The Worm's Way Group, Jaracz-Steier Honored with Top Awards

The Worm’s Way Group, a national leader in the distribution and manufacture of year ‘round and organic gardening supplies for more than 21 years, has been recognized by the Indiana Chapter of the National ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) Association as Company of the Year. The company’s ESOP was initiated in 2000. Today 49% of the stocks are shared by the eligible employee-owners, giving each participant a vested interest in the company’s future.

Furthermore, Kristin Jaracz-Steier, human resource specialist for The Worm’s Way Group and secretary of the company’s ESOP communications committee, was named Employee-Owner of the Year. Instrumental in the establishment of Worm’s Way’s current ESOP culture, Jaracz-Steier relayed, “There are a lot of hard-working people who are deserving of this award and I feel honored that I was chosen. The committee takes a lot of time to make our ESOP the best it can be. I like to think that I have helped my co-workers better understand the ESOP.”

Awards and accolades were given in February during the 2007 Round Table ESOP Discussions held at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Worm’s Way Group and Jaracz-Steier are Indiana’s chapter nominees for the 2007 national awards which will be announced at the 30th annual National ESOP Conference in Washington, D.C. later this year.

LOCAL PRESS NOTES: Graphics are available upon request. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Patrick Petro, ESOP committee chairperson for The Worm’s Way Group, at (812) 876-6450.