Check out our big news in the Sacramento Business Journal! Article excerpted below by Emily Hamann. ... One of the Sacramento region’s largest construction companies is now owned by its 130 employees. Late last month, West Sacramento-based Brown Construction Inc. completed transitioning majority ownership of the company from CEO Ron Brown to a trust held on behalf of its employees. “I no longer own the shares of Brown Construction. It was converted to the employees,” Brown said. "That’s pretty emotional. It’s a pretty big event in my life, and my family’s life." Brown’s father Bill Brown started the company in 1964. Ron Brown took the business over from his father more than 20 years ago. A few years ago, Brown, now 62, began thinking about his own succession plans. Eventually, he decided to create an employee stock ownership plan and give all the shares in the company over to employees. “The biggest thing is it allows people in our company to retire at some point in their life, with a realistic amount of money that they can live off of,” he said. “They’re going to get a share in the profitability of this great company." The current management structure is staying in place, including Brown as CEO, president and head of the board, for now. Brown announced the transition to employees at a big event last week. “Everybody seemed thrilled,” he said. “This keeps everything intact,” he said. “It’s all systems go, and everybody succeeds as the company succeeds.”
Dang, I should have taken that job offer when I had the chance! Ha! 😀
I have been on a couple challenging projects. And, your company has always been stand up guys to work with (that is due to a companies leadership). I am happy for your team they are a group of great people.
Really cool perspective here. Brown Construction, Inc.
It's great to see the employees rewarded through an ESOP. Great move by Mr. Brown and congrats to all the new shareholders!.
Ron is truly one of the good ones, I had the pleasure of working for Brown Construction many years ago and it was one of the best experiences at a company, so happy for everyone involved!
That’s a very impressive thing to do… I worked for Ron for nearly 10 years and enjoyed my time there… that’s awesome for the employees. Congratulations to all.
I’ve always enjoyed working with Ron and the Brown team! They’re the best of the best!
Congratulations!
Great company! Cheers
Director of M&A, Western Region Assistant Director
9moThe article’s headline asks why he did it. Anyone who knows Ron already knows the answer… it’s because that’s just the kind of guy he is. Honorable. Altruistic. Dignified. Throughout the years, his values have been repeatedly demonstrated through his actions and reinforced again in this latest announcement. Further, the incrediblely talented team he’s built is most worthy of the handover. Legendary at all levels. Congrats to all!