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As we head into the new year, Lerch Bates is celebrating the amazing memories our employee-owners created in 2025. From job sites to tradeshows, lunch & learns to time spent together outside the office, this year has been filled with teamwork, growth, and community, and we are incredibly grateful for the amazing members of Team LB who make it all possible.
This spirit of collaboration and achievement has fueled remarkable milestones across our organization. Here are just a few of the highlights that made 2025 such a memorable year:
This year, we proudly honored our 2025 Forum Award Recipients, shining a spotlight on individuals who exemplify leadership, innovation, and commitment to our core values. Their contributions inspire us all to aim higher and continue building a culture of excellence.
John Arther Receives the V. Quentin Bates Award
The V. Quentin Bates Award, named after the visionary co-founder who established Lerch Bates as a 100% employee-owned company, is the highest individual honor bestowed at the Forum. This year, it was awarded to John Arther, Chief Financial Officer, in recognition of his decades-long commitment to sustainable growth, operational excellence and fostering a culture of ownership. John’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding Lerch Bates through strategic expansions and financial transformations while his stewardship of the ESOP and dedication to empowering employee-owners exemplifies the values that Quentin Bates championed.
Ryan Baker Named ESOP Contributor of the Year
Ryan Baker, Area Managing Director for South Texas, was honored as the 2025 ESOP Contributor of the Year. Known for his dynamic leadership and client-first mindset, Ryan has consistently gone above and beyond to embody the ownership culture that defines Lerch Bates. Ryan’s collaborative approach drives a sense of shared responsibility rooted in LB’s ownership mindset. His advocacy for mentorship, process improvement and team development has made a lasting impact on both his region and the broader ESOP with increased dividends, enhanced client satisfaction and much more.
Ellen Kauffman Wins the Charles Lerch Innovation Award
The Charles Lerch Innovation Award, named after the LB’s founder and pioneer in vertical transportation consulting, celebrates bold thinking and transformative ideas. This year’s recipient, Ellen Kauffman, Senior Business Manager for Technology & Innovation, has led initiatives that reimagine how Lerch Bates delivers technical consulting in a digital-first world. Ellen’s work spans process automation, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. Her ability to bridge engineering expertise with strategic innovation has positioned Lerch Bates at the forefront of technical consultancy.
To close out an incredible year, we announced the acquisition of StudioNYL, a move that enhances our design capabilities and positions us for even greater success in 2026. This strategic growth reflects our commitment to innovation and delivering unmatched, multidisciplinary expertise to our clients.
2025 was a year of milestones, achievements, and unforgettable moments. As we step into 2026, we remain focused on empowering our employee-owners, strengthening our communities, and continuing to grow together.
Here’s to another year of success, collaboration, and Total Building Performance™. Thank you to every member of Team LB for making Lerch Bates the extraordinary company it is today.
