Clean Scapes becomes fully employee-owned

The company ranked 30th on Lawn & Landscape's Top 100 list.

Ivan Giraldo, co-founder and president

Clean Scapes recently transitioned to an 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). 

"The success of our company can be directly attributed to the culture we have created and maintained at Clean Scapes,” said Ivan Giraldo, co-founder and president of the Austin-Texas based company. “Transitioning to an ESOP allows Clean Scapes to maintain its character while executing its vision of becoming Texas’s most trusted commercial landscape partner. 

“With quality labor being one of the commercial landscaping industry’s largest concerns, it is important for Clean Scapes to establish a benefit that attracts new employees and incentivizes those wanting to establish a career with Clean Scapes.” 

READ MORE: Ivan Giraldo was one of our Leadership Award recipients in 2020 | He joined other industry leaders on the recently named NALP board of directors 

An ESOP is a type of tax-qualified defined contribution plan through which eligible employees will receive a benefit linked to Clean Scapes’s future value. The company ranked 30th on Lawn &Landscapes Top 100 list with almost $70 million in 2020 revenue.

“Clean Scapes has always valued our employees, without them we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said Damien Matherne, CFO. “In my opinion, commercial landscaping is an under-appreciated industry. From technology to logistics to relationships, it is a complex business that requires multiple skill sets. By transitioning to an ESOP, we are establishing ourselves as more than just industry leaders. We are establishing ourselves as a business leader in Texas regardless of industry.”