2025
Comparably’s Best Company Outlook
100% Employee Owned
Employee Owned Since 2000
SWCA is More Than Just a Business. It’s a Community of Employee-Owners.
What does that mean? At SWCA, you’re not just an employee. You’re an owner. When you join our team, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Each year, SWCA contributes money to the ESOP, and shares are allocated to our employee-owners at no cost to them. You’ll boost your retirement assets as your career grows with SWCA.
25%
Average annual share price growth over the last 5 years
25
Years building an ownership-driven culture
We all play a vital role in SWCA’s success. The ESOP is one way the company encourages the tangible pride all employees take in their work.
Jana Sterling
Vice President, Southwest
Why ESOPs Matter
Senior Accounts Payable Supervisor, Phoenix, AZ
Marty Salas
“I joined SWCA in 2019 and it has been so refreshing to be a part of a company that can only be described as bigger than that. It’s a community where we encounter our people living our values whether it’s during an employee going through something in their personal life, something challenging at work, or simply participating in a Gives Back event. We are a community and it’s felt.”
Vice President | Science and Technical Services, Kailua, HI
Jaap Eijzenga
"I joined SWCA over 13 years ago to join a professional company that offers career opportunities. I stayed because of the amazing, passionate, hard-working, talented, and kind people in the company. The culture of ownership is a strong driver of our collaborative and supportive SWCA community. I am excited about the company we are all working together to build for the future and the ever-growing team."
Principal Client Services Lead, Denver, CO
Kallin Snow
“Working with the leadership team, all of our discussions come back to whether this shows how much we care for our staff. I am deeply impressed by how our culture of caring is sincere and is truly the driving force and energy behind how our company operates.”
Principal Restoration Ecologist, Denver, CO
Nate Wojcik
“SWCA has a very strong sense of community. I am happy to be a part of the SWCA family and surround myself with some of the brightest scientists in the industry.”
Senior Natural Resources Director, Durango, CO
Paige Marchus
"I have loved my career at SWCA for the past 15+ years because I have always had great opportunities here. Opportunity to learn a wide variety of skills, grow professionally, work with the smartest people in the business, tackle resource management issues with innovation and creativity, and also have work-life balance and flexibility. I'm really proud to work at a company that stands behind its core values, and these core values align with my own."
Vice President | Program Management, Salt Lake City, UT
Reid Persing
"I love working for SWCA because the company has always encouraged me to lead with an entrepreneurial mindset where I have passion or see opportunities. This has kept me engaged over the years – I've been supported in my own career development, in pursuing interesting clients and projects, and had the chance to meaningfully contribute to others’ careers. The cherry on top has always been the opportunity to be a part of our truly industry-leading team that knows how to have fun at work."
By investing in our people and fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented environment, we’ve built the dynamic company we are today. As employee-owners, we are all deeply invested in SWCA’s success, approaching our roles with an ownership mindset that empowers us to innovate, collaborate, and support one another. This shared commitment drives our success and helps us continuously evolve as a team.
Frequently Asked Questions
At SWCA, employee ownership means every team member has a stake in our success. Through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), we’re all invested in doing great work for our clients, our communities, and each other.
The ESOP is a long-term retirement benefit that doesn’t require employee contributions. Each year, SWCA allocates shares to eligible employees at no cost, building real value over time as the company grows.
Our clients work with teams who think like owners. That means proactive problem-solving, collaborative thinking, and a firm commitment to delivering exceptional results every step of the way.
No, employees don’t buy in to an ESOP—ownership is earned. Shares are awarded based on time with the company and other factors. Your impact and your future grow together.