SEL Executive Vice President Elected Chair of National Employee-Ownership Group

Joey Nestegard will lead the Employee-Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA) for the next two years.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Joey Nestegard, executive vice president of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), has been elected chair of the Board of Directors for the Employee‑Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA). Nestegard, who has served as an ESCA board member since 2022 and completed two years as chair-elect, will serve as chair from January 2026 through December 2027.

Why it matters

ESCA is the Washington, D.C., voice for employee-owned S corporations, representing more than 230 companies and over 300,000 employee owners across the U.S. As chair, Nestegard will lead the strategic, financial and policy‑related initiatives of ESCA while advancing its mission to strengthen and expand employee ownership.

The details

SEL transitioned to employee‑owned in 1994 and became 100 percent employee‑owned in 2009. The company now has 7,500+ employees worldwide and is the 13th‑largest majority employee‑owned company in the United States. As chair, Nestegard will focus on connecting employee‑owned companies with policymakers, generating bipartisan support for S‑ESOPs, and expanding the footprint of employee ownership to benefit more companies and workers across the country.

  • Nestegard has served as an ESCA board member since 2022.
  • Nestegard completed two years as chair-elect before being elected chair.
  • Nestegard will serve as ESCA chair from January 2026 through December 2027.

The players

Joey Nestegard

Executive vice president of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and the newly elected chair of the Board of Directors for the Employee‑Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA).

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)

A company that transitioned to being 100 percent employee-owned in 2009 and is now the 13th-largest majority employee-owned company in the United States.

Employee-Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA)

The Washington, D.C., voice for employee-owned S corporations, representing more than 230 companies and over 300,000 employee owners across the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“ESCA has played an important role in connecting employee‑owned companies with policymakers and generating strong bipartisan support for S‑ESOPs at a time when consensus is difficult to achieve. I look forward to continuing that work and expanding our footprint so more companies and workers across the country can benefit from the economic stability and retirement savings opportunities that employee ownership provides.”

— Joey Nestegard, Executive Vice President, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

Nestegard will begin his two-year term as ESCA chair in January 2026.

The takeaway

This leadership transition at ESCA underscores the growing importance of employee ownership as a model that provides economic stability and retirement savings opportunities for workers across the United States. Nestegard's experience and commitment to expanding the reach of employee-owned companies will be crucial in the years ahead.