Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
Vantage LED, manufacturer of innovative LED displays in Ontario, California, has converted to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
‘We Got Your Back’ is an intimate statement that has been a mantra for Vantage LED since its launch in 2003. The team behind Vantage LED knew by putting their people and partners first, everything else would fall into place.
Recently Chris Ma, founder and CEO, announced to his entire team that he has ‘got their back’ by officially converting Vantage LED to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
“The Company is nothing without its people,” Ma said. “As such, it’s time to take care of the people who make Vantage LED so extraordinary. That’s what you have been working for, you deserve it. Without your blood, sweat, and tears, and sacrifices, we wouldn’t be here today. And it’s because of people like you who work hard without asking for anything in return, that we’re able to do this. It’s a team effort, and as such, the team is going to be sharing in this success. I want to make sure that everyone is taken care of financially, physically, and emotionally, because we’re part of a bigger picture here, and I’m going to show you that with this first step.”
Although Chris Ma is only 37, he understands that everyone is working for the American Dream. In one fell swoop, he announced to the entire team that the dream is a reality. Everyone at the company from the receptionist to the cleaning crew is part of the ESOP, because everyone matters and plays a vital role in making Vantage LED great.
Vantage LED started in 2003 in a 2,920 sq. ft. building with 4 people. In 2013, Vantage LED introduced a cloud-based software solution that has integrated Amber Alerts through FEMA. In 2014, Vantage LED installed five large screens for the World Cup FIFA in Brazil. Now, it owns and operates out of a 150,000 sq. ft. facility in Ontario, California.
Paul Martin, chief marketing director, says that the company is now “a little over 100 people.”
The Vantage LED ESOP will be implemented in phases. By year-end 2016, the entire team will own 5% of Vantage LED. By year-end 2017, the entire team will own 30% of the company. Within five years, 100% of the company will be employee-owned. And the best part, the employees are part of the ESOP without having to contribute a single penny. All they have to contribute is their passion, their energy, and their commitment to excellence.
During the announcement, Chris Ma stated that Ivan Perez, director of resource and development; Josie Salitrero, national sales manage; Jon Park, production manager; and Steven Lopes, software engineer, would all be receiving a new car for their years of dedication and contributions. They join the ranks of the Yuusuke Arimura, George Suzuki, Ricky Chai, and Kyle Carnes, who were all given new cars in the previous years.
Ma also introduced new inductees to his Vantage Core team: Max Perez, Rosa Lopez, Krystal Becerra, Edwin Rodriguez, and Brittney Hanslik, “because they all share one common trait, always going above and beyond the call of duty.” The first project for this Vantage Core team is to implement an onsite Day Care Center for Vantage employees. It is being named Petroff’s Day Care in honour of a new friend Ma met in Orlando, FL, who inspired him to make a difference for families.
Ma says, “That’s what this company is all about. From top, down, left, and right, we have to get each other’s back, and when the time is right, you know for a fact that ‘I got your back because I know you got my back’.”
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