Vantage LED Pays It Forward by Going ESOP

ONTARIO, CA--(Marketwired - May 02, 2016) -  "We Got Your Back" is an intimate statement that has been a mantra for Vantage LED since its inception in 2003. The entire team behind Vantage LED knew by putting their people and partners first, everything else would fall into place. After returning from the 2016 ISA Expo in Orlando, Florida, Founder and CEO, Chris Ma, announced to his entire team that he has "got their back" by officially converting Vantage LED to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Chris Ma stated, "The Company is nothing without its people. As such, it's time to take care of the people who make Vantage LED so extraordinary."

Chris Ma stated with passion, "That's what you have been working for, you deserve it. Without your blood, sweat, and tears, and sacrifices, we wouldn't be here today. And it's because of people like you who work hard without asking for anything in return, that we're able to do this. It's a team effort, and as such, the team is going to be sharing in this success. I want to make sure that everyone is taken care of financially, physically, and emotionally, because we're part of a bigger picture here, and I'm going to show you that with this first step."

Although Chris Ma is only 37 years of age, he understands that everyone is working for the American Dream. In one fell swoop, he announced to the entire team that the dream is a reality. Everyone at the company from the receptionist to the cleaning crew is part of the ESOP, because everyone matters and plays a vital role in making Vantage LED great. Vantage LED started in 2003 in a 2,920 sq. ft. building with 4 people. In 2013, Vantage LED introduced an industry first cloud-based software solution that has integrated Amber Alerts through FEMA. In 2014, Vantage LED installed 5 large screens for the World Cup FIFA in Brazil. Now, it owns and operates out of a 150,000 sq. ft. facility in Ontario, California.

The Vantage LED ESOP will be implemented in phases. By year end 2016, the entire team will own 5% of Vantage LED. By year end 2017, the entire team will own 30% of the company. Within 5 years, 100% of the company will be employee own. And the best part, the employees are part of the ESOP without having to contribute a single penny. All they have to contribute is what they have doing all this time: their passion, their energy, and their commitment to excellence.

During the announcement, Chris Ma stated that Ivan Perez, Director of Resource and Development, Josie Salitrero, National Sales Manager, Jon Park, Production Manager, and Steven Lopes, Software Engineer, would all be receiving a brand new car for their years of dedication and contributions. They join the ranks of the Yuusuke Arimura, George Suzuki, Ricky Chai, and Kyle Carnes, who were all given brand new cars in the previous years.

"How about that," Chris said as everyone clapped and cheered. They were proud of what they had accomplished and truly grateful for this blessing. Chris then announced new inductees to his Vantage Core team, Max Perez, Rosa Lopez, Krystal Becerra, Edwin Rodriguez, and Brittney Hanslik, because they all share one common trait, always going above and beyond the call of duty. The first project for this Vantage Core team is to implement an onsite Day Care Center for Vantage employees. Chris stated, "I'm naming the day care, Petroff's Day Care." Chris got the idea from a new found friend he met in Orlando, FL, that inspired him to make a difference for families.

Chris continued, "That's what this company is all about. From top, down, left, and right, we have to get each other's back, and when the time is right, you know for a fact that I got your back because I know you got my back."

Chris only asked that his team pays it forward. Yuusuke Arimura, Chief Operations Officer, stated, "If this is Chris's first step, I can't wait to see what he plans for the next step."

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