RESPEC Sustainability Report 2026

2026 sustainability Report COMMITMENT TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Sustainability report overview

commitment to a sustainable future

2025 Statement

company overview

who we are

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

For RESPEC, being

100% employee-owned means

every team member has a personal

stake in shaping solutions that inspire sustainable growth and opportunity.

JASON T. LOVE

Chief Executive Officer/President

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Sustainability report overview

commitment to a sustainable future

2026 Statement

company overview

who we are

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

BUILD THE BRAND, LIVE THE PACT » Breathe culture into everything we do » Actively engage and immerse ourselves in our communities and industries

» Leverage across teams to be an integrated solutions partner

» Increase RESPEC’s market presence through visibility and engagement

» Empower the next generation of employee-owners to develop client relationships.

» 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

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Sustainability report overview

commitment to a sustainable future

2026 Statement

Employee Engagement

company overview

who we are

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

employee engagement survey Question

My immediate manager cares about me as a person.

RESPEC results

90%

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,

I feel accepted by my immediate coworkers.

89%

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

The people i work with treat each other with respect.

88%

RESPEC in Comparison to industry 500–900 Employee Companies

Professional, Scientific & Technical Service Companies

Consulting Companies

+5.8% higher

+5.7% higher

+5.2% higher

than average

than average

than average

+2.2% higher

+1.5% higher

+0.6% higher

than average

than average

than average

+4.8% higher

+3.3% higher

+0.5% higher

than average

than average

than average

+6.3% higher

+2.8% higher

+8.0% higher

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!

our employee engagement survey results showed that we exceed industry in the following areas:

I believe this organization will be successful in the future.

86%

The senior leaders of RESPEC demonstrate integrity.

84%

than average

than average

than average

+8.3% higher

+2.5% higher

+5.2% higher

than average

than average

than average

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Sustainability report overview

commitment to a sustainable future

2026 Statement

Employee Engagement

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.

company overview

who we are

55+

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:

YEARS— FOUNDED IN 1969

100%

employee owned

700+

professionals

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

$155M+

in gross revenues

40+

offices across north america

and rethink what’s possible.

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Sustainability report overview

commitment to a sustainable future

2026 Statement

Employee Engagement

company overview

who we are

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.

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PHOTO | YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING

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.

8

renewable energy development

9

cultural resources

From our inception, we have prioritized environmental protection.

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Resilient Design

way to address nuclear-waste disposal. Today, we are industry

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restoring & sustaining

energy transition and storage, abandoned mine land reclamation, and

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strategic partners

14

operations & administration

Our team was critical in identifying a safe, environmentally protective leaders in advancing resiliency, integrated water management,

decarbonization. We continue making tangible impacts to improve natural and built environments for our private and public clients.

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projects

renewable energy development

Cultural resources

resilient design

RESTORING & SUSTAINING

strategic partners

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT Storing Summer Heat for Arctic Winters Military bases in extreme climates

Turning Waste into Watts

face a costly paradox: generating

Methane flared into the atmosphere

seasonally. Fort Wainwright burns

a missed opportunity to power operations,

heat year-round while needing it

coal daily to maintain steam systems, wasting summer energy that would

represents more than wasted energy. It’s

reduce costs, and shrink environmental impact.

otherwise be needed in winter.

At the Keystone Potato Products (KPP) facility

RESPEC partnered with the U.S.

this challenge into a competitive advantage.

Army Corps of Engineers Cold

Regions Research and Engineering

Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable

Energy Laboratory to capture this

in Hegins, Pennsylvania, RESPEC transformed Our team evaluated digester gas technologies through a sustainability lens, balancing

engineering performance, economic viability, and environmental benefit.

surplus. Our design redirects excess

The solution: three C65 Capstone Green

800 feet deep, turning soil into

methane into distributed power. The result

steam to bore fields 300 to

seasonal thermal batteries.

This pilot assesses the potential

Energy microturbines converting waste

improves digester efficiency, reduces water

consumption, and lowers facility energy costs.

for stored summer heat to offset

This $1.9 million decarbonization project

cold-region expertise ensures

helps KPP take a major step toward cleaner,

winter coal consumption. RESPEC’s insulated piping withstands extreme temperatures and deep frost,

secured 50 percent RISE PA funding, which more efficient operations.

potentially lowering fuel demand

across remote military installations.

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projects

renewable energy development

Cultural resources

resilient design

RESTORING & SUSTAINING

strategic partners

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

protecting cultural resources Empowering First Nations Through Digital Innovation

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.

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projects

renewable energy development

Cultural resources

resilient design

RESTORING & SUSTAINING

strategic partners

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

Resilient design

safeguarding alaska’s lifeline airports

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.

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projects

renewable energy development

Cultural resources

resilient design

RESTORING & SUSTAINING

strategic partners

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

RESTORING & SUSTAINING OUR ENVIRONMENT Bridging Science and Action Across Minnesota

Harnessing Microbes to Heal Contaminated Mines

Managing statewide water quality requires

Traditional mine remediation often demands

hydrologic models often remain inaccessible to

constant chemical inputs and maintenance.

connecting science to action. Complex

energy-intensive treatment plants that require

conservation professionals, creating a critical

These systems impose perpetual costs on

gap between data and implementation.

land managers.

RESPEC developed watershed models covering

RESPEC developed a semipassive

units for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Mine in Montana’s Beaverhead-Deerlodge

and water quality parameters to support

communities with organic carbon in saturated

statewide.

selenium into insoluble forms, protecting

We created the Scenario Application Manager to

trout reproduce.

75 percent of Minnesota’s 80 major hydrologic

bioremediation system for the Beal Mountain

Our work spans hydrology, sediment, nutrients,

National Forest. By stimulating native microbial

watershed restoration and protection strategies

mine backfill, the system converts soluble

bridge this gap, translating complex watershed

downstream fisheries in German Gulch, where

models into actionable tools for resource

Gravity moves water through the system,

helps Minnesota identify priority areas and best

powered additions of organic carbon maintain

quality benefits per dollar invested.

This transferable approach offers federal land

professionals. This decision-support system

eliminating the need for pumping energy. Solar-

management practices for maximizing water

microbial activity with minimal intervention. managers a cost-effective, self-regulating solution for legacy mine sites.

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projects

renewable energy development

Cultural resources

resilient design

RESTORING & SUSTAINING

strategic partners

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

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.

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projects

renewable energy development

Cultural resources

resilient design

RESTORING & SUSTAINING

strategic partners

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

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

our strategic partnership FOCUSES ON:

with technology, professional, and creative services, partnering with

Engaging Indigenous Peoples and their ways of knowing as projects unfold.

natural resources. RESPEC unites engineering and applied sciences

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.

Supporting responsible development of natural resources in North America.

Strengthening efforts that mitigate climate change and promote clean energy.

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projects

renewable energy development

Cultural resources

resilient design

RESTORING & SUSTAINING

strategic partners

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

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.

where we aim to improve GHG impact per employee by

vehicle fleet

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.

flexible workspace

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.

Business travel

energy conservation

10–20%

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.

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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.

PHOTO | SHOSHONE NATIONAL FOREST

FORGING A GREATER TOMORROW 16

ESOP

17

HEALTH AND SAFETY

18

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

19

PACT ambassadors

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RESPEC FOUNDATION

21

people and culture

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culture

esop

HEALTH AND SAFETY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

pact ambassadors

RESPEC FOUNDATION

people and culture

30+ YEARS OF VESTED EMPLOYEE INTEREST 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.

“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.

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.”

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culture

esop

HEALTH AND SAFETY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

pact ambassadors

RESPEC FOUNDATION

people and culture

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

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.

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 in Every Action

RESPEC to succeed and advance our commitment to sustainability.

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.

Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork—we ensure our employees stay safe, enabling

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.

caring for People and the Planet

Guided by PACT, we’ll continue

teamwork That Drives Results

to improve, innovate, and lead with safety at the heart of everything we do.

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.

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.

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culture

esop

HEALTH AND SAFETY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

PACT Ambassadors

RESPEC FOUNDATION

people and culture

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

our goal is To enrich the lives of all employees and our communities by

Attract: Develop a hiring plan for identifying, attracting, and hiring the best talent from a variety of

fostering and building a

Develop: Ensure all employees are evaluated fairly and given equal opportunities for professional

diverse workplace where

Cultivate: Support employee growth through educational and engagement opportunities that

every person feels seen,

experiences and backgrounds. development and promotion.

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.

heard, and valued— because when everyone thrives, RESPEC thrives.

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culture

esop

HEALTH AND SAFETY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

PACT Ambassadors

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.

RESPEC FOUNDATION

people and culture

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.

recognition

welcome wagon

Communications

corporate events

stem outreach

The Recognition subcommittee implements programs that consistently applaud and reward RESPEC employee-owners for their contributions and achievements.

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.

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culture

esop

HEALTH AND SAFETY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

pact ambassadors

RESPEC FOUNDATION

people and culture

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

RESPEC Foundation vision making a difference through the empowerMENT of respec community professionals

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

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culture

esop

HEALTH AND SAFETY

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

people and culture RESPEC cultivates a life-long learning environment for professional growth and development. We are invested in developing every employee.

HIRE

1 2

RETIRE

3

attract, acquire, and retain the best talent

commit to personal and professional development through training and mentoring

invest in employeeowner leadership opportunities for future success

pact ambassadors

RESPEC FOUNDATION

People and culture

Developing a strong workforce leadership development

LEADERSHIP academy

internship program

Offering ongoing leadership development opportunities across the organization.

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

tuition reimbursement

Company presentations

Training more than 100 leaders and 200 employees on the initial development planning process to support future career growth.

Providing tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing advanced degrees, skills, and professional training.

Hosting monthly presentations to advance the knowledge of RESPEC’s technical capabilities and encourage teamwork across geographies.

90%

88%

$50k

of employees think their manager cares about them as a person.

of employees agree that the people they work with treat each other with respect.

paid out by RESPEC for tuition reimbursement in 2025.

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We are at the forefront of best practices in governance, ethics, risk management, and accountability throughout our entire organization.

PHOTO | RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

responsible, sustainable leadership 23

INDEPENDENT, OBJECTIVE GOVERNANCE

24

FINANCIAL AND VALUATION integrity

24

RISK MANAGEMENT

committed to cultivating an environment where we do

25

EMPLOYEE REPORTING

our employees, communities, clients, and partners.

25

CORPORATE IT SECURITY

Our highly effective, engaged Board of Directors is

everything possible to provide responsible growth for

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governance

independent, objective governance

risk management

financial and valuation integrity

employee reporting

corporate it security

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.

STANDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMITTEES

The Board Committees to the right are key to governance, providing additional oversight in critical areas of importance.

AUDIT

Governed by external Directors only.

Finance

Led by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

executive COMPENSATION

Governed by external Directors only.

NOMINATIONS & GOVERNANCE

Governed by external and internal Directors with additional members from management and the ESOP Committee.

ESOP

Nine-member, nonmanagement, employee-led committee.

401(K)

Six-member, management and employee committee with input from from RESPEC’s 401(k) financial advisor (Edward Jones) and 401(k) administrator (Principal).

Sustainability

Eight-member, management and employee committee.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Employee-led committee, including an external Director.

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governance

independent, objective governance

financial and valuation integrity

risk management

employee reporting

corporate it security

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 employee-

owners. 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:

Business Continuity

professional liability

natural disasters

employee safety training & certifications

contract review

risk culture

health & safety

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governance

independent, objective governance

financial and valuation integrity

risk management

employee reporting

corporate it security

corporate IT security

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.

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.

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