Amherst Communications is proud to announce its transition to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This milestone reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to preserving the values on which it was built; integrity, service, and community.
Amherst Telephone Company, more recently known as Amherst Communications, has long been family-owned and deeply rooted in the communities it serves. Through decades of change, its founding principles have guided every generation of the Iverson, Bohman, and Danielson families. Recognizing the importance of preserving that legacy, the owners recently began developing a succession plan designed to support long-term stability and local stewardship. As they explored paths that would honor both the company’s heritage and its future, one option stood out.
After much consideration, an ESOP emerged as the ideal solution. It preserves everything that makes Amherst Communications what it has always been, gives the employees a meaningful stake in its success, and ensures that local homes and businesses throughout the region continue to receive the reliable, high-quality service that enables them to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
“We’ve all seen what happens when local companies get bought out. Decisions start coming from people who don’t live here, who don’t know the community, who don’t understand what matters to our customers,” said CEO, Ray Tetzloff. “Being 100 percent employee-owned means more than paperwork or stock. We take pride not just in doing our jobs, but in knowing we own the outcome.”
The transition to 100% employee ownership is currently pending Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. While the review timeline is not exact, the goal is to finalize the transaction by year-end. Tetzloff remains confident that there are no issues that would prevent FCC approval.
With this change, customers can expect the same friendly, reliable service they’ve come to know and trust from Amherst Communications. “We want everyone to know, this isn’t the end of Amherst Telephone Company’s story, it’s the start of an exciting next chapter,” said Tetzloff.
