Reputation
The National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) updates an Employee Ownership 100 list each year – recognizing the nation’s largest companies that are at least 50% owned by an ESOP or other broad-based employee ownership plan. WSC is the 20th largest employee-owned company in the United States.
20th Largest Employee-Owned Company in the United States
Social Media
WSC recognizes that social networking platforms can be powerful digital communication tools for sharing ideas and exchanging information. We are committed to using social media to promote its brand and maintain communications with current and prospective employees, customers, business partners, vendors and suppliers and the public. WSC is focused on ensuring that its use of social network platforms serves its need to maintain its brand identity, integrity and reputation while minimizing risks to the company, its customers and employees. Employees who post to social media should be mindful that their online activities do not violate our social media policy.
WSC uses LinkedIn to share updates about our family of companies to employees, clients and the community. By the end of 2024, 3,114 people
followed the company page, a 25% increase from 2023. Throughout the year, the WSC LinkedIn page posted 89 times and garnered 134,298 impressions, 36,385 engagements, 32,417 post link clicks and averaged a 27.1% engagement rate.
Social by the Numbers
27.1%
ENGAGEMENT
RATE
25%
INCREASE IN
FOLLOWERS
30.9%
INCREASE IN
IMPRESSIONS
3.5%
INCREASE IN
PUBLISHED
POSTS
Industry Leadership
Employees in our family of companies author and submit articles to industry publications throughout the year, such as the Utility Arborist Association’s Utility Arborist Newsline. WSC has an internal editorial committee who brainstorm topics and determines subject matter experts to write articles.
In addition, many employees are active members of industry and professional organizations. We encourage our employees to get involved in the industries and communities we serve. These groups will be highlighted in individual company reports.
In 2024, Sam Mintle was the VP of Membership on the Executive Committee of the IA/NE Chapter of The ESOP Association. WSC’s Business Systems Administrator III, Sarah McFadden serves on the board of the Iowa/Nebraska Chapter of The ESOP Association. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Hicks serves on the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund Audit and Finance Committee. Senior Vice President & General Counsel Kyle McCann is
also a member of the TREE Fund’s Development Committee.
Vendors
WSC has implemented policies such as a Supplier Code of Conduct and Supplier Diversity Policy that our suppliers or service providers are required to follow. We seek out those that share our vision and follow a similar mission to reach our goals. We strive to work with local providers in our community. We understand that those we choose to work with will uphold our reputation in the community and with our current and future clients.
Corporate Communications
We continue to utilize the 13 TV screens throughout the building. The Culture Club and departments can create their own screens for approval
to inform employees of company or department news, events, reminders and important dates in history. These have also included progress on the compost and recycling program, Employee Assistance Program information, and days or months of recognition with educational information like Black History Month, Women’s History Month and more. It is an additional way to communicate with employees beyond email communications.
