Dekker is Now 100% Employee-Owned

We all do better when we all do better

Dekker is excited to announce that we are now a 100% employee-owned architecture and design firm. This transition to employee ownership reflects our belief in the power of collaboration and our commitment to building a shared future.

Dekker employee-owned architecture and design firm

What does it mean to be an employee-owned company?

In traditional architecture and design firms, a small number of people own the majority of the company. As an employee-owned firm, every eligible employee is an employee-owner of Dekker. Owning a stake in the business fosters a culture where all employee-owners are accountable to each other, are empowered to think and act like owners, and benefit from equity for retirement savings.

At Dekker, our employee-ownership comes in the form of an ESOP – Employee-Owned Stock Program. This structure provides employee-owners with an additional, company-contributed retirement plan at no personal cost to the employee-owner.

Empowering every employee with ownership strengthens our drive to innovate, deliver great design, find efficiencies, improve our processes, and encourages other talented people to choose a career at Dekker. Every employee’s effort directly contributes to the value of the firm and the positive impact we make in our communities.

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Benefits of being an employee-owned architecture and design firm

Employee-owned companies prioritize shared success, firm-wide collaboration, and stable growth. These are just some of the benefits of being an employee-owned company:

  • Shared success: As the company grows so does each employee’s personal investment. This personal stake leads to steady growth and resilience. Employee-owned companies are 25% more likely to stay in business.
  • Retirement security: The shares earned in an ESOP contribute to long-term financial stability for employee-owners. Employee-owners of ESOP companies have on average more 2.5x larger retirement account balances.
  • Increased engagement: Ownership fosters a stronger connection to our mission, vision, and the work we do every day. This strong connection builds more resilient companies. Employee-owned companies are 4x more resilient than others in an economic downturn.
  • Empowerment: Every employee-owner has a voice in shaping Dekker’s collective future, knowing that their contributions truly make a difference. This empowerment leads to growth. ESOP companies grow on average 2.4% faster.
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Why you should work with an employee-owned architecture and design firm

Working with an employee-owned firm means working with a trusted partner that has a vested interest in the design work that they produce as well as the relationships that they develop.

At Dekker, we are dedicated to designing environments and experiences that serve people and empower communities. Through thoughtful problem-solving and a human-centered approach, we create spaces that are innovative, sustainable, and meaningful. This same commitment to purpose and quality extends to our ownership structure, making every employee a stakeholder in the outcomes we achieve together.

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Dekker is a firm built on the energy and expertise of creative thinkers, innovators, and technical experts. Being employee-owned ensures that this collective effort is recognized and rewarded. Dekker continues to deliver exceptional work that benefits our people, communities, and the planet.

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