“Achieve fulfillment” is a part of Brewer Science’s mission statement, but what does it mean, and how does it impact our company culture?
When employees are encouraged to support their communities through volunteering, giving, or outreach, this mindset motivates higher regard for the impact they have not just on their own lives but the lives of others. Our customers and industry partners bring us intriguing challenges to solve, and with our employees’ minds fine-tuned to create the greatest positive impact, Brewer Science delivers innovative materials and solutions that not only solve our customers’ challenges but provide advancements within the industry.
In 2020, Brewer Science became Certified Employee-Owned, and this sense of ownership increased two-fold when employees suddenly became employee-owners, understanding the direct positive impact they were having in the industry and their communities.
In 2021, Brewer Science was recognized as the first company in the semiconductor industry to become a Certified B Corporation, attesting to the company’s high regard for corporate, social, and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Throughout its history, Brewer Science has received numerous cultural awards, such as National Top Workplace in Manufacturing – all of which employees accredited through anonymous surveys.
How are Brewer Science employee-owners achieving fulfillment?
We’ve asked Brewer Science employees to share their perspectives in three areas: volunteering, giving, and outreach. Their unique stories continue to shape our culture and lead to fulfillment.
Volunteering
Brewer Science’s company policy encourages employees to be active in their communities, awarding full-time employees 40 hours a year of paid time off to contribute to causes they care about. Brewer Science employee-owners contributed 72% more time to community volunteerism in 2024 than in 2022!
Jeremy Light, Director of Chemical Manufacturing and Lean Operations at Brewer Science, volunteers approximately 20 – 30 hours a month with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department (COPS) program to help others in need.
Jeremy shares, “People can help those in need, even when someone is hurting or in trouble. You never know what someone is dealing with in their personal life. Sometimes, seemingly small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day.” Jeremy describes a time he helped three young ladies stranded on I-44 with a flat tire. He changed the tire and got them back on the road, traveling safely to their destination.
Monica Benthal, Executive Administrator at Brewer Science, enjoys volunteering at local school districts. “My grandsons motivate me to volunteer. They always ask when I am coming to volunteer in their class and their classmates when I see them outside of the school. They are a joy to be around and give the best hugs,” shares Monica Benthal.
Photo Credit: Bob Phelam, Phelps County Focus
Kevin Edwards, Senior Project Manager at Brewer Science, volunteers for the Ozark Actor Theatre. The Phelps County Focus shared his story, illustrating the parallels between creativity on stage and innovation in the lab.
Carissa Jones, Senior Scientist at Brewer Science, volunteers at the Springfield, MO Discovery Center during the Lab Coats and Tiaras event. Carissa worked at the “frozen bubbles” station. “I like helping at events that enable young minds to learn more about science! It’s a passion I can easily share with anyone and makes a big difference in our communities.”
Charlie Dowell, Applications Supervisor at Brewer Science, volunteers with the Vichy Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to putting out fires, he also helps fundraisers by cooking on the grill or helping in the kitchen. “It gives you a sense of pride, feeling that you might be making a difference in someone’s life. It is an awesome feeling to help someone in their time of need,” shares Charlie.
Daniel Gaynor, Engineering Technician at Brewer Science, volunteers for the National Park Service deer monitoring program out of his enjoyment of nature and desire to contribute in any way he can. When asked how he feels when volunteering, he jokingly states, ”Cold!” since most of his work happens in January and February later at night. Jokes aside, he shares, “It’s a fun way to go out and enjoy nature and contribute to a cause that I care about.”
Brian Davis, Process Engineer at Brewer Science, saw a few pieces of trash floating in the pond at the Brewer Science facility. Using a grabber and bag, he took the initiative to free the pond of debris, proving that you don’t even need an organization or cause – a true sense of fulfillment is doing what you know is right.
Elliot Fitch, Lab Technician at Brewer Science, volunteers with Encounter Ministry, specifically at the Littles, Kids, and Youth camps. These camps provide a chance to show young people that there is a God who loves them. Many of these kids and young adults come from difficult backgrounds, where all they know is hate, fear, and worry. The camps create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where they can be vulnerable and open. “I’ve seen countless kids and teens have their lives transformed and give their lives to the Lord through this camp experience,” shares Elliot.
Giving
Brewer Science celebrates employees’ long-term service and achievement at the company by supporting their passions. Donating money to the charity of the employee’s choice creates a more direct connection of fulfillment for the work at Brewer Science and the causes they are passionate about. In 2024, thirty-one employee-owners celebrated milestone anniversaries, donating $43,645 to their selected causes including animal shelters, children’s groups, churches, and community partnerships. This impact not only creates a positive effect on the organizations receiving the donations but also on the employee-owners in honor of which the donations were made.
Click on each employee to learn who they chose to donate their service award to and how it made an impact.
Melinda, Julie, Alexis, Daniel, and Clarissa are just some of the many employee-owners who celebrated their milestone work anniversary with a charitable donation to an organization. Brewer Science employee-owners take pride in knowing their longevity at the company brings tangible benefits to themselves, customers, industry partners, and community causes they care about.
Learn more about Brewer Science’s commitment to the community.
Outreach
Brewer Science proudly supported 45 organizations in 2024 through donation drives and fundraising. The organizations were selected based on alignment with our company values and mission, including STEM education, arts, and sustainability. Our employee-owners participate in the selection process, nominating causes they are most passionate about. We make a global impact with ten international offices while strengthening the communities we serve.
Beth Boehm, Human Resources Specialist at Brewer Science, puts donations in bags for the Hope Alliance Friday backpack program.
Brewer Science employee-owners collected toys for Russell House. The admin group takes the items to take to the women at Russell House so they can create Easter baskets for their children, who may also be housed there
Cathi Barth, Corporate Relations Representative at Brewer Science, stands next to the food donation items collected by Brewer Science employee-owners, that were donated to Rolla Friday Backpack Program /Hope Alliance. The program supplements students who come from food Insecure homes each Friday, in order for them to have meals they can make for themselves over the weekend.
Brewer Science employee-owners packed shoeboxes with small gifts for “Operation Christmas Child.”
Lori Strothmann organizes an annual donation drive for the Phelps County Animal Shelter. Brewer Science corporate leadership encourages employees to reach a donation goal by supplementing employee donations with an additional corporate donation when the goal is met.
As a company, Brewer Science recognizes that achieving fulfillment is much more than words in a mission statement. It’s a sense of being. It’s the thread that has woven our company mission through the quilt of industry innovations, community impacts, and the future of possibility that is yet to come. Brewer Science employees are achieving fulfillment, and everyone, whether community organizations, customers, or industry partners, will continue to see us achieve fulfillment in our actions.
Are you seeking a career where you can achieve fulfillment? Explore career opportunities at Brewer Science.