With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 130 Percent, This Marks EPR’s Sixth Time on the List.
NEW YORK, August 12, 2025 Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced that EPR is No. 3109 on the annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list provides a data-driven snapshot of the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia.
“Celebrating our 13th year providing environmental services, it has taken a great deal of hard work and dedication from an incredible team to maintain this level of growth while cultivating a company culture centered on a shared passion for the environment. Over the years, we have diversified our services while staying true to the values that guide our work. EPR remains committed to delivering innovative, high-quality environmental services to our clients, while also building strong relationships, fostering new opportunities, and providing effective solutions to meet their needs. Not many companies make this list multiple times, and being recognized for a sixth time is a testament to the EPR team and family, whose continued passion for the environment is reflected in our diverse client base and extensive portfolio of projects. The story of EPR is still being written. While we’re proud of what we have accomplished, we are even more excited about the future and the opportunities ahead. We anticipate continued growth, greater diversification of our environmental services, and geographic expansion. We also envision cleaner streams and rivers, restored forests and wetlands, and improved habitats for plants and animals. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients and to providing exceptional ecosystem planning and restoration services.”
Sonny Kaiser, Principal – Environmental Services.
This year’s Inc. 5000 honorees have demonstrated exceptional growth while navigating economic uncertainty, inflationary pressure, and a fluctuating labor market. Among the top 500 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate reached 1,552 percent, and those companies have collectively added more than 48,678 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years. For the full list, company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.
“Making the Inc. 5000 is always a remarkable achievement, but earning a spot this year speaks volumes about a company’s tenacity and clarity of vision,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “These businesses have thrived amid rising costs, shifting global dynamics, and constant change. They didn’t just weather the storm—they grew through it, and their stories are a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial spirit is the engine of the U.S. economy.” Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2025 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 22–24 in Phoenix, and the top 500 will be listed in the Fall issue of Inc. magazine.
Since 2012, EPR has been an innovative team driving sustainable progress in dynamic environments, completing hundreds of stream, wetland, and terrestrial restoration projects, advancing restoration science, and strengthening community resilience. Our work restores ecosystems, protects biodiversity, and fosters healthier waterways, impacting both the environment and the communities we serve.
We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. From expanding our nature-based solutions to introducing specialized services like bat habitat assessments, EPR continues to deliver results that matter.
Methodology
Companies on the 2025 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2024. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2024 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
EPR is thrilled to announce Jake Byers, P.E., as our newest Principal. Jake’s dedication to ecosystem restoration and conservation, coupled with his innovative approach to sustainable practices, marks a significant addition to our leadership team.
“I am excited to move into the role of Principal for Ecosystem Planning and Restoration. Our team consists of exceptionally talented and dedicated individuals who inspire me daily. Joining the leadership team is a profound honor and an opportunity to restore ecosystems, enhance agricultural practices, and support biodiversity. Our work is more crucial than ever. I believe in the transformative power of sustainable practices and the positive impact we can make on our natural resources for generations to come.”
Jake Byers is a familiar face at EPR, where he has consistently demonstrated his expertise and passion for environmental stewardship. Since joining the company, Jake has led numerous transformative projects in stream restoration and regenerative agriculture. His work focuses on developing science-based designs and strategies that not only restore degraded landscapes but also promote biodiversity, sequester carbon, and enhance ecosystem services.
– Sonny Kaiser, founding owner and CEO.“Jake embodies the core values of EPR—dedication, expertise, and a passion for environmental stewardship. His leadership is a demonstration of the, “Get It Done” drive that EPR provides, and always at the highest quality we can perform,”
Born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Jake graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Outside of his professional endeavors, Jake enjoys raising beef cattle, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and playing sports with his children. He resides in Weaverville, NC, with his wife and two children.
As EPR’s newest Principal, Jake will continue to provide leadership and vision to our team, ensuring we deliver the highest quality service to our clients. We look forward to the bright future ahead with Jake’s contributions and the continued growth of our leadership team.
EPR is delighted to announce Emmett Perdue, P.E. as our newest Principal and Chief Operating Officer. Emmett’s journey to this role is founded on his dedication to the team and the positive impact he has made on our organization.
“I would like to thank Kevin, Sonny, and Will for honoring and respecting my contributions to EPR through this opportunity. It means quite a bit to me that they recognize my efforts and trust me to help lead the company.”
Emmett Perdue is no stranger to EPR. Since 2014, he has been an integral part of our continued growth and has led multiple complex and rewarding projects. As EPR’s newest Principal, Emmett will continue to provide leadership and vision to staff, and ensure the highest quality service to our clients.
“Emmett not only represents the core values of EPR, but demonstrates the passion for what we do through his leadership and the work that he does. We’re excited for this opportunity at EPR as Emmett moves into his role as Principal and COO. This is an exciting new chapter as we continue to write the story of EPR.” – Sonny Kaiser, founding owner and CEO.
As COO, Emmett will manage the core operations of the firm, working closely with department leads and supervisors to ensure EPR continues to provide the highest level of service in the industry.
“I will continue to do the things I have always done because it’s what I love to do. But more importantly, because of the people I get to do them with. It’s the reason I accepted the offer to personally invest in EPR, to rise into the leadership of the company, and to challenge myself to help make EPR even better.”
Emmett is the first Principal added to EPR’s leadership team since the company’s founding in 2012. We look forward to a bright future with Emmett’s contributions and continued growth of our leadership team.
EPR believes we all have a responsibility to provide a healthy environment for our neighbors and future generations. Periodically, we will spotlight our staff coming together to Give Back to the communities and ecosystems where we live and work. Follow our collective efforts at www.eprusa.net to learn more about how we support healthy and sustainable communities.
Giving Back to Bolivar BeachEPR staff have a special connection to Bolivar Beach, located in Port Bolivar, Texas and a short ferry ride from Galveston. Over the past several years, we’ve worked tirelessly to assist in an ongoing project to restore 125 acres of coastal habitat to this community. The project upcycles material dredged from the nearby ferry landing to replenish eroded areas of Bolivar Beach, and to restore recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and water quality to the community.
Environmental stewardship, one of EPR’s main values, serves as a constant inspiration to our team who truly cares about the environment. As stewards of the land, we feel a deep responsibility to future generations, which is why EPR partnered up with the Texas General Land Office’s Adopt-A-Beach program to help keep Bolivar Beach safe and clean. EPR staff, working in conjunction with Keep Bolivar Beautiful, have committed to collecting and responsibly disposing of litter throughout the year.
With new recreational opportunities also come new challenges, but EPR strongly believes that positive change happens one step at a time. We are proud to say that our first two cleanup events were a great success! As the beach continues to grow, so will our special connection to this community and the coastal environment. If you’re in the area, see the progress on Bolivar Beach and meet the people of the historic Port Bolivar community!
Through the Texas GLO Program, 552,788 Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have cleaned 11,057 miles and picked up 9,732 tons of trash. Consider becoming a Beach Adopter and join thousands of other stewards of the land working towards a better future!