When Synergy was founded more than 50 years ago, the mission was simple: help organizations harness technology to reach their potential. What has kept us moving forward since then isn’t just the pace of technology itself, it’s the people who bring it to life. From our earliest days in timesharing to today’s world of cloud, cybersecurity, and AI, Synergy has always been built by people who care deeply about our clients and communities.
That’s why being an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company isn’t just a line in our history. It’s the foundation of our culture. At Synergy, we don’t just work here—we own what we build, together.
What Is an ESOP?
An ESOP, or Employee Stock Ownership Plan, is a retirement plan that gives employees real ownership in the company. Unlike a traditional 401(k), employees don’t buy shares with their own money. Instead, the company sets up a trust that holds stock on behalf of its employees. Over time, those shares are allocated to individual employee accounts, growing in value as the company succeeds.
When employees retire or move on, the company buys back their shares at fair market value. That means every employee-owner has the opportunity to directly benefit from the company’s growth, not just through a paycheck, but through long-term wealth building.
Why Ownership Matters for People First
At its core, the ESOP is about people. It ensures that the very individuals driving Synergy’s success are also the ones who share in it. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Wealth Without Barriers
Employees don’t have to put in their own money to participate. Shares are earned over time simply by being part of the team, meaning everyone—from a new hire to a senior engineer—has the chance to build wealth.
- Retirement Security
Studies show ESOP participants typically have significantly higher retirement savings than workers at non-ESOP companies. At Synergy, every year of service contributes directly to long-term financial security.
- Job Stability and Security
Companies with ESOPs are far less likely to conduct layoffs compared to traditionally owned firms. Why? Because ownership creates alignment. Decisions aren’t made for distant shareholders, they’re made for the people who are here every day, building Synergy’s future.
- A Voice That Matters
Ownership builds engagement. When people know they have a stake in the outcome, they bring their ideas, energy, and commitment to work in a different way. Our culture is stronger because it’s rooted in shared responsibility and shared reward.
What It Means for Synergy as a Company
Of course, the ESOP doesn’t just benefit individual employees, it also makes Synergy stronger as an organization.
- Long-Term Continuity
Because ownership is shared, there’s no single owner or outside investor making decisions that might conflict with the company’s values. Instead, continuity is preserved, and decisions are made with long-term stability in mind.
- Performance and Growth
Research consistently shows ESOP companies outperform their peers. Employee-owners are more motivated, more collaborative, and more innovative, which leads to stronger results.
- Succession Without Disruption
Many companies face challenges when leadership transitions. An ESOP provides a smooth, transparent succession path that ensures the company remains in the hands of those who understand it best—the employees who live its mission every day.
- Stronger Culture
Being an ESOP reinforces what has always made Synergy unique: our culture of trust, teamwork, and mutual accountability. Employee ownership deepens those values and ensures they will guide us well into the future.
How Clients Benefit from an ESOP Company
It’s easy to see how employee ownership benefits employees and the company—but what about our clients? The truth is, they feel the difference too.
- Commitment to Service
When employees are also owners, their success depends on client success. That creates a powerful incentive to deliver excellence every time.
- Consistency Over Time
Because ESOPs promote long-term stability, clients know that the team serving them today will be here tomorrow. That continuity builds trust and strengthens relationships.
- Innovation That Matters
Employee-owners are invested in finding better ways to solve client challenges. Whether it’s streamlining processes, modernizing infrastructure, or enhancing security, ownership drives creativity and results.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
The workplace is changing. Across industries, employees want more than a paycheck—they want purpose, security, and a chance to make a real impact. At the same time, clients want more than vendors—they want partners they can trust for the long haul.
Being an ESOP company answers both. For employees, it means shared wealth and a voice in the company’s direction. For clients, it means stability, performance, and people who care as much about outcomes as they do. For Synergy, it means a culture where ownership isn’t abstract, real, tangible, and meaningful.
Our Future, Together
At Synergy, the ESOP isn’t just a retirement plan. It’s a philosophy. It’s the belief that the people who build our success should also benefit from it. It’s the understanding that ownership creates pride, purpose, and accountability. And it’s the commitment that our future will always be shaped by the people who make us who we are.
Every time a client chooses Synergy, they’re not just hiring a technology partner. They’re supporting a company where every employee is an owner, every owner is invested in results, and every result is shared. That’s the power of employee ownership—and it’s the heart of who we are.
