The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has assumed ownership of The Newtron Group, the foundation announced Thursday, completing a long-planned transition designed by founder Newton B. Thomas to preserve the company’s culture and expand its philanthropic impact.
The Baton Rouge-based electrical construction firm, founded more than 50 years ago, generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue and operates nationally. The deal establishes a structure that aligns business performance with charitable giving and long-term stewardship.
Thomas, an LSU Hall of Famer, died in July at 81.
Ownership will be held through the Newton B. Thomas Support Foundation, a supporting organization within BRAF. The model allows the company to remain independently operated while being governed under a tax-exempt structure that emphasizes accountability, continuity and community impact.
“This is an unprecedented approach for a business owner in Baton Rouge,” said John Schempf, president and CEO of The Newtron Group, in a prepared statement. “Newton never viewed this as giving away his company. He viewed it as preserving it. This partnership protects Newton’s core values and ensures that the way we treat our employees, customers and partners remains central to who we are.”
BRAF President and CEO Chris Meyer says the transition reflects a broader shift among business owners seeking to embed their values into enduring institutions.
Under the partnership, The Newtron Group will continue to operate as an independent company with its leadership team, employees, and operational model intact. In addition to financial performance, governance will emphasize accountability to the company’s stated core values, ensuring long-term alignment with Thomas’s original vision.
The collaboration also ensures the continuation of The Newtron Group’s long-standing charitable giving, enabling support for nonprofit organizations in the communities where the company operates across the country.
Additional details about the partnership and its long-term impact will be shared in the coming months.
