Our Company

ESCO was founded by Wayne Engle, a visionary entrepreneur with an unshakable belief in hard work, craftsmanship, and community. What began as E&S Electric, a small electrical contracting firm, quickly became known for its integrity and innovation.

Wayne and his partner, Larry Swan, completed their first commercial project—the Post Office in Hiawatha, Iowa, which still stands today. Soon after, Wayne bought out his partner, setting the foundation for a company that would grow through curiosity, grit, and an entrepreneurial spirit that remains at the heart of ESCO.

From 1964 to 1985, E&S Electric expanded into five states with multiple branch offices. The company specialized in wiring streetlights, commercial projects, light industrial work, and residential homes for Skogman Construction—proving that Wayne’s forward-thinking mindset and commitment to quality could scale far beyond his hometown roots.

Wayne’s entrepreneurial drive led him to diversify beyond traditional contracting. He took a lead role in developing the Cedar Rapids Ground Transportation Center, later named the Engle Center. As the first building to face north in downtown Cedar Rapids, the project symbolized Wayne’s innovative thinking—challenging convention and literally changing the landscape of the city.

In 1986, ESCO entered its second generation of leadership. Wayne’s sons, Dave and Dan Engle, officially joined as business partners, with Dave taking on the role of CEO and Dan overseeing operations alongside their father.

The business reorganized into two divisions: ESCO Electric Service, Inc., focused on residential work, and ESCO Electric Company, focused on commercial and industrial projects. This evolution reflected Wayne’s belief in adaptability and continuous improvement—a hallmark of his entrepreneurial mindset.

With industrial automation on the rise, Wayne and Dave recognized the need for specialized expertise in electrical design and programming. After winning a project with General Mills to install an automated conveyor and packaging system, Automation Systems and Control was born—today known as ESCO Automation.

This strategic move once again reflected Wayne’s innovative spirit: anticipating change, investing in new capabilities, and pushing boundaries to serve clients better.

Guided by Wayne’s entrepreneurial curiosity, ESCO launched ESCO Energy Services to support municipalities navigating potential deregulation in the utilities industry. The business evolved into a highly recognized NETA-certified organization, strengthening ESCO’s reputation as a trusted leader in energy services and electrical reliability.

With growing demand and an expanding range of expertise, ESCO Group was introduced to unify the company’s diverse capabilities under one brand. The goal: to offer clients a one-stop portfolio of services that created sustainable value through collaboration across its business units.

That same year, ESCO expanded to Des Moines, Iowa, broadening its geographic reach and strengthening its regional impact.

Dave became the sole shareholder while Wayne remained deeply involved as a business advisor and mentor. ESCO continued to grow and refine its focus, developing the systems, talent, and leadership structure that would later support its transformation into an employee-owned company.

Discussions about employee ownership began in 2006. The leadership team explored ways to preserve ESCO’s culture, ensure long-term sustainability, and reward the people who made its success possible.

That same year, Wayne retired from day-to-day operations but remained a guiding force within the company. His entrepreneurial spirit continued to shape the organization, inspiring innovation and collaboration across every business unit.

When the devastating Cedar Rapids flood struck in 2008, ESCO rose to the occasion—demonstrating the heart and grit that define our culture.

ESCO was proud to power through and assist those in need. Many of our employees volunteered to fill sandbags and help small businesses protect their stores and homes, while our electricians worked non-stop to get our local plants back up and running. Many of our engineers worked night and day to get the city’s municipals back on track.

The effort showcased ESCO’s unwavering commitment to community, resilience, and people-first values. Even in crisis, our team came together to rebuild, restore, and power forward—proving that ESCO is at its strongest when serving others.

After working alongside Shermco Industries during flood recovery efforts, Shermco approached ESCO about acquiring its Energy Services business unit. The sale paved the way for Shermco to become one of the largest NETA testing companies in the world—a proud legacy of ESCO’s entrepreneurial foundation.

That same year, ESCO opened a new headquarters in Marion, Iowa, reinforcing its commitment to reinvest in growth—a philosophy that continues today through Scintilla EG Holdings.

In January, Ray Brown became CEO of ESCO Group, continuing the company’s growth and innovation. Later that year, Dave Engle passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, vision, and deep care for the ESCO family.

In November, ESCO expanded west with a new office in Louisville, Colorado.

ESCO launched ESCO Power, a new business unit integrating electrical engineering, field studies, arc flash analysis, and safety consulting. This strategic move streamlined services and positioned ESCO as a leader in power systems safety and reliability.

Starting in 2011, ESCO’s leadership and ownership teams worked toward a sustainable succession plan rooted in entrepreneurial employee ownership.

In 2018, 40% of ESCO Group’s shares were sold to employees, formalizing the company’s commitment to shared ownership and setting a goal of reaching 100% employee ownership within 3–5 years.

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, ESCO made a defining choice: no layoffs. The leadership team rallied together, proving that employee ownership is strongest in times of challenge. Business units continued to serve clients, innovate, and grow—emerging more unified and resilient than ever.

Despite one of the greatest global challenges of our lifetime, ESCO’s leadership delivered on the promise made in 2018—completing the second-stage transaction to become 100% employee-owned as of December 31, 2021.

This milestone also marked the birth of Scintilla EG Holdings, an employee-owned investment company designed to sustain entrepreneurial ownership, strengthen existing brands, and cultivate long-term growth across the ESCO enterprise.

In 2024, Wayne Engle passed away, leaving behind an enduring legacy of entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, and innovation. His vision for empowering people to think, build, and lead continues to guide ESCO and Scintilla today.

In 2025, Scintilla EG Holdings was publicly launched, reaffirming our commitment to entrepreneurial ownership and sustainable growth.

Under Scintilla’s leadership, ESCO Electric, ESCO Automation, and ESCO Power & Safety operate with greater independence while continuing to deliver the one-stop capabilities of the ESCO Group brand.

Scintilla’s mission: to grow our core capabilities, foster new ventures, and ensure that every employee-owner can take part in shaping the company’s next chapter—a future built on innovation, integrity, and opportunity.