-Leading facility solutions firm begins new chapter of shared ownership to further drive performance, stability, and client value-
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Metro Services Group, a leading provider of janitorial, engineering, and environmental services across California and the Pacific Northwest, announced today that a long-term transition to employee ownership was initiated on August 1st through the implementation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). An ESOP is a qualified retirement plan that allows eligible employees to gain an ownership stake in the company over time, based on tenure, role, and other factors.
Under this new structure, ownership of the company will be transferred over time to eligible management-level employees through the ESOP. This allows qualified team members to earn shares and participate in Metro’s future growth, based on tenure, compensation, and role. The move also reflects founder and CEO Michael Oddo’s commitment to preserving Metro’s independence while rewarding the employees who’ve helped build its success.
“This is a renewed commitment to our people and our future,” said Oddo who founded Metro Services Group three decades ago and built it into one of the industry’s independent leaders in cleaning and maintaining commercial real estate spaces. “It’s about recognizing the team that built this company and ensuring they have a real stake in its continued success. I plan to remain fully engaged as CEO, and I couldn’t be more excited about the strength and stability this brings to our clients and team alike.”
The ESOP ensures that Metro remains privately held, locally led, and guided by its core values. The company’s leadership and operations will remain unchanged, and the ownership transition will take place gradually over the next five years.
“The ESOP means that the team responsible for managing operations and ensuring our clients’ spaces are maintained to the highest standard aren’t just overseeing the work—they’re owners,” said Derek Schulze, President of Metro Services Group. “Our management team brings a deeper sense of pride, purpose, and accountability because they have real ownership in the company. This transition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Metro—one that strengthens our leadership, deepens our commitment to excellence, and ultimately enhances the service we deliver to our clients.”
What this means for clients:
- Stronger engagement: Participating employees have a stake in client success—driving greater accountability and service excellence.
- Long-term stability: Metro remains focused on sustainable growth—not short-term profits simply to satisfy outside buyers.
- Seamless continuity: Leadership, pricing, and service levels remain consistent across all regions and sectors.
Metro’s transition to increased employee ownership builds on a long-standing culture of internal growth and opportunity. Many of its current executives began their careers in janitorial or engineering roles and rose through the ranks. This next chapter reaffirms the company’s belief in investing in people, creating career pathways, and building lasting value for participating employees and clients alike.
Jacqueline Korajkic, Chief Financial Officer of Metro Services Group, added, “With the launch of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), many of our team members now have a chance to become part-owners of the company they help shape every day. This move reflects something we’ve always believed—that the people behind the work deserve a stake in its success.”
The first phase of the ESOP became effective last week. Eligible employees will begin to accrue ownership shares based on their tenure and role. Over time, the ESOP will become a meaningful vehicle for building wealth, deepening engagement, and reinforcing a culture of shared investment and accountability.
Metro joins a respected group of employee-owned companies, following best practices modeled by organizations like Recology, Skyline Construction, and WinCo Foods. The transition is guided by experienced ESOP advisors and overseen by an independent trustee to ensure fairness and transparency throughout the process.
“This is fundamentally about building something lasting—for our clients, for each other, and for the communities we serve,” Oddo added. “When employees think and act like owners, everyone wins.”
About Metro Services Group
Metro Services Group is an award-winning provider of janitorial, engineering, and sustainability for commercial properties and public agencies across California and the Pacific Northwest. Rooted in operational excellence, equity, and long-term partnership, Metro delivers sustainable solutions that elevate both spaces and people. We are now proudly transitioning to employee ownership.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Parke Chapman
[email protected]
914-268-8258
