Rochester, New York – September 5, 2025 – As the demand for electricity increases at unprecedented rates—as well as the frequency of storms and other challenges to the grid—Lewis Services has continuously distinguished itself as a leader in the utility vegetation management sector. For nearly nine decades, Lewis has earned industry-wide respect for its exceptional reliability, advancements in technology and security, high safety standards, and relentless commitment to its customers.
Earlier this year, Lewis Services received prominent recognition for a different achievement: national certification as a Minority-Owned company.
At the National Center for Employee Ownership’s annual conference, NCEO Executive Director Loren Rodgers announced the historic creation of three new purchasing preference certifications and identified Lewis Services as the first 100% Employee-Owned company to earn national certification as a Majority Minority Employee-Owned Business.
Pursuing this accreditation was a top priority among Lewis Services’ leadership. “Achieving national certification as a Minority Owned business was important for Lewis on many levels,” Lewis CEO Leslie Kass explains. “More than 61% of our employee-owners proudly identify as Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, and/or People of Color—so minority certification is an authentic reflection of who we are as a company and community partner.”
Kass continues, “This certification is also something that our utility partners have been strongly asking for because it helps to fulfill their community impact goals as well. Utility companies are increasingly committed to creating positive impact at the local level and often seek out diverse suppliers like Lewis to ensure they are building a resilient supply chain that strengthens the communities where they operate. It’s really a win-win for everyone—our employee-owners, our partners, and the communities that we collectively serve.”
Founded in Rochester, New York in 1938, Lewis Services has been helping to keep the power on across the United States for nearly 90 years. During that time, the company has grown to 4000+ employees and expanded its suite of vegetation management services to include distribution and transmission line clearance, storm and emergency response, substation and solar farm maintenance, and a portfolio of specialized services to support electric cooperatives, utilities, municipalities, and contractors.
In 2000, Lewis Services transitioned from privately-owned to 100% Employee-Owned and currently serves as one of the largest 100% employee-owned companies in the country. With a majority-minority workforce across 28 states, Lewis is proud of the localized impact that employee-ownership has generated in the communities where its teams work and live. And Lewis’ customers agree.
NCEO’s Rodgers also agrees: “Employee ownership measurably improves the lives of working people, and this program seeks to extend its benefits to millions of people who are typically less likely to have the opportunity to own shares. We’re proud to recognize Lewis Services and are excited to get these certifications in front of as many employee-owned businesses as possible.”
About Lewis Services
Founded in 1938, Lewis Services is 100% employee-owned and has grown to become one of the largest providers of utility vegetation management services in the United States. Committed to creating impact in the communities in which we work and live, we are proud to be certified as a Minority-Owned Diverse Supplier by the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and registered with Supplier.io. Our customers rely on us to provide agile, cost-effective vegetation management and emergency response storm restoration services without compromising safety and quality – in fulfillment of our Customer Promise to get the Job Done Right®. With over 4,000 team members spanning a customer base that serves more than half the U.S. population, we have a vested interest in the success of our customers and employees to help provide critical power and communications services to families and businesses while creating safety for everyone.
To learn more, please visit www.lewisservices.com and follow us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook.