COLUMBUS — Baard Energy CEO John Baardson gave sworn testimony on April 29 which made it clear that his company does not meet the criteria which would allow it to be officially classified as “woman-owned.”
Ohio Citizen Action had recently examined the claim that, “. . . Baard Energy is a woman owned business enterprise (WBE),” made by a Columbiana County Port Authority official.
Ohio Citizen Action obtained Baardson’s deposition from a review of public records at the Environmental Review Appeals Commission. He was questioned by Shannon Fisk, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Q: Are you the owner of the company?
A: She’s [Kathie Baardson] 51 percent owner, and I’m 49 percent owner.
Ownership of 51% or more of the company by a woman is necessary but not sufficient to be called “woman-owned.” The woman must also “actually control the day-to-day operations of the business” (State of Washington), or “have control over the day-to-day operations of the business” (State of Ohio). The State of Delaware says the firm must be “controlled and actively managed” by the woman. John Baardson’s testimony shows that he controls the company and Kathie Baardson reports to him.
Q: You are with Baard Energy; is that correct?
A: Baard Energy.
Q: Okay. And what is your position there?
A. I’m the president and CEO. . .
Q: And how many employees does Baard have?
A: We have six.
Q: And who are those employees?
A: It’s myself and my wife, her name is Kathie.
Q: Okay.
A: And Steve Dopuch.
Q: Okay.
A: Craig Conner.
Q: Okay.
A: Elizabeth Turbyfill and Ben Norwood.
Q: And do all those employees report to you?
A: They all do.
— Paul Ryder, Organizing Director, Ohio Citizen Action
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