The Stewardship Decision: How Mark Lee Led Baker Roofing to Employee Ownership

Baker Roofing's transition to employee ownership (ESOP) represents a bold commitment to preserving company culture while creating lasting value for its workforce. In this candid conversation, Baker Roofing CEO Mark Lee shares the compelling journey of transitioning the company to employee ownership through ESOP. From his early days on roofing crews to leading a transformative shift in company structure, Mark discusses why empowering employees with ownership makes sense, the importance of stewardship, and his vision for maintaining Baker's culture while creating lasting value for its people. Discover how this 100+ year old company is revolutionizing its future by betting on its greatest asset - its employees.

Baker Roofing's transition to employee ownership (ESOP) represents a bold commitment to preserving company culture while creating lasting value for its workforce.

In this episode of Under the Roof, hosts Todd Kavanaugh and Matthew Elban sit down with Mark Lee, CEO of Baker Roofing, to discuss the company's groundbreaking move to become employee-owned, exploring the motivation, implementation, and vision for the future of this significant transition.

What You’ll Learn:

Why employee ownership made strategic sense for Baker Roofing's future and culture
How the ESOP structure creates long-term value for employees while maintaining company values
The evolution of leadership responsibility from private ownership to stewarding an employee-owned organization
Why experience and longevity in the roofing industry create unique advantages for employee ownership
How Baker's ESOP structure differs from traditional corporate models and private equity ownership
The importance of maintaining long-term strategy over short-term financial gains in an ESOP environment
Why stewardship becomes a shared responsibility across all levels of an employee-owned organization
How employee ownership can enhance recruitment, retention, and company culture while securing retirement benefits for workers

About the Guest:

Mark Lee is the CEO of Baker Roofing Company, bringing over 25 years of industry experience from his start on roofing crews to his current leadership role. As the driving force behind Baker Roofing's transition to employee ownership (ESOP), Mark has demonstrated his commitment to fostering a culture of shared success and sustainable growth. His journey with Baker Roofing exemplifies the company's values of service, stewardship, and employee development. Under his leadership, Baker Roofing has evolved into an employee-owned organization with more than 1,000 team members, reflecting his vision of creating lasting opportunities for employees while maintaining the company's century-old legacy of excellence in the roofing industry.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Intro: Welcome to Under the Roof with Baker Roofing Company
[01:32] Mark's Latest Book Recommendations and Corporate America Insights
[02:57] Origins of the ESOP Decision: Learning from Peer Experiences
[04:58] Mark's Early Days: Lessons Learned as Project Manager
[06:41] The Inspiration Behind Employee Ownership
[08:55] Corporate Leadership: Choosing Service Over Greed
[13:22] Why Baker Chose 100% Employee Ownership
[16:34] The Impact of Long-Term Employee Commitment
[18:35] Balancing CEO Responsibilities in an ESOP Structure
[21:00] Understanding Stewardship in Employee Ownership
[24:52] Vision for Baker's Future as an ESOP
[25:51] Addressing Employee Skepticism About ESOP
[29:37] Frank's Church Story: Learning from Past Experiences
[31:45] Closing Thoughts: Building Baker's Employee-Owned Future

Episode Resources:

The Baker Roofing Company website