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Our people are the core of a company culture grounded in integrity and honesty. Our firm’s “flat” organizational structure is made possible by curious, collaborative technical experts. 

Encouraging our employees to pursue their professional interests yields projects whose quality and creativity reflect that license to explore and learn. Barr values an enterprising spirit and the critical thinking needed to achieve practical solutions to complex challenges.

Building community and independence

Our firm features a unique balance of teamwork and independence. There is a strong sense of community across the company, but employee-owners prize the freedom they have to pursue passions and set their own career development goals.

Rather than having a typical top-down hierarchy, Barr is built around project teams that change from one project to the next. This produces what we call a “free market” system, which allows employees to pursue their individual interests while still contributing to the firm’s close-knit community. While business support roles, such as those in finance, human resources, and marketing, are more traditionally structured, those groups also encourage an enterprising attitude, giving employees opportunities to work on meaningful projects that match their particular interests.

Founder Doug Barr on the origins of Barr’s company philosophy (1954-1985)

“We conscientiously tried to avoid making rules or decisions which would force people into a preconceived standard mold as opposed to letting them be themselves … The loose organization also makes it easier for an individual to be in charge of their own destiny and their own career because there is some choice … to select the types of work which are the most satisfying."

Fostering inclusiveness and ownership

As an employee-owned firm, we strive to promote inclusiveness and ownership. Our people are our most important asset—and having a diverse, inclusive workplace is critical to our success. We work hard to give everyone the tools they need to thrive and find their voice within the organization. 

Employee ownership is offered to staff shortly after they join the company, along with education and resources to help them understand Barr’s strategy, performance, and how to contribute to our success. We also involve our employee shareholders in long-term planning and seek their input on major decisions that affect the firm and its employees.