Rayser Holdings in Cedar Rapids has announced it has been named the 2024 National Employee Owned Company of the Year by The ESOP Association.
Rayser joins two other Iowa companies that have won the award in the past, Folience in 2022 and Van Meter in 2011.
This award was presented at the “Celebration of Excellence in Employee Ownership” awards gala on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Washington, D.C., during The ESOP Association’s National Conference.
The award celebrates the company’s dedication to employee ownership and its positive impact on the community, the economy, and employee owners, according to a news release.
“Receiving the National Employee Owned Company of the Year award is not just an honor; it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of every member of the Rayser community,” said Michelle Jensen, president and CEO of Rayser Holdings in a release. “This recognition reaffirms our belief in the power of employee ownership to empower individuals, strengthen our businesses, and enhance our communities.”
Rayser is celebrating 20 years of employee ownership in 2024.
According to the release, Rayser’s Chief Operating Officer, Angie Hoover, and marketing coordinator, Emily Burds, were in attendance at the awards ceremony to represent the company. Rayser was selected among the 19 chapter-level winners and three finalists to receive this award.
According to The ESOP Association’s website, “The ESOP Company of the Year is given to a company that excels at engaging its employee owners and educating them about the ESOP and company culture. This company also excels at engaging its elected officials to ensure continued support for ESOPs and is active in its local chapter.”
