2026 sustainability Report
COMMITMENT TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
commitment to a sustainable future
On behalf of all RESPEC employee-owners, I’m honored to share our 2026 Sustainability Report. As a 100 percent employee-owned company, our commitment to a sustainable future is personal—every team member contributes to shaping the world we want to pass on to the generations that follow.
Our purpose is simple yet profound: to enrich lives. This principle guides how we think, how we work, and how we show up for our clients and communities. It informs not only the solutions we deliver but the values we uphold and the relationships we build. With each project, RESPEC is helping restore and strengthen the environments where people live, work, and thrive.
Sustainability at RESPEC is rooted in partnership. By joining forces with clients, community leaders, and government organizations, we are addressing today’s most pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges. From advancing decarbonization efforts to restoring critical ecosystems and developing sustainable energy hubs, our collaborative efforts are shaping a resilient future.
As we look ahead, we invite our employee-owners, partners, and neighbors to continue this journey with us. Through passion, accountability, caring, and teamwork, we are building something larger than ourselves—a path toward responsible growth, enduring impact, and RESPEC’s continued leadership across North America well beyond 2030.
Sincerely,
Jason T. Love
JASON T. LOVE Chief Executive Officer/President
For RESPEC, being 100% employee-owned means every team member has a personal stake in shaping solutions that inspire sustainable growth and opportunity.
corporate commitment
Vision 2030 unites RESPEC’s sustainability commitment with our goals to develop our people, drive market leadership; build our brand; and create resilient, lasting value.
RESPEC’s vision, mission, purpose, values, and culture form the foundation of the partnership with our employees, clients, and communities. Our partnership mentality is about building lasting, mutually beneficial relationships to positively impact the quality of life for all of our stakeholders.
Strategic focuses
DEVELOP EVERY EMPLOYEE
» Attract, acquire, and retain the best talent
» Commit to personal and professional development through training and mentoring
» Invest in employee-owner leadership opportunities for future success
DOMINATE OUR MARKETS
» Invest in business development to maximize market opportunities
» Build on our competitive advantages in the marketplace
» Position ourselves for generational success through mindful planning of changing market conditions
» Leverage across teams to be an integrated solutions partner
» Empower the next generation of employee-owners to develop client relationships.
BUILD THE BRAND, LIVE THE PACT
» Breathe culture into everything we do
» Actively engage and immerse ourselves in our communities and industries
» Increase RESPEC’s market presence through visibility and engagement
» Remain committed to our clients and each other
BE RESILIENT
» Embrace adaptability and proactively respond to a changing world
» Seize opportunities by maintaining a balanced and diversified financial position
» Think and plan strategically for unforeseen volatility
employee engagement
Each year, RESPEC employees take an engagement survey to gather actionable feedback, empower leaders and teams to drive improvements, and maintain open communication across the organization.
The strategy ensures that employee voices shape workplace experiences and support long-term cultural and performance improvements.
Employee engagement is about the emotional and psychological connection we each feel to our work, our teams, and RESPEC as a whole. It shows up in how committed we are, how energized we feel, and how motivated we are to contribute to the company’s success.
High engagement isn’t just about satisfaction, it’s about being proud of the work we do, feeling supported and valued by those around us, and knowing our contributions make a difference. When engagement is strong, people thrive. Teams are more collaborative and productive. Innovation and quality rise. And companies perform at their best.
At RESPEC, an engaged workplace is how we bring our PACT to life!
My immediate manager cares about me as a person.
I feel accepted by my immediate coworkers.
The people i work with treat each other with respect.
I believe this organization will be successful in the future.
our employee engagement survey results showed that we exceed industry in the following areas:
The senior leaders of RESPEC demonstrate integrity.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
For 55 years, RESPEC has integrated engineering, applied sciences, and technology expertise with professional and creative services. As a global leader in diverse technologies, we draw from an array of knowledge, products, and services to deliver world-class solutions for business, mining, energy, water, natural resources, urban development, infrastructure, and enterprise services.
We see ourselves as a startup company with more than 50 years behind us. Through this view, RESPEC has always valued a curious, entrepreneurial spirit, encouraging our employee-owners to nurture their passions and grow their careers. This unique characteristic of investing in employees’ professional and personal growth enables RESPEC to continue making meaningful, sustainable, resilient contributions worldwide.
Our 700+ engineers, scientists, technologists, and support professionals are owners of everything: our products, our services, our outcomes, and our impact on quality of life. As a 100 percent employee-owned company, we all have a vested interest.
We are partners who:
Create powerful relationships between our clients and employee-owners.
An opportunity-driven organization focused on fulfilling our Purpose:
EnrichING quality of lives through our commitment to each other, our clients, and our communities.
Leave a positive impact on the environment and communities for generations to come.
Foster a culture where transparency and trust flourish.
Push boundaries and rethink what’s possible.
100% employee owned 700+ professionals
$155M+ in gross revenues 40+ offices across north america 55+ YEARS— FOUNDED IN 1969
WHO WE ARE
At RESPEC, our company culture is defined by our shared core values. These core values didn’t happen by accident or develop overnight; they were cultivated by the collective efforts of talented and dedicated people working toward shared goals.
We describe our core values as a PACT that exists between our coworkers, families, client partners, and communities. Our PACT represents mutual Passion, Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork, which manifests in every interaction we undertake. With dedication, we strive to be the best at everything we do while remaining true to our values. Our PACT represents the cornerstones of RESPEC and lends itself to a culture of shared successes, collaboration, and enjoyment.
Our PACT embodies our culture and values—a commitment to offer growth and exciting opportunities. These values shape who we are, creating an environment that makes a difference. To further evolve our commitment to our PACT, RESPEC established four PACT Ambassador subcommittees. These subcommittees provide guidance and formality to cultivate our values.
STEWARDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
RESPEC is deeply committed to the environment, aligning with our Purpose to enhance lives for our clients, communities, and future generations.
From our inception, we have prioritized environmental protection. Our team was critical in identifying a safe, environmentally protective way to address nuclear-waste disposal. Today, we are industry leaders in advancing resiliency, integrated water management, energy transition and storage, abandoned mine land reclamation, and decarbonization. We continue making
RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
Storing Summer Heat for Arctic Winters
Military bases in extreme climates face a costly paradox: generating heat year-round while needing it seasonally. Fort Wainwright burns coal daily to maintain steam systems, wasting summer energy that would otherwise be needed in winter.
RESPEC partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory to capture this surplus. Our design redirects excess steam to bore fields 300 to 800 feet deep, turning soil into seasonal thermal batteries.
This pilot assesses the potential for stored summer heat to offset winter coal consumption. RESPEC’s cold-region expertise ensures insulated piping withstands extreme temperatures and deep frost, potentially lowering fuel demand across remote military installations.
Turning Waste into Watts
Methane flared into the atmosphere represents more than wasted energy. It’s a missed opportunity to power operations, reduce costs, and shrink environmental impact.
At the Keystone Potato Products (KPP) facility in Hegins, Pennsylvania, RESPEC transformed this challenge into a competitive advantage. Our team evaluated digester gas technologies through a sustainability lens, balancing engineering performance, economic viability, and environmental benefit.
The solution: three C65 Capstone Green Energy microturbines converting waste methane into distributed power. The result improves digester efficiency, reduces water consumption, and lowers facility energy costs.
This $1.9 million decarbonization project secured 50 percent RISE PA funding, which helps KPP take a major step toward cleaner, more efficient operations.
Empowering First Nations Through Digital Innovation
protecting cultural resources
Empowering First Nations Through Digital Innovation
First Nations communities face systemic barriers in consultation processes that limit meaningful engagement and sovereignty over their lands. Fragmented data, inefficient workflows, and a lack of transparency prevent equitable protection of cultural resources.
RESPEC partnered with the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence to develop a Cultural Resources Information System (CRIS). Our discovery initiative examined workflows, stakeholder needs, and data challenges and revealed the need for a centralized technology platform that integrates GIS tools, financial tracking, and transparent consultation management.
The proposed platform streamlines project tracking, protects sacred sites, and ensures compliance. This phased approach combines technical innovation with cultural respect, empowering First Nations to assert sovereignty and strengthen land stewardship.
Award-Winning Climate Resilience
for Tribal Communities
Climate change amplifies natural hazards, yet most communities lack integrated plans that address immediate threats and long-term environmental shifts. Tribal communities face unique vulnerabilities requiring culturally informed strategies.
RESPEC partnered with the Metlakatla Indian Community (MIC) to develop a dual-purpose Tribal Hazard Mitigation and Climate Plan meeting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements. The plan identifies and assesses hazards, analyzes risks to people and facilities, and develops mitigation strategies through planning, policy updates, programs, and projects.
This innovative approach combines hazard mitigation with climate adaptation documentation, allowing MIC to evaluate impacts and adaptations. FEMA approved the plan without comment and requested permission to feature it as an example.
safeguarding alaska’s lifeline airports Resilient design
Alaska’s airports face an existential threat: thawing permafrost, flooding, erosion, and increased precipitation are undermining the infrastructure that isolated communities depend on. Limited funding and staffing make maintaining resilient systems nearly impossible.
RESPEC led the Western Alaska Airport Resiliency Study for the Alaska Department of Transportation, evaluating 29 airports. Our team conducted literature reviews, site visits, and stakeholder interviews, and analyzed five airports in-depth to link problems to causes and identify solutions.
The study reveals that funding constraints drive design choices, thus compromising stability. Our recommendations propose policy changes, engineering techniques, and maintenance procedures to build resilience into Alaska’s critical aviation infrastructure from the ground up.
Solving Southeast Alaska’s Waste Crisis
Rising transportation and disposal costs push Southeast Alaska communities into a financial crisis over solid waste. While some communities invest in infrastructure or policy changes, region-wide solutions remain elusive.
RESPEC is partnering with Southeast Alaska Solid Waste Authority and Southeast Conference to develop a Municipal Solid Waste Regional Strategy. Our team examines community needs, disposal costs, transportation logistics, best practices, and emerging technologies through outreach with local governments, tribes, and community members.
This strategy provides actionable steps to improve costs, logistics, and handling. The plan includes capital investment analysis, maintenance projections, and economic opportunities that will provide SEASWA with a roadmap for sustainable waste management.
RESTORING & SUSTAINING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Bridging Science and Action Across Minnesota
Managing statewide water quality requires connecting science to action. Complex hydrologic models often remain inaccessible to conservation professionals, creating a critical gap between data and implementation.
RESPEC developed watershed models covering 75 percent of Minnesota’s 80 major hydrologic units for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Our work spans hydrology, sediment, nutrients, and water quality parameters to support watershed restoration and protection strategies statewide.
We created the Scenario Application Manager to bridge this gap, translating complex watershed models into actionable tools for resource professionals. This decision-support system helps Minnesota identify priority areas and best management practices for maximizing water quality benefits per dollar invested.
Harnessing Microbes to Heal Contaminated Mines
Traditional mine remediation often demands energy-intensive treatment plants that require constant chemical inputs and maintenance. These systems impose perpetual costs on land managers.
RESPEC developed a semipassive bioremediation system for the Beal Mountain Mine in Montana’s Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. By stimulating native microbial communities with organic carbon in saturated mine backfill, the system converts soluble selenium into insoluble forms, protecting downstream fisheries in German Gulch, where trout reproduce.
Gravity moves water through the system, eliminating the need for pumping energy. Solarpowered additions of organic carbon maintain microbial activity with minimal intervention. This transferable approach offers federal land managers a cost-effective, self-regulating solution for legacy mine sites.
RESTORING & SUSTAINING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Reclaiming Boulder Creek from 80 Years of Contamination
For more than 80 years, mine waste buried Sherwood Creek in Boulder County, forcing water through contaminated material that released iron and tungsten into Boulder Creek. These conditions transformed a mountain stream into an environmental hazard.
RESPEC partnered with the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety to remove the waste and restore natural stream conditions. Our design incorporates riprap step pools mimicking mountain streams to control velocities while enhancing habitat.
This reclamation eliminates metal contamination at its source, resulting in improved water quality throughout Boulder Creek. Boulder County plans to reopen the restored site to the public, transforming an abandoned mine into an accessible natural space.
Restoring
Long Island Sound
Through Data-Driven Solutions
Nutrient pollution from Connecticut watersheds threatens Long Island Sound’s water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Without updated models, the state cannot effectively target mitigation or measure restoration progress.
RESPEC developed statewide watershed models for the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, covering thousands of stream miles draining to Long Island Sound. Our work includes embayment modeling for 75 coastal areas and using the Scenario Application Manager tool to translate complex hydrologic data into actionable strategies.
This decision-support system helps Connecticut identify priority areas and best management practices that deliver maximum water quality benefits per dollar invested, advancing Long Island Sound restoration through data-driven solutions.
strategic partners
Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence (The Centre) and RESPEC partnered to pursue projects benefitting Indigenous populations.
Our strategic partners’ mission is to provide sustainable strategies that bridge gaps in knowledge, growth, and natural resources. These partnerships advance trust and opportunities for people from all backgrounds. The partnership seeks to connect those who oversee Indigenous engagement and development of their natural resources with government officials, industry leaders, and professional consultants who offer services and technology solutions to support their projects.
This undertaking furthers the efforts of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations to support responsible development by using sustainable strategies that strengthen First Nations.
The Centre assists First Nations with responsible development of its natural resources. RESPEC unites engineering and applied sciences with technology, professional, and creative services, partnering with First Nations, communities, consultants, and clients worldwide. Because inclusivity improves outcomes, The Centre and RESPEC strive to enhance diversity and improve First Nations and communities everywhere.
our strategic partnership FOCUSES ON: Engaging
OPTIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THROUGH OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION
As an engineering consulting company, RESPEC is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a low-emitter greenhouse gas (GHG) organization. At an operational level, our team members are predominantly based in leased office environments. Consequently, the immediate environmental impact of our daily activities primarily revolves around office energy usage, business travel, and office supplies consumption. We reviewed our operations, policies, and procedures in our daily business activities; specifically, we estimated and calculated our GHG impact and found four areas where we can significantly improve.
10–20%
Business travel vehicle fleet
RESPEC maintains a small fleet of field vehicles. In the past year, 15% of our fleet was renewed with fuel-efficient and lighterweight vehicles to improve fuel use and emissions by 10% per vehicle. Future efforts will focus on potentially purchasing hybrid and electric field vehicles.
RESPEC enables a flexible workplace to reduce employee commute requirements. Approximately 15% of RESPEC’s workforce is fully remote, and all staff have a flexible work arrangement to work remotely.
We strive to reduce business travel through virtual meeting options for all levels of the organization. With reduced travel, audio and video virtual meeting minutes have increased in 2025 to 2.5 million hours . Management tracks and measures critical business meetings annually to optimize travel.
We can improve communication and education to better conserve energy in RESPEC’s office environments. RESPEC will continue to develop training to address conservation efforts by reducing energy, reducing water consumption, and recycling in our office environments.
TOMORROW
Our people and our communities are the heart and soul behind everything we do. We are working relentlessly to forge a better tomorrow for us all. Together, we are building a culture that enhances safety, champions diversity, and values inclusion. We strive to ensure our work brings lasting value to the customers and communities we serve. We actively support employee volunteerism and community engagement. Our policies and programs foster a culture where transparency and trust flourish.
30+ YEARS OF VESTED EMPLOYEE INTEREST
“Each employee-owner’s work affects the company as a whole. The better we all do, the better our share value, which benefits everyone.”
$15M+ of direct contributions to employee’s retirements over the past decade.
In 1992, RESPEC instituted an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and, in 2012, transitioned to a 100 percent employee-owned company.
Employee ownership at RESPEC begins on day one. The ESOP embodies inclusion and equity by sharing company success with the collective interests of all employees, and is, therefore a key driver in the company’s culture.
RESPEC’S ESOP COMMITMENT
growing responsibly to benefit employees now and in the future.
Remaining committed to the culture and values inherent to our success.
sharing company success by committing a minimum of 50% of pretax/ prebonus/retirement earnings directly to employees.
“Profits get funneled back into the people and business rather than into some investor's pocket.”
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Guided by our commitment to PACT, RESPEC is dedicated to building a safer, more sustainable future in every project and workplace.
At RESPEC, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s who we are. With more than 700 employeeowners working across 2,000 active projects, fostering a safe environment depends on each of us taking accountability and caring for one another’s well-being. Injuries affect our people, their families, and our business, which is why every decision, job site, and project begins with one question: Is it safe for our team? By identifying, understanding, and mitigating risks, and through our PACT values—Passion, Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork—we ensure our employees stay safe, enabling RESPEC to succeed and advance our commitment to sustainability.
passion for Safety and Sustainability
We care deeply about the work we do and the people who do it. Passion means going beyond the minimum—finding better ways to keep our employees safe and reduce our environmental footprint. From adopting smarter safety technologies to improving processes that protect both people and the planet, passion drives us forward.
accountability in Every Action
Safety isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility we own every day. We hold ourselves accountable for meeting and exceeding regulatory standards. More importantly, we hold ourselves accountable to each other. That means speaking up, stopping work when something doesn’t feel right, and committing to zero harm.
looking ahead
As
we keep climbing toward Vision 2030 and beyond, our goal is simple: keep our people safe while building a stronger, more sustainable future.
Guided by PACT, we’ll continue to improve, innovate, and lead with safety at the heart of everything we do.
caring for People and the Planet
Caring starts with our employees. We want every person to go home safe and healthy— every single day. That same care extends to the communities and environments where we work. By preventing incidents and reducing risk, we protect lives and minimize our impact on the world around us.
teamwork That Drives Results
Safety is a team effort. From field crews to leadership, and in partnership with clients and industry peers, we work together to share best practices and build a culture where safety and sustainability go hand in hand. When we collaborate, we achieve more—and we keep each other safe.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
RESPEC’s DEI Committee fosters a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our goal is to help RESPEC thrive as a connected North American team that reflects our communities, develops every employee, and excels through the power of diverse perspectives.
The DEI Committee provides guidance, establishes initiatives, and identifies resources to create and maintain policies that integrate this commitment to RESPEC’s ongoing business goals.
strategic pillars
workforce
Attract: Develop a hiring plan for identifying, attracting, and hiring the best talent from a variety of experiences and backgrounds.
Develop: Ensure all employees are evaluated fairly and given equal opportunities for professional development and promotion.
Cultivate: Support employee growth through educational and engagement opportunities that highlight a range of diverse perspectives.
information
Assess: Collect comprehensive data to evaluate RESPEC’s development toward our DEI goals.
Inform: Communicate RESPEC’s development toward our DEI goals to various entities.
Community
Engage: Identify opportunities to support the local communities where RESPEC works.
our goal is To enrich the lives of all employees and our communities by fostering and building a diverse workplace where every person feels seen, heard, and valued— because when everyone thrives, RESPEC thrives.
pact ambassadors
The mission of our PACT Ambassadors isn’t just a corporate goal; it’s our heartfelt dedication to crafting an environment that propels us toward Vision 2030 and beyond.
Grounded in Passion, Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork, we champion a culture where every individual is valued, inspired, and empowered to thrive. Through our collective efforts, alongside dedicated subcommittees, we’re on a personal mission to make a profound and lasting difference in our employee experience.
Together, we create an inclusive, supportive atmosphere where every team member can bring their authentic selves and contribute their absolute best to our shared success.
recognition
The Recognition subcommittee implements programs that consistently applaud and reward RESPEC employee-owners for their contributions and achievements.
office culture champions
Every RESPEC office location has an Office Culture Champion (OCC) to define and support our growth based on our core values: PACT.
OCCs work with the PACT Corporate Events subcommittee to lead local office and community events, collaborate on companywide activities, and share local traditions and happenings with the entire company.
welcome wagon Communications corporate events stem outreach
The Welcome Wagon subcommittee plays a vital role in new hire experience by creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for newcomers.
The Communications subcommittee collaborates with all PACT Ambassadors subcommittees to ensure thorough companywide correspondence while prioritizing company values.
The Corporate Events subcommittee is tasked with organizing corporatesponsored events aimed at delivering meaningful experiences for employees across all geographies.
The STEM Outreach subcommittee collaborates closely with the RESPEC Foundation to engage and develop the next generation of STEM professionals.
RESPEC
a difference through the empowerMENT of respec community professionals
RESPEC FOUNDATION
The RESPEC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established with the mission of using charitable contributions, employee volunteers, and innovative partnerships to create a sustainable impact in the communities we live in and serve.
The Foundation is led by a Board of Advisors (BOA) comprising employee-owners and external community activists. The BOA provides oversight and guidance to all of the Foundation’s activities. The positive impact we make through our annual giving programs ranges from local charities to global organizations. Everyone at RESPEC is provided with an opportunity to give back through these activities:
Spirit Week Day of Caring: All RESPEC offices across North America coordinate activities such as food donations, blood drives, and trash cleanup in public areas.
Local Charitable Giving: Each RESPEC office has an annual budget for charitable donations to their local communities and organizations especially focusing on STEM, food banks/clothing backpack drives, and environmental programs.
Paid Volunteering: Every employee receives 8 hours annually to support philanthropic, charitable, and educational initiatives.
STEM: RESPEC is establishing endowed scholarships to fund students pursuing an education in STEM. We have an endowed scholarship with South Dakota Mines and are working with the University of Alaska to establish an endowed scholarship by 2027. In 2024, RESPEC created a scholarship for students pursuing careers in STEM fields. Each year five students are awarded $3,000 scholarships to help them accomplish their education goals. So far, ten students have received the RESPEC STEM scholarship, with one student becoming a full-time employee.
$30K+ awarded in RESPEC STEM scholarships in 2025
$5k donated to Girls Who Code to encourage STEM careers 60k meals provided to families across the United States and Canada
$1M+ charitable contributions since 2017
people and culture
RESPEC cultivates a life-long learning environment for professional growth and development. We are invested in developing every employee.
Developing a strong workforce
Offering ongoing leadership development opportunities across the organization.
2 commit to personal and professional development through training and mentoring
3 invest in employeeowner leadership opportunities for future success attract, acquire, and retain the best talent 1
Delivering a 10-month immersive, experiential leadership development program for selected leaders to build confidence, competence, and community.
Operating a successful annual 12-week summer internship program for college students to build a future workforce pipeline. pathways for development
Training more than 100 leaders and 200 employees on the initial development planning process to support future career growth. tuition reimbursement
Providing tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing advanced degrees, skills, and professional training.
Company presentations Hosting monthly presentations to advance the knowledge of RESPEC’s technical capabilities and encourage teamwork across geographies.
90% of employees think their manager cares about them as a person.
88% of employees agree that the people they work with treat each other with respect.
$50k paid out by RESPEC for tuition reimbursement in 2025.
responsible, sustainable leadership
independent, objective governance
For more than 2 decades, RESPEC’s Board of Directors (BOD) has been guided by a majority of external, independent members. The external Directors are recruited from the industry to provide valuable, strategic insight and objective accountability.
Our BOD approach aligns with our goal of representing the best interests of all employee-owners and building a sustainable company. The Board Committees to the right are key to governance, providing additional oversight in critical areas of importance.
STANDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMITTEES
Governed by external Directors only.
Led by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. AUDIT
Finance
executive COMPENSATION
NOMINATIONS & GOVERNANCE
Governed by external Directors only.
Governed by external and internal Directors with additional members from management and the ESOP Committee.
Nine-member, nonmanagement, employee-led committee.
Six-member, management and employee committee with input from from RESPEC’s 401(k) financial advisor (Edward Jones) and 401(k) administrator (Principal). Diversity,
Eight-member, management and employee committee.
Employee-led committee, including an external Director.
financial & valuation integrity
Aligned with our commitment to governance independence, RESPEC annually engages an independent audit company, directed by the BOD Audit Committee, to audit the financial statements following generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
The completed audited financial statements are relied upon to derive RESPEC’s annual ESOP valuation opinion.
Since 2018, RESPEC’s BOD has engaged a third-party, independent, selfdirected Trustee to oversee the ESOP assets on behalf of the employeeowners. The ESOP Trustee is responsible for hiring the valuation consultant, reviewing all working papers and financial models, and determining the annual opinion of value for the employee ownership held in the RESPEC ESOP Trust.
risk management
RESPEC maintains a comprehensive risk-management practice to ensure the health and well-being of the company and our employee-owners. Directed by the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Director of Risk Management with support from outside counsel, RESPEC provides daily resources to manage all risk areas. Specific areas of continual focus include the following:
employee reporting whistleblower
RESPEC provides anonymous employee reporting via a third-party provider, “Report It.”
Employees can access the reporting information through the Employee Portal. The reporting tool allows employees to confidentially share information regarding working conditions, fraud, ethical issues, and professional conduct without fear of retaliation. All issues reported are taken seriously and addressed to the appropriate conclusion.
corporate IT security
As part of our yearly strategic initiatives, RESPEC evaluates, invests, and executes on improving our cybersecurity practices. Our attention to cybersecurity objectives is rooted in ensuring our organization’s resilience and viability, but equally important, to ensure confidence and protection of the data and work entrusted to us by our clients.
RESPEC follows industry best practices in implementing cybersecurity measures and continually monitors for active threats while educating staff regularly to consider all areas of potential risk. We acknowledge and accept that the world we work and live in requires cybersecurity to be a consideration in all of our work.
Devoting 20 cents of every dollar spent on corporate IT (nonlabor) expenses on cybersecurity demonstrates our commitment to reducing risk to the ecosystem of RESPEC’s partnerships, our employee-owners, clients, and trusted industry relationships.
During the last 12 months, 95% of all employee-owners and professional associates completed annual cybersecurity training and participated in four quarterly phishing tests.
RESPEC is specifically focused on the NIST 800-171 framework because this is the basis of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 and the forthcoming Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements.
Through continual diligence, we review, monitor, and improve cybersecurity activities and measures monthly to ensure resiliency through people, processes, and technology.