Ramaker Celebrates Fifth Top Workplace Win and ESOP Company of the Year Award

For the fifth year in a row, Ramaker has been named a Top Workplace by the Wisconsin State Journal, an honor made even more meaningful because it’s based entirely on employee feedback. This year’s winners were announced on March 18^th, 2026.

This recognition isn’t about awards or rankings. It’s about the people who show up every day to support one another, serve clients with care, and do work they’re proud of. “Everyone is willing to step in and help where needed, and that collaboration really makes a difference,” says Ramaker’s Telecom Market Leader, James Kaiser. “The flexibility allows me to balance leadership, client relationships, and family life! It’s a big part of what makes Ramaker such a great place to work.”

At Ramaker, culture isn’t something written on a wall; it’s something built through trust, collaboration, and shared ownership.

Becky Wiegel, Human Resources Leader, and Jean Bergman, CFO, accepting the Top Workplaces award on behalf of Ramaker.

Built by Employees, for Employees

As a 100% employee‑owned firm, Ramaker operates with a simple but powerful mindset: when employees succeed, the company succeeds. Every team member has a stake in Ramaker’s future, which creates a culture of accountability, innovation, and mutual respect.

That sense of ownership shows up in big ways—problem‑solving across departments, long‑term thinking, and a genuine willingness to support one another through challenges and growth.

Carol Wilhelm, one of Ramaker’s Architectural Job Captains echoes this sentiment: “The thing I enjoy the most about Ramaker is working with the other employee-owners. Everyone seems to have a work ethic to get the job done and to try to do it right. It’s really refreshing to work for a company where all the employees want the company to succeed.”

A Culture That Supports the Whole Person

Ramaker’s Top Workplace recognition highlights an environment where people feel supported, heard, and genuinely valued. Employees consistently point to accessible, engaged leadership, flexible work arrangements that respect life outside the office, comprehensive benefits that support long‑term well‑being, and opportunities to grow professionally without sacrificing personal priorities. This balance allows people to do their best work while staying connected to what matters most.

That culture is especially meaningful to CIMS Customer Success Lead Laura Peterson, who values the close‑knit, people‑first environment Ramaker provides. “I appreciate working for a smaller company, where everyone is valued and supported beyond the work they contribute,” she says. “The option to work remotely, and our half-day Fridays, provide the flexibility to take care of personal matters without shame or stress. This promotes a culture of trust and ensures that we can show up as our best selves, for both our clients and our coworkers.”

Ramaker employees participated in a clean-up effort at Starkweather Creek on the east side of Madison, WI.

Ramaker employees are connected by the impact of the work itself. From community‑focused developments to complex engineering challenges, Ramaker’s teams collaborate across disciplines to create spaces and solutions that matter.

Whether designing recreational facilities, supporting municipal infrastructure, advancing cemetery technology, or partnering with hospitality brands, employees take pride in contributing to projects that serve communities across the country.

One of our Structural Designers appreciates the wide variety of projects we get to work on here at Ramaker. “What I enjoy the most about working at Ramaker is the opportunity to continuously learn and grow with each project. Many of the projects I’ve worked on involve existing schools or commercial buildings, where we need to find creative ways to make the new designs work with the existing conditions. Every project is different, bringing new challenges, which always makes my job interesting and rewarding,” she says.

Beyond the projects we deliver for clients, our employee‑owners take pride in giving back through ongoing corporate social responsibility efforts that support the communities where they live and work. Each year, Ramaker leads initiatives such as the annual 12 Days of Giving campaign, which directs donations to local organizations focused on food insecurity, education, public safety, health, and family support. In addition to charitable giving, employee‑owners regularly participate in food drives and community service projects, reinforcing Ramaker’s commitment to making a positive, lasting impact beyond the workplace.

Mike Pinske, President and CEO; Ryan Nelson, Telecom Structural Engineer; Carol Wilhelm, Architectural Job Captain; Jean Bergman, CFO; Becky Wiegel, Human Resources Leader; and Curtis Paul, Technology Leader, at the Wisconsin Chapter of the ESOP Association’s Spring Conference on March 3rd, 2026.

Ramaker Also Recognized as Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Company of the Year

In addition to being named a Top Workplace for the fifth year in a row, Ramaker was also honored as ESOP Company of the Year by the Wisconsin Chapter of The ESOP Association at the Spring Conference on March 4^th, 2026.

This award recognizes organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to employee ownership, not just in structure, but in practice. For Ramaker, that means open communication, meaningful employee participation, and a culture where every individual’s contribution is respected and valued.

Employee ownership at Ramaker goes beyond shares or titles. It’s about ensuring employees understand how the company operates, how decisions are made, and how their work directly contributes to long‑term success for the firm and for themselves. That shared sense of responsibility and dignity is at the heart of what it means to be an employee‑owned company.

“This award is especially meaningful because it reflects how deeply employee ownership is embedded in how we operate every day. At Ramaker, ownership is about open communication, understanding how decisions are made, and knowing that every individual’s work truly matters. When everyone understands how their contributions impact the bigger picture, it creates pride, accountability, and long-term success for both the company and our employee owners,” says Mike Pinske, Ramaker’s President and CEO.

Being recognized as ESOP Company of the Year reinforces what Ramaker employees experience every day: ownership matters here, and our people are empowered to help shape the future of the firm.

Thank You to the People Who Make Ramaker What It Is!

Together, Ramaker’s Top Workplace recognition and ESOP Company of the Year award reflect a culture rooted in trust, shared success, and respect for the individuals who make the work possible. Their dedication, curiosity, and commitment to one another continue to shape a workplace where employees feel empowered to do meaningful work together.

To every Ramaker employee-owner: thank you for building a culture worth celebrating!

Stay Connected with Ramaker

Ramaker is a nationally recognized, multi‑disciplinary architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with employees and projects spanning the United States. Our work supports a wide range of markets, including aquatics and recreation, cemeteries, commercial development, hospitality, telecommunications, and more.

Interested in joining a people‑first, employee‑owned firm?

Visit our website and follow Ramaker on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn more about careers, culture, and the work we’re proud to do.