After going to an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) this past August, ACI has announced our new Board of Directors, Laurie-Leigh White and Lee Dahmer. Two proven leaders whose insight and experience will help us stay focused on vision, people, and progress.

Laurie-Leigh White brings extensive expertise in business valuation, financial reporting, and strategic advisory across a wide range of industries. She serves as Partner and head of the Houston office at BVA Group, where she leads valuation and litigation engagements involving corporate transactions, complex securities, and employee stock ownership plans. Drawing on her experience working with over a thousand ESOP companies, Laurie-Leigh will help ACI grow with the advantages of employee ownership and apply best practices learned from successful organizations nationwide.

A nationally recognized valuation expert, Laurie-Leigh was named the 2022 Appraiser of the Year by the American Society of Appraisers and has been honored among Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business. She is a Certified Public Accountant, an Accredited Senior Appraiser, and holds designations in Business Valuation and Intangible Assets Appraisal, which will bring insight into valuation, governance and financial performance for ACI.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a master’s and bachelor’s degree in accounting and bachelor’s in political science, Laurie-Leigh brings exceptional financial insight, analytical skill, and leadership to ACI’s Board of Directors. We’re proud to welcome her as we continue building on ACI’s legacy and driving forward the company’s growth and innovation.

Lee brings over two decades of experience in business leadership and value growth for companies across the U.S. As a Professional EOS® Implementer (Entrepreneurial Operating System) with EOS Worldwide, he has helped leadership teams gain clarity around vision, data, process, issues and people, driving real traction and accountability throughout their organizations. Lee’s experience as a former CEO and his background in the HVAC industry, give him an approach to business from a wide-angle perspective, aligning strategy and execution to achieve growth.

As Founder and Principal of Business Owner Advocates, LLC (Value Growth Consulting Group), Lee has helped lower middle-market companies accelerate growth, improve operations, and increase value through strategic planning, M&A advisory, and restructuring. His blend of executive judgment, operational expertise, and industry experience makes him a strong addition to ACI’s Board of Directors.

Lee holds an MBA in Finance from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor’s in Management and Economics from Western Illinois University. We are proud to welcome Lee as we strengthen our vision, gain traction, and drive meaningful results across ACI.

ACI Mechanical & HVAC Sales Becomes 100% Employee-Owned Through ESOP Transition

Seattle, WA – [August 26, 2025] – ACI Mechanical & HVAC Sales (ACI), a trusted name in commercial HVAC across the Pacific Northwest, has transitioned to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This milestone comes as ACI celebrates 40 years in business, honoring the team behind its success and deepening its connection to the communities ACI serves.

Founded in 1985, ACI has spent four decades building trusted relationships by delivering reliable, energy-efficient HVAC solutions. By becoming employee-owned, ACI reinforces its values, maintains leadership and operations, and ensures continued stability for customers and vendors. The ESOP also strengthens the company’s foundation for long-term growth while deepening its ties to the communities it serves.

“Celebrating 40 years in business alongside our newly named employee-owners makes this milestone even more special,” said Keith Glasch, President of ACI Mechanical & HVAC Sales. “An ESOP is our way of showing the people who have helped build this company that they aren’t just part of ACI, they are ACI. We want to keep that spirit alive, honor the work that has brought us here, and build a future that stays true to who we are.”

Steve Deis, Managing Director at Lazear Capital Partners, who served as ACI’s financial advisor on the transaction, added: “ACI is built on people, expertise, and relationships, and that is exactly what makes it such a perfect fit for an ESOP. This strategy keeps the team at the heart of the business, protects the culture they have worked so hard to cultivate, and ensures continuity for customers and vendors across the Pacific Northwest.”

Through its new employee-owned structure, ACI is well-positioned for long-term growth and a future defined by its core value of Thriving Together.

About ACI Mechanical & HVAC Sales
Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, ACI Mechanical & HVAC Sales is the Pacific Northwest’s premier vendor for commercial HVAC applications. The company collaborates with consulting engineers, contractors, and their customers to deliver exceptional solutions for various sectors, including education, data centers, commercial office buildings, healthcare, and industrial facilities. With a team of fifty-five degreed sales engineers and project professionals working with over fifty equipment manufacturers, ACI is committed to helping buildings thrive. For more information, visit acimechsales.com.

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