced in Washington, DC at its 30th Annual Conference in May, 2007.
About Patio Enclosures, Inc.
Patio Enclosures, Inc. has been recognized for several years by Qualified Remodeler Magazine as the
Top Performing Sunroom Company in North America. Patio Enclosures, Inc.
operates 28 branch locations across the United States and Canada and
has more than 750 employee-owners. The company also operates three
casual living furniture stores in northeastern Ohio and one in
Pittsburgh.
About Ohio/Kentucky Chapter
The Ohio/Kentucky
Chapter is comprised of 97 companies. Currently, there are roughly
10,000 ESOPs in place in the US covering approximately 10million
employees and controlling assets of roughly $600 billion.