Jonathan Orpin, Founder & CEO of New Energy Works & Pioneer Millworks Recognized by the Rochester Business Journal for the 2023 ICON Honors
Dec 5, 2023 (Rochester, NY) – Entrepreneur Jonathan Orpin was selected by the Rochester Business Journal as one of this year’s ICON honorees because of his 30+ year commitment to the triple bottom line philosophy, his extensive philanthropic efforts, environmental activism, and recent transition from founder/owner to CEO as both his industry-leading companies, New Energy Works & Pioneer Millworks, became 100% employee-owned as an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).
“I have based much of my life and career on the triple bottom line, the belief that people, planet, and profit work together to ensure a better future,” says Jonathan Orpin. “Most folks in business only look at their financial bottom line and that is important, no doubt, because without profit there is no business. But the financial bottom line is not the only important part of running a business, and it is certainly a very limited way to approach your life.”
The Rochester Business Journal’s yearly ICON Honors recognize Rochester business leaders over the age of 60 for their notable success and demonstration of strong leadership within and outside their fields. To be eligible for the ICON Honors, honorees must have a long-standing commitment to the Rochester business community and significant professional accomplishments through innovation and leadership.
Honorees must also be champions of their industries and demonstrate a sustained commitment to community service. They may be in the workforce or retired and must hold or have held senior management-level positions with significant authority in decision-making for their organizations.
“I am a lifelong entrepreneur, and founder of multiple businesses, all of which are still operating. I didn’t do any of it on my own. My career has taken me on an extraordinary journey and along the way has put many great and talented people into my life,” Orpin explained. “The people I have worked with have helped me build both New Energy Works and Pioneer Millworks into the bi-coastal industry leading companies that they are today, and my greatest professional accomplishment has to be passing along the ownership of these companies to the employees who made it possible through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Utilizing an ESOP as a means of succession planning ensures these companies will continue to lead the way in sustainable forward thinking business practices for decades in a democratized workplace.”
Honorees will be profiled in the Dec. 8 issue of the Rochester Business Journal and online at RBJ.net.
About the Rochester Business Journal:
The Rochester Business Journal has served as the leading source of business news and information in Rochester, N.Y., for 36 years. In addition to its website, RBJ.net, and weekly print publication, the Rochester Business Journal publishes more than 25 special products a year including Book of Lists, Explore Greater Rochester, RBJ 75 and Schools Report Card. The Rochester Business Journal also hosts 11 annual events to recognize excellence and provide leadership opportunities. Those events include Forty Under 40, Icon Honors, Women of Excellence and Reader Rankings.
About New Energy Works & Pioneer Millworks
From their design studios, production shops, and mills in New York & Oregon, New Energy Works designs, crafts, and builds sustainable timber frame custom homes, commercial buildings, and high-performance enclosures throughout North America.
Pioneer Millworks is a leading manufacturer of reclaimed & sustainable wood flooring, paneling, siding, and decking for the building industry.