Bonner Springs, Kansas – Last week, ESCA Leadership & Development Council Member, Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc., hosted Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS-3) at the company’s headquarters in Bonner Springs, Kansas. During her visit, the congresswoman learned about Berkel & Company’s core business practices from the company’s President / CEO Greg Righter, CFO Grant White, and Executive VP / COO Jason Fox. After the in-depth meeting, the congresswoman met with Berkel & Company’s employee-owners for a small group discussion and heard about the benefits of the ESOP and being an employee-owned company.
“Berkel & Company is a major employee-owned business in the Third District, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more about Berkel’s business model and to speak directly with employees during my visit,” said Congresswoman Davids. “It’s essential that we support entrepreneurs, employees and businesses in the Third District, and I look forward to taking what I learned from Berkel to Washington so I can continue to advocate for our region.”
“The ESOP at Berkel started years before most companies considered the concept of employee ownership,” said Righter. “We are proud of our long history of employee ownership and believe that the values of our ESOP shine through in every one of our construction projects. Thank you to Rep. Davids for coming to learn about our ESOP model.”
This visit aligned with ESCA’s new member education program as Rep. Davids was elected to Congress last November. She said she was a fan of ESOPs and would look into cosponsoring pro S ESOP legislation when she returns to DC after the 4th of July holiday.
Founded in 1959, Berkel & Company Contractors has grown in to one of the largest piling contractors in the United States. It provides specialty foundation works in the continental United States, such as installing auger pressure grouted piles and auger pressure grouted displacement piles, shoring and earth retention, and ground improvement and stabilization. Projects include many stadiums throughout the country, the Pentagon, the World Trade Center site, entertainment venues, hotel resorts, casinos, power plants, and high-rise buildings. Berkel & Company has over 800 employee-owners across the country including 150 at its headquarters. Berkel & Company has been an active member of ESCA since 2014.