Wiley|Wilson is proud to have been named the ESOP Association’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter (MAC) Company of the Year for 2022. The MAC recognizes a member company that has exhibited outstanding employee-ownership behavior and an exceptional commitment to the ESOP model.

“We are honored to have earned this award from the MAC and the ESOP Association,” said Dennis Knight, Wiley|Wilson Chairman. “The MAC represents some of the most forward-thinking employee-owned organizations in the area, so it is a high compliment to be selected from among such an incredible group of companies. At Wiley|Wilson, we take great pride in our ownership culture and it is evident in every aspect of our business, from how we deliver for clients to how we connect internally.”

During the pandemic, the company transitioned to a virtual work environment, which challenged the firm’s ESOP Ownership Committee to develop new ways to keep employee-owners connected. From virtual trivia games to recorded oral histories to regular ownership-related stories on the company Intranet, the Committee kept everyone engaged.

The company recently unveiled new vision and mission statements, both of which center on employee-owners and their experiences. Additionally, input collected from employee-owner feedback led to significant changes in several company policies.

“This award is testament to the shared ownership commitment of all employee-owners at Wiley|Wilson,” said Ezra Bailey, who chairs the company’s ESOP Ownership Committee. “Everyone embraces the ownership mindset and it’s one of the things that makes our culture so special and unique. We have a vested interest in our success and that drives us all to go above and beyond every day.”

The Company of the Year was announced at the MAC’s annual Spring Conference. At that event, Connie Burnette, Vice President and Department Manager, Human Resources, was recognized for her outstanding efforts assisting the MAC over several years. Connie is outgoing MAC President but retained the role during the pandemic, ensuring the Chapter provided helpful guidance and support to its members.