LeFiell Manufacturing employee recognized for plant-floor solutions

Butch Munson of LeFiell Manufacturing Company located in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., has been named the 2010 Employee Owner of the Year by The ESOP Association. The award was presented at the association's 33rd annual conference in Washington, D.C. The ESOP Association is the national trade association for companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and the leading voice in America for employee ownership.

Munson is known at LeFiell for his ability to think outside the box. He develops and trains new employees into motivated and productive employee owners, encouraging each and every person to think radically. Following his own rules, he has saved the company thousands of dollars by streamlining several manufacturing processes. For 34 years, Munson has been known as the LeFiell ESOP champion because of his enthusiasm and knowledge of the ESOP. He proudly displays his participant statement at the company's annual ESOP meeting, explains how he obtained his shares, the value, and how the shares are a direct reflection of the day-to-day contributions everyone at the company makes. He is a key member of the ESOP committee and is actively involved in ESOP events during the year and throughout Employee Ownership Month in October. He actively shares his knowledge and has been known to say, "You have to think like an owner and be an owner. The more money you make the for company, the more money you get in your ESOP."

"Butch is an outstanding ESOP advocate, not only for his own company but for all ESOP companies. I am honored to present him with this award," said J. Michael Keeling, president of The ESOP Association. "He is a true leader, a supporter, and a dedicated employee owner of the company. He has helped significantly in creating the culture at LeFiell that recognizes the employees and each individual's potential."

The core cause of The ESOP Association is the belief that employee ownership will improve American competitiveness, increase productivity through greater employee participation, and strengthen our free enterprise economy.