Our Company, Our Culture: A Look Inside Burton's Seasonal Company Meeting
Few things have played a bigger role in Burton’s trajectory over the past 40+ years than Jake Burton’s decision to keep the company in the family.
That is to say: Burton is a privately-owned company. This means we don’t have to answer to shareholders or shady investors, and our leadership can be as forthcoming as they want about the direction of the business and the brand. Fortunately for everyone at Burton, they want us to know it all. We assemble every employee from around the globe each season for a company meeting to talk business, and of course, to have little fun.
We like to play as hard as we work, so when summer rolls around, company meeting starts with a hike. We assemble bright and early at Stowe, our home mountain, right in Jake’s back yard. He leads the charge, giving a little good morning pep talk before we hit the trail. People from all different parts of the office hike alongside one another, and as the trail gets steeper, the barriers start to come down. Looking at the big picture, the scene unfolds a lot like the average day in the office. Whether you’re upper management or a new hire, we’re all climbing towards a common goal, and doing it together. Squad goals aside, it’s just a great time to come together and get after it.
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All together, now.
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A great crew gathered for this drizzly morning mission.
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Jake's favorite way to celebrate a summit: bitters for everyone.
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The trick is to hold it at a 45 degree angle, and wait until the bottle's fully emptied.
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Everyone enjoys a little misty morning wakeup, especially the dogs!
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Hydration is crucial. Carry in, carry out, and don't forget to recycle. Rethink water is good for that!
After we get the blood pumping, it’s time to get down to business. Donna Carpenter, our CEO, kicks off the discussion, and introduces the rest of the leadership team. Each takes a turn at the mic giving us the low-down on the latest company news, and a status report on our global initiatives.
Once the meeting’s adjourned, Jake and Donna invite the entire company to their home for a full-on barbecue. The senior team flips the burgers and serves the entire company with a smile. Even our president, John Lacy, got his hands dirty behind the grill. Meanwhile, kegs are tapped, and the band begins to play.
A quick glance around the party confirms that we have a pretty fantastic thing going, here. Everyone’s plugged in, and engaged – each with an understanding of their role in the whole deal. When it comes time to pack up and head home, we leave with a clear vision, and a deeper appreciation for our people and our purpose.
