The Kleingers Group, one of the Midwest’s leading civil engineering, land surveying, and landscape architecture firms, has announced its transition to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), effective September 1, 2025.

This move ensures the firm’s long-term independence and rewards the employees who have helped build its success. Through the ESOP, all shares of the company are now held in trust for the benefit of employees, offering them a valuable, long-term retirement benefit at no cost.

Kleingers’ leadership team remains the same and continues to run daily operations with added accountability to the new employee-owners, reinforcing the firm’s collaborative culture and client-first values.

“We’re in a strong position to transition to an ESOP now, and it’s a forward-looking move that safeguards future leadership transitions and creates lasting wealth for our employees,” said Tim Casto, CEO and President of The Kleingers Group. “As we move from second-generation ownership to the next, this sets the stage for a sustainable, employee-driven future. It secures our future, while staying true to who we are as a local, independent company.”

Founded in 1993, The Kleingers Group has grown to more than 170 employees across six offices in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida, and adding a seventh office this month. The firm was ranked the fifth largest engineering company in the Cincinnati region in 2025, and is known for notable projects including TQL Stadium, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Critical Care Tower Expansion, the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, Union Terminal Plaza Restoration, and the University of Cincinnati Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Athletics Performance Center. Recognized as a Top Workplace in Cincinnati for three consecutive years and a Best Place to Work in Louisville, Kleingers has laid a strong foundation for this natural transition to employee ownership.

“As a 100% employee-owned company, Kleingers is here to stay,” added Casto, “We continue to be rooted in our communities, committed to serving clients, invested in the places where we live and work, and are building a lasting legacy that honors our people-first culture for sustained success. Together We Build. Together We Benefit.”

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