Re-Energizing ESOP Engagement at Carris Reels
As one of the nation’s leading champions of employee ownership, Carris Reels understands a common challenge faced by many mature ESOP companies: sharing their great ESOP story and plan details with new energy and excitement. Since starting their ESOP in 1994, Carris Reels has remained deeply committed to keeping the plan fresh, relevant, and meaningful for their employee-owners.
Turning Education into Experience
To support that mission, Carris Reels partnered with Blue Ridge ESOP Communication Services to create an engaging and impactful learning experience across nine locations in seven states. Blue Ridge team members Danny Lamastra and Jim Bado facilitated 28 sessions of “The Great Game of Ownership,” a custom designed, high-energy trivia competition built specifically for Carris Reels. This interactive one-hour session wasn’t your typical training – it was a fun, team based challenge packed with laughter, prizes, and meaningful connections to ESOP principles.
“What made this experience so valuable is that it brought ESOP education to life,” said Kathy Brytowski, Director of Human Resources. “It wasn’t just about learning facts; it was about feeling the impact of employee ownership. When people are laughing, competing, and connecting the dots between their work and our shared success, that’s when real understanding happens. That’s what we were aiming for.”
Making Learning Fun – and Effective
Why gamify ESOP education? Because active engagement drives real learning. Studies show, and our experience confirms, that audience engagement and retention skyrocket when participants are actively involved. “The Great Game of Ownership” turned ESOP education into a memorable experience, and the results were clear: employees were energized, better informed, and more connected to their ownership culture.
By offering small group sessions in both English and Spanish, Carris Reels ensured that all employees, regardless of language or location, could fully participate. this thoughtful approach not only improved comprehension but also reflected the company’s commitment to inclusivity and respect for its diverse workforce.
From Engagement to Impact
“Employee ownership makes us a better company,” said Dave Fitz-Gerald, CFO. “But we can’t reach our full potential unless our employee-owners truly understand how it works and how their daily contributions drive our shared success. That’s why we invested in this ESOP learning experience with Blue Ridge — to help make those connections clear, engaging, and lasting.”
This investment in ESOP education wasn’t just about boosting morale – it was a strategic move to strengthen performance and deepen engagement. Research consistently shows that employee-owned companies outperform their competitors. But tapping into the competitive advantage of employee ownership requires more than just setting up an ESOP. The real magic happens when employees clearly understand how their work drives value into their ESOP accounts. Helping employees connect the dots between their daily actions and long-term financial rewards strengthens engagement, improves performance, and ultimately benefits the entire organization.
Ready to Bring Your ESOP to Life?
If you’re looking to refresh your ESOP communications and build a stronger ownership culture, we’re here to help. Let’s create an experience your employees will never forget—and one that drives real business results.
To get started, contact our ESOP Communication Services team at ESOPCommunication@oneblueridge.com.
