In construction, careers aren’t just shaped by the projects you work on—they’re shaped by the companies you build them with. An industry defined by constant change and competition requires more than a paycheck. It requires stability, opportunity and a clear connection between the work you do and the value you create.

At McCownGordon, employee ownership is designed to bring those elements together.

A Different Ownership Model

McCownGordon is proud to be a 100% employee-owned company.

Unlike many organizations where ownership remains privately held with founders, leadership or outside investors, ownership here is fully held by associates through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). That distinction matters because as the company grows and performs, the value created is shared across the people building it. Associates share in the financial successes of the company, and the value of their ESOP continues to grow over the duration of their employment with McCownGordon.

At its core, the ESOP allows associates to build value over time based on company performance without contributing their own funds. Separate from traditional retirement savings, this model has helped associates generate meaningful retirement wealth. It aligns the success of the business with the success of its people.

Research continues to support the strength of this ownership model, with employee-owned companies demonstrating strong long-term performance and, in many cases, outperforming non-ESOP owned companies and the stock market.

Long-Term Financial Benefit

At McCownGordon, that long-term growth is reflected in the company’s own ESOP journey. An initial cash investment of $1,000 when the company became 100% employee-owned in 2015 would be worth nearly $180,000 today. Additionally, the average ESOP account balance exceeds the average associate 401k retirement balance.

For additional comparison, McCownGordon’s average annual share price appreciation over the last five years is in excess of 15%, compared to an average annual appreciation of 8-10% for major stock market indices during the same period.

In total, associates at McCownGordon experience retirement contributions and returns equal to approximately 20%-30% of their gross compensation on an annual basis, which is 2-3x more than annual retirement contributions at non-ESOP companies.

Stability That Holds Up Over Time

Construction moves with the economy, so the ability to navigate change matters.

Studies show employee-owned companies are more likely to retain employees and avoid layoffs during economic downturns. That resilience is often tied to a long-term mindset—one where decisions support both the business and the people behind it.  McCownGordon has displayed this resiliency numerous times over the course of its ESOP journey, always coming out of economy uncertainty and disruption as a stronger organization.

In practice, that means focusing not just on short-term results, but on sustaining momentum towards strategic plan goals and opportunity through changing conditions.

How Ownership Shows Up in the Work

At McCownGordon, ownership connects directly to how work gets done. The factors that drive the company’s performance, and ultimately the value of its ESOP, are the same factors that shape day-to-day work:

• Winning the right projects and building a strong backlog
• Delivering projects with consistency, integrity and operational excellence
• Investing in our people through training and development programs
• Building a strong and engaged culture
• Cultivating long-term customer relationships
• Managing risk and executing on our strategic plan initiatives
• Making strong investments in the communities we live and work in

Each of these elements contributes to the company’s success, and in an employee-owned company, that success is shared, creating a direct connection between individual contribution and long-term value.

Associate Perspectives 

“The ESOP gives us all a financial stake in what we’re building and proves that hard work delivers real results. As employee owners, we take greater pride in what we do and stay focused on moving our company and stock program forward.” – Ian Fitch, Senior Project Engineer

“I’ve been with the company for over 20 years, and the ESOP is a huge financial boost for me and my family in retirement. Employee ownership is more than a piece of paper that says you’re a stockholder. It influences how we think about every decision we make and encourages us to approach our work with greater responsibility and long-term perspective. “ – Kenneth Bonin, General Superintendent

Making Ownership Tangible

Understanding employee ownership goes beyond knowing how it works; it’s about seeing how it builds over time.

McCownGordon emphasizes transparency through annual share valuation updates and tools like the ESOP calculator, which allow associates to explore how ownership and traditional retirement savings can grow together. By factoring in assumptions for compensation growth, market conditions and company performance, the calculator helps illustrate the long-term value of employee ownership alongside other retirement benefits.

Each year, associates see that ownership take shape when the company shares its updated share price and growth in associate ESOP account balances. This moment gives associates a clear view of how their contributions translate into real growth over time. The annual Share Price Reveal meeting makes ownership tangible, connecting everyday contributions to something measurable.

Ready to build your future? Explore careers at McCownGordon.