The San Rafael, Calif.-based landscape management company Gardeners’ Guild reached a business milestone this month with the announcement that the company is now 100 percent employee-owned.
The company’s Employee Stock Ownership Trust was created by company foudner Linda Novy in 1998 with the purpose of gradually transitioning the ownership and leadership of the company to its employees.
“Prior to this accomplishment, the Trust had purchased 40 percent of the shares of the company so Linda was still the majority owner,” explains President John Ossa. “This most recent transaction completed the transition to becoming 100 percent employee-owned.” Ossa notes that Gardeners’ Guild employees at all levels of the organization are given the opportunity to purchase stock in the company after a full year of employment. The amount of stock they are able to purchase is based on salary.
Novy now sits on the Gardeners’ Guild board of directors and serves as a company ambassador. President John Ossa, Vice President Kevin Davis and Chief Financial Officer Mike Davidson currently comprise the executive leadership team, which will continue to deliver quality service, environmental leadership and landscape management. Additioanlly, Dave Iribane, senior field supervisor – maintenance and water management and Heather Simon, senior field supervisor – maintenance are members of the Trust along with Ossa, Davis, and Davidson.
“The trust program benefits both our employees and our clients,” Ossa remarks. “The benefit to the employee is that they are more directly responsible for their own future. They realize that the better they take care of their customers, they’ll be rewarded with additional work that all benefits the company. There’s not “owner” at the top taking in the profits. The profits go the the employees.
“That leads directly into the benefits for the homeowner,” Ossa continues. “I think it’s true that with the Trust program, employees feel more empowered to take the extra step and go the extra mile on behalf of the customer because it ultimately benefits them.”
Gardeners’ Guild’s employee owners embrace the company’s core values emphasizing superior customer service, professionalism, teamwork and environmental stewardship. In an upcoming celebratory event, these values will be recognized by the customers and community Gardeners’ Guild serves. On July 25, the company will host a ribbon cutting ceremony with guests including San Rafael Mayor Al Boro and other individuals who have supported Gardeners’ Guild since its inception.
The author is Assistant Editor of Lawn & Landscape and can be reached at lspiers@lawnandlandscape.com.