As seen in Arkansas Money & Politics
Jan. 23, 2026
Little Rock’s Lexicon Inc. announced Friday that it has become an employee-owned company through the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
CEO Patrick Schueck led the move as a natural extension of the company’s family-focused culture, he said.
“No one knows and understands this company better than the people who work here every day,” Schueck said. “When I thought about the future of the business my parents built from nothing — and that I’ve been privileged to help grow — it became clear that the only way to protect our legacy was to place it in the hands of those who built it with us. Our employees have always been family, and making them owners is an honor and a joy.”
Lexicon’s ESOP structure ensures the current leadership team remains in place and that day-to-day operations continue uninterrupted.
“The leadership team Lexicon has today will continue as-is,” Schueck said. “My family has always insisted that Lexicon’s people come first. The ESOP is an excellent way for longtime employees to have an ownership stake in the company, and for employees to build equity and wealth over the long term. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
An ESOP is a long-term employee benefit plan that gives eligible employees ownership in the company through stock shares — at no cost to them. Structured as a trust, it also functions as a retirement plan, similar to a 401(k), with shares held on behalf of employee-owners until they retire or leave the company. For Lexicon employees, the shift to an ESOP changes only who owns the company; their roles, leaders, day-to-day work, customer relationships, regular compensation, benefits and 401(k) will remain exactly the same.
The ESOP transition occurred in late 2025.
