Eau Claire, Wis. (July 1, 2021) – Realityworks, Inc. is proud to announce its transition to a 100% employee-owned company through the sale to the Realityworks Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The announcement was made at the annual shareholder meeting on July 1st involving all employees of the company.
Realityworks’ ESOP was established in 2011, when founders Mary and Rick Jurmain sold the first shares to the ESOP. With an ESOP ownership structure, the company provides stock ownership at no cost to employees. As the company’s value – its stock – grows, employee accounts grow in value. ESOP plans, like that at Realityworks, are federally governed under retirement legislation similar to 401(k)s. According to the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) there are approximately 6,600 ESOPs in the U.S. covering about 14 million employee-owners.
“Being 100% ESOP means the employees can grow their retirement balance based on the work they do every day to help the company achieve its goals,” said Mary Boettcher, Realityworks CFO. “I believe this is the most unique retirement benefit a company can offer, because the employees can directly affect growth in their own retirement savings, and it’s a great supplement to the 401(k) plan the company also has in place.”
To learn more about Realityworks, visit www.realityworks.com/about
About Realityworks, Inc.
Established over 20 years ago, Realityworks, Inc. is dedicated to creating experiential learning tools that engage students, help educators teach needed skills and provide career exploration opportunities. Realityworks comprehensive learning solutions combine curriculum with hands-on learning tools, student activities and assessments to create innovative classroom-based learning environments that make a difference. These solutions are used in middle, secondary and post-secondary schools to address a variety of Career & Technical Education pathways, including health & human services, health sciences, welding and trade skills, agriculture education, sex education and more. With simulators in more than 70 percent of U.S. school districts and programs in more than 90 countries around the world, Realityworks has made a worldwide impact on the lives of youth all over the world. For more information, visit www.realityworks.com, or call toll-free 800-830-1416.
