BOWA Transitions to Employee Ownership, Formalizing Commitment to Clients and Community

Virginia's Premier Luxury Design-Build Firm Adopts Benefit Corporation Status Alongside Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:54pm

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BOWA Design Build, a leading luxury residential remodeling firm in Northern Virginia, has transitioned to an employee-owned company through the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and the adoption of Benefit Corporation status. This historic move aligns the company's structure with its longstanding commitment to clients, employees, and the community.

Why it matters

BOWA's transition to employee ownership and Benefit Corporation status is a significant milestone for the company and the broader remodeling industry. By formalizing its responsibility to stakeholders beyond just financial performance, BOWA is setting a new standard for how mission-driven businesses can thrive while prioritizing people, purpose, and the planet alongside profits.

The details

Co-founders Larry Weinberg and Josh Baker launched BOWA in 1988 with a $10,000 investment, and over the past 37 years have built it into one of the most decorated remodeling firms in the country. The decision to transition BOWA to an employee-owned Benefit Corporation was made to "protect the company's independence and reinforce its responsibility to clients, partners, and the community." BOWA's team of nearly 100 employees includes design professionals, green building experts, and long-tenured project managers who are now direct owners of the business.

  • BOWA was founded in 1988 by Larry Weinberg and Josh Baker.
  • BOWA recently transitioned to an employee-owned Benefit Corporation in 2026.

The players

Larry Weinberg

Co-Founder and CEO of BOWA Design Build.

Josh Baker

Co-Founder of BOWA Design Build.

David Brandt

President of BOWA Design Build, has been with the company since 1989 and an owner since 2001.

Jim Thomas

Chief Knowledge Officer at BOWA Design Build, joined the company in 1988 and oversees HR, IT, and employee training and development.

Lauren Magee

Vice President of Architecture and Design at BOWA, leading the firm's architectural vision.

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What they’re saying

“From the beginning, BOWA was built by people who think and act like owners. Establishing employee ownership simply aligns the structure of the company with the way we already operate.”

— Larry Weinberg, Co-Founder and CEO

“We believe business can be both profitable and principled. Few firms in the remodeling industry — or any industry — can say the same and mean it as completely.”

— Larry Weinberg, Co-Founder and CEO

What’s next

BOWA plans to continue expanding its employee-owned, Benefit Corporation model, focusing on delivering exceptional service and craftsmanship to clients while upholding its commitment to its employees, partners, and the local community.

The takeaway

BOWA's transition to an employee-owned Benefit Corporation demonstrates that a mission-driven, values-based approach can thrive in the highly competitive remodeling industry. By aligning its corporate structure with its longstanding principles, BOWA is setting a new standard for how businesses can balance profitability with social and environmental responsibility.