Top Top 20 businesses in businesses in the the Cedar Valley Advanced Systems Allen Health System Bergan Paulsen CBE Group Cedar Falls Utilities Cedar Valley Community Support Services Cedar Valley Hospice DISTek Integration Inc. Exceptional Persons Inc. Hellman Livingston Aviation ME&V Mike Fereday Heating & Air Conditioning Next Generation Wireless Phantom EFX T8 Webware The VGM Group United Equipment Accessories Inc. Waverly Health Center Western Home Communities
Transcript
TopTop 20 businesses in businesses in thethe Cedar ValleyAdvanced SystemsAllen Health SystemBergan PaulsenCBE GroupCedar Falls UtilitiesCedar Valley Community Support ServicesCedar Valley HospiceDISTek Integration Inc.Exceptional Persons Inc.HellmanLivingston AviationME&VMike Fereday Heating & Air ConditioningNext Generation WirelessPhantom EFX
T8 WebwareThe VGM Group
United Equipment Accessories Inc.Waverly Health Center
Western Home Communities
THE COURIERPAGE 2 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.com
They’re ranked 1 through 20, but in the opinion of workers who submitted hundreds of nominations for The Cou-rier’s annual Employers of Choice hon-ors, rankings don’t appear to matter.
This is the third year The Courier has employed a format that actively engages the work force. Their nominations gave plenty of accolades to their employers.
A panel of representatives from a cross-section of the Cedar Valley business community — Kim Burger, with the Cedar Falls Tourism & Visi-tors Bureau; Chris Harshbarger, with Think ’n’ Think Inc.; Lori McConville,
with Barmuda Cos.; and Linda Laylin, with the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance — generously donated their time to sift through and thoroughly discuss hun-dreds of nominations in a process that determined the region’s top 20 places to work.
As is rapidly becoming tradition, the winners did not fi t any particular cat-egory, size or business model. Whether they off ered products or services didn’t seem to matter to those who nominated the winners.
WATERLOO — Even during a transition in leadership, patient care, employee relations and community outreach continue to be part of a mosaic that creates a healthy institution, accord-ing to employees at Allen Health System, which once again was chosen for the No. 1 slot in The Courier’s annual Employers of Choice awards.
The leadership change occurred this year, as Sara Poling began serving as interim Allen’s CEO June 1. She will serve in this capacity during the search for a permanent replacement for Richard A. Seidler, president and CEO since 1998.
“We work hard at the manage-rial level to assure patient, asso-ciate and physician satisfaction,” Poling said. “We are working dil-igently at additional recognition, as well. We can’t say thank you often enough to those who seek the level of care we’re seeking to provide.”
Poling said Allen is diligent about monitoring the pulse of every aspect of its operations, including employee satisfaction.
“We do a lot of surveys,” she said. “We have a consistent set of questions, but we also use the comments that tell the real story
about what the concerns are and what we can do diff erently.”
Poling said the surveys some-times get response rates of 65 to 70 percent.
“Our intent is to identify prob-lems that need to be resolved.”
Staff at all levels are actively involved in the process, Poling said.
“Absolutely, they’d tell you they feel empowered and listened to and that they’re part of the solu-tion,” Poling said.
Changes in leadership don’t matter to the culture of caring in place at Allen, said Dianne Schultz, clinical services direc-tor, who has been with Allen for 28 years.
“I think that underlying culture has always stayed very strong,” Schultz said. “New employers come in and feel very embraced, like it’s their second family.”
Schultz pointed to Allen’s pro-gram that enables associates to donate accumulated paid time off to colleagues in need.
“You know how people value
their vacation time, but this is an absolute common interaction here, because everybody wants to take care of everybody else here.”
Schultz said Allen has pro-grams that enable its employees to advance.
“I feel like I’m individually cared about, just as we individu-ally care about the patients here,” Schultz said.
EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
EOC winners evidence of a vibrant workplace
DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer
Registered nurse Erika Leonard monitors the blood pressure of Mary Peters as she goes through a treadmill exercise during a rehabilitation session in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at Allen Hospital in Waterloo.
Support of patients, employees earns Allen top spot again1
Allen Health System
EMPLOYEES: 2,080.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Health care and health care educa-tion.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: Employees say Allen Hospital has an excellent work at-mosphere, demonstrates fl exibility and commitment to workers, as well as patients.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Junior Achievement, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, People’s Clinic and major sponsor for Kaleidoscope Series at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.
1825 Logan Ave.Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-3941www.allenhospital.org
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1. Allen Health System2. Waverly Health Center3. CBE Group4. The VGM Group5. Bergan Paulsen6. Cedar Valley Hospice7. T8 Webware8. Advanced Systems9. DISTek Integration Inc.10. Western Home Communities
11. Cedar Falls Utilities12. Mike Fereday Heating & Air Conditioning13. Hellman14. Exceptional Persons Inc.15. Next Generation Wireless16. CV Community Support Services17. ME&V18. Livingston Aviation19. Phantom EFX20. United Equipment Accessories Inc.
Jim Offneris the Courier
business editor. Contact him at jim.offner@
wcfcourier.com.
See WINNERS, page 18
0102 Employers of Choice
THE COURIER PAGE 3MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com
WAVERLY — “Waverly Health Center is a small hospital that thinks big,” wrote employee Cathy-Wilson Sands on her Employers of Choice nomination form.
She went on to say innovation is one of their organizational values, and the hospital has lived up to it in the many opportunities and the positive feedback provided to its employees.
“Employees are given oppor-tunities to participate in shared-decision making informally as well as formally. Professional development is encouraged and supported through programs for tuition assistance as well as sup-port for continuing education and membership in professional orga-nizations,” Saws said.
“Chief Executive Offi cer Mike Trachta came to Waverly Health
Center after 8 1/2 years of admin-istration at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Asked why he chose Waverly Health Cen-ter, he said, “Waverly had a great community atmosphere and wonderful resources. The hospi-tal and medical staff worked well together. It was exciting.”
He said the 420 employees at the health center have a high level of participation on councils and committees.
“These groups develop projects that aff ect the way we provide patient care, develop new services and ensure our quality of care is excellent,” employee Heidi Sol-heim said.
Waverly Health Center is an active member of the commu-nity, participating in a Volunteer Partners with Wartburg College in Waverly, supporting the Wom-en’s Shelter and interacting with the Waverly School System. The health center also has a Senior
Information Program.According to Trachta, the Cen-
ter has ranked high in patient sat-isfaction scores.
Employees have access to a Speaker Series and other educa-
tional opportunities. Linda Hansen attested to that.“Administration has gone to
great lengths and made it a pri-ority to provide special programs and education to the employees … and a warm, pleasing environ-ment to work in,” she said.
TIFFANY RUSHING / Courier Staff Photographer
Emergency room physician Dr. Todd Shover reviews a patient’s charts as x-rays are pulled up on computer screens at Waverly Health Center.
Waterloo | Grundy Center | IndependenceWaverly | Hospice Home
800.617.1972 | cvhospice.org
Our family of employees at
Cedar Valley Hospice
share compassion in caring
for you and your family.
We are proud to be your
community hospice and
Employer of Choice!
2Waverly Health
CenterEMPLOYEES: 420.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Health care.HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS
FIELD: Waverly Health Center en-courages professional development for all of its employees. Directors say the hospital ranks among Iowa’s top hospitals in patient satisfaction.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Waverly Health Center participates as volunteer partners with Wartburg College in Waverly, supports the Women’s Shelter and interacts with the Waverly School System. The health center also has a Senior Information Program.
312 9th St. SWWaverly, IA 50677(319) 352-4020
www.waverlyhealthcenter.org
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Interaction, innovation seen as keys at Waverly Health CenterEMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
THE COURIERPAGE 4 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Management at the CBE Group knows the repu-tation the collection industry has.
Tom Penaluna, CBE president and CEO, said it’s not enough to avoid employing unethical methods but said he wants to change how things are done in the industry.
“We act as people that are there to help,” he said.
Penaluna said CBE employees nominated the company as one of The Courier’s Employers of Choice partly because the com-pany avoids the “weaknesses of the industry.”
Employee training also keeps the job challenging and gives employees opportunities to move up.
Raymond Barbee started at CBE because of the pay but said he wasn’t really looking for a career.
More than 4 1/2 years later, he’s still there.
“As soon as you enter the environment, you can tell this is a place that really cares about people,” Barbee said.
“People come here looking for a job; they fi nd more than that,” said Brandon Medlin, a CBE supervisor.
“We invest a lot on more indi-vidual training.”
“There’s constantly teach-ing,” said Diana Crook, CBE employee.
“Things keep changing here for the better,” Brittany Buss said.
Major changes are just around the corner as the company gets ready to move to a new head-quarters building in Cedar Falls at 1309 Technology Parkway in the Cedar Falls Industrial Park.
The move, which will be com-plete sometime in October, will put company employees under one roof.
CBE staff now work in two buildings at the Tower Park complex in Waterloo. The new building will give employees
63,000 square feet of space and plenty of room for professional advancement.
“Our plan is to double in size in the next fi ve years,” Penaluna said.
“We’ll be able to provide some things we don’t have the space to do here.”
Along with the location, the company scouted opportuni-ties and amenities for employ-ees, including child care.
“In every direction we do in, we put employees fi rst,” Misty Erdahl said.
Company goals are shared with employees and input is appreciated, Medlin said.
“They want to hear everyone’s ideas and opinions,” she said.
Employees also give back to the community by holding jeans days to raise more than $100,000 for charity.
“Big employers have a respon-sibility to the community,” Penaluna said.
EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
Nate Jones conducts training of new employees at the CBE Group
offi ces on Tower Park Drive in Waterloo.
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
Collection agency CBE tries to redefi ne its industry3
CBE Group
EMPLOYEES: 500.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Specializes in third-party debt collections. Their clients include Student Loan Counseling Ser-vices.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: Avoids the weaknesses of the debt collection industry; em-ployees are there to help people settle debt.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: CBE participates in the United Way campaign every year; em-ployee jeans days have raised more than $100,000 for charity.
131 Tower Park Drive, Suite 100Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 234-6686www.cbegroup.com
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THE COURIER PAGE 5MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
WATERLOO — There’s been some growth going on with the Water-loo-based VGM Group.
And the company seems to want to share its success with its employees.
“Recently, Mr. Miller recog-nized the employees with the ultimate acknowledgment by making the company employee-owned, thus making us business owners with a fi nancial interest in the growth and performance of our company,” said Warren Freeman, an employee of the VGM Group.
The company was founded in 1986 by the present CEO Van G. Miller.
Originally, the business was a national buying group for inde-pendent home medical equip-ment. Member organizations independently own homes, and they also have access to their membership benefi ts, includ-ing online education for their employees.
“We try to leverage these rela-tionships to bring more ser-vices to members,” Chief Oper-ating Offi cer Jim Phillips said. VGM has about 85 members on the home health side. In addi-tion to health care, VGM has a side that operates in golf. VGM club members have 3,500 pri-vate clubs. A daily fee belongs to VGM Club with contracts for the clubhouse.
In fact, VGM has expanded to include many other endeav-ors, among them are Insurance, Financial Services, Technologies and Strategic Media.
“And we’re not done growing,” Phillips said.
As co-owners of the VGM Group, employers and employ-ees seem to have a mutual admi-ration society going. Employ-ees appreciate so many aspects of their company, they are too numerous to list.
However, the fl exible sched-ules, on-site education, cross-training in diff erent depart-ments and employee ownership
are popular.VGM supports the Northeast
Iowa Food Bank with food and cash donations; Van Miller orga-nizes and fi nances an annual golf tournament, with proceeds going to North Star. (Since 1997, VGM has raised more than $500,000 for North Star.
According to employer nomi-nator, Carolyn Cole, “Van also supports ASPIRE (a therapeutic horse riding program) along with his quiet support of other com-munity endeavors.”
The VGM Group website states that Miller received the equiva-lent of a life-time achievement award when he was recognized by “Home Care Magazine” as one of the “Top 10 Infl uential People in the Industry.” The company he founded in 1986 has mush-roomed into the largest group of its kind in home medical equip-ment history.
The VGM Group has 480 employees, including some 35 who are mostly sales represen-tatives in the fi eld. Ninety-fi ve percent work in the home offi ce.
Jennifer Schmidt, executive assistant, and Jim Phillips, CEO at
the VGM Group Inc.
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
Growth, sharing ongoing at VGM Group 4The VGM GroupEMPLOYEES: 480.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
The VGM Group is a national buy-ing group for home medical equip-ment. The group of sister com-panies also provides services in Insurance, golf, fi nancial services, technologies and strategic media.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: It is the largest group of its kind in home medical history.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The group supports the Northeast Iowa Food Bank with food and cash donations, has raised more than $500,000 for North Star and supports other community activi-ties and programs.
1111 W. San Marnan DriveWaterloo, IA 50701
(319) 236-6656www.vgm.com
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THE COURIERPAGE 6 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Giving back to the Cedar Valley just adds up.
For Bergan Paulsen, taking care of the community is more than just lip service. Most of the accounting fi rm’s 75 employees volunteer in some way in the metro area, whether it’s helping at a town celebration or pro-viding leadership for nonprofi t organizations.
Managing Partner Dave Hap-pel said community involve-ment is good business. Not only is Bergan Paulsen helping the region thrive, which is where most of its clients are located, but employees feel like they’re working for more than just a paycheck.
“The Cedar Valley is our home,” Happel said. “We think we need to be an important part
of it. There’s some business connection, but that’s not the main purpose.”
Happel said employees appre-ciate that the company encour-ages volunteerism, even dur-ing work hours. He said helping others makes people feel good, and that translates into a pleas-ant workplace.
“I think (employees) see the importance of being involved in the community,” Happel contin-ued. “Maybe it’s not the major reason why we’re a good place to work, but it’s a reason.”
In July, Bergan Paulsen employees worked one morning at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank instead of taking care of client’s fi nancial needs. Several helped out during the My Waterloo Days celebration.
Happel said United Way employee participation is 90 percent. Eighty percent donated
school supplies for kids this year and the company adopted resi-dents at Country View to show-er with Christmas gifts. And the list goes on, Happel said.
Brian Aronson, a staff accoun-tant for two years, said co-work-ers feel more like family. Spend-ing time together, often while helping others, is the reason why, he said.
Only a few years removed from college, Aronson said he hopes Bergan Paulsen is his last career stop.
“I enjoy the camaraderie,” Aronson said. “There’s a lot of diff erent activities to get involved in.”
Happel said Bergan Paulsen off ers excellent pay and bene-fi ts, fl exible work schedules and career planning.
“Years ago, we realized our best asset goes home every night,” he said.
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
Tax supervisor Joe Benter, left, and senior tax accountant Chris Kimball look over paperwork at Bergan Paulsen, an accounting fi rm in downtown Waterloo.
Actions speak louder than words at Bergan Paulsen5
Bergan Paulsen
EMPLOYEES: 75.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Certifi ed public accounting and con-sulting.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS
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FIELD: Family-like atmosphere and close relationships with clients foster good business relationships.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: We encourage employees to be involved in the community by serving on non-profi t boards, helping neighbors and volunteering for events.
100 E. Park Ave.Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 234-6885www.berganpaulsen.com
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THE COURIER PAGE 7MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Marvin Fagerlind, chief executive offi cer of Cedar Valley Hospice, says he believes management should “make sure staff has resources to do their job well, with the main resource being knowledge.”
In keeping with that belief, Cedar Valley Hospice encour-ages its staff members to com-plete certifi cations and stay current with trends in health care.
Staff is also encouraged to take hours of continuing education and participation in in-services in order to give the terminally ill and their families the best of care. In addition, any staff member can attend an annu-al fall conference one or both days.
CVH Human Resources Director Katie Upland said the staff “feels called to do the work they do.”
Others echo that attitude.“CVH exists to fulfi ll the mis-
sion of making each moment
matter for terminally patients and those who grieve which speaks directly to quality of life for many,” said Chris Olds, development director.
“Our team-centered approach with a management leader-ship team at the helm works well and provides for work and progress,” said employee Susan Morgensen.
“CVH makes every attempt to give their employees ample opportunity to spend time with their families and tend to their personal issues.”
CVH has works to help patients and families deal with life-ending illness in their homes and after the patient is admitted to the community of Hospice House.
CVH serves its community by “making sure each patient and family served by us receives the best palliative and end-of-life care to make each moment matter,” employee Krista Mul-der said.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Gary Johnson, a spiritual counselor at Cedar Valley Hospice, fi les patient charts at the Waterloo facility.
Cedar Valley Hospice encourages employees to pursue knowledge
6Cedar Valley Hospice
EMPLOYEES: 450.HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS
FIELD: CVH has a 31-year history as a hospice and was recently notifi ed that it has been named “Best of the Best” in home health care. It is the only hospice in Black County and surrounding counties. It provides extensive grief support services.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: CVH supports the United Way and also a variety of other organiza-tion fund raisers, such as the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk, Go Red, and Relay for Life.
CEDAR FALLS — Challeng-ing, rewarding, creative, fam-ily-friendly are the terms that come up again and again from the employees at T8 Webware when nominating the compa-ny for the Top 20 Employers of Choice.
CEO Wade Arnold has man-aged to create an encouraging, focused, productive, yet relaxed and fl exible work environment for his employees.
“The team at T8 respects that, as important as our work is, nothing is more important than family, said account manager/sales representative Christina Peverill.
“We work hard, but we have
fun, too. Our offi ces in the new Phantom Park are beautiful, modern and comfortable.”
While some perks include gourmet coffee, ergonomic chairs and 24-inch monitors, T8 also boasts an environment of nurturing and encourage-ment in a cutting-edge tech-nology fi eld.
“T8 Webware is the epitome of a creative, ever-learning, ultra-hardworking, dedicated culture,” said Eric Batterson.
T8 has a fun and engaging environment where collabora-tion and discussion are looked upon as ways to discover what has yet to be seen. Employees are encouraged to learn and ask questions.”
7T8 Webware
EMPLOYEES: 36.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Provides an entire Web presence for community banks and credit unions nationwide.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: On the cutting edge from a technology and service standpoint.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Involved with Vision 20/20 in fi nding ways to continue to grow technology jobs and retain people in the Cedar Valley; sponsors Tech-Brew and Tech Talk, gatherings of people in the fi eld to share infor-mation and promote the industry.
900 Technology ParkwayCedar Falls, IA 50613
(877) 884-3327www.t8webware.com
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See T8 WEBWARE, page 8
THE COURIERPAGE 8 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.com
for voting us one of theTop 20 Employer’s of Choice!
Thank You
827 W. 5TH ST., WATERLOO • MIKEFEREDAYHEATING.COM
319-277-1091CEDAR FALLS
319-232-0900WATERLOO
319-352-4099WAVERLY
WHENEXPERIENCE
COUNTSSALES, SERVICE & REPAIRSALL MAKES AND MODELS
“Wade Arnold is a great boss to have to bring enthusiasm into the work place with high spirits and excitement every day, which rubs off on all the other employees,” Ryan DeBoer said.
Arnold is humbled by the rec-ognition, as well as the com-
ments from his employees.“Anybody who owns and runs a
business, fi rst wants to meet the needs of his customers, but we also focus on meeting the needs of our employees. I mean, I spend more time with my employees than I do with my family.
“I have always felt if we take care of the other stuff , our employees can focus on their work — on the customers.”
T8 WEBWAREFrom page 7
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Eric Batterson, senior designer with T8 Webware, works on a project at the company’s offi ce in Cedar Falls.
WATERLOO — Advanced Sys-tems is a commercial distribu-tor of Canon and Lexmark copi-ers and offi ce equipment.
Although it does some sales and service in the residential area, it is not a retail store. The business was started in 1957 in Waterloo.
Now, it has branch offi ces in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Spencer and Waterloo, with sales and service in all locations.
Chief Executive Offi cer Jim Newcomb said he was surprised to hear of the nomination for Employers of Choice.
“I didn’t know it was happen-ing,” he said.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Shane Peterson, a customer service associate with Advanced Systems, installs parts on a refurbished copier.
Advanced Systems workers laud company for ‘giving back’8
Advanced SystemsEMPLOYEES: 55.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Advanced Systems Inc. distributes Canon and Lexmark copiers and business machines commercially. It is not a retail store although they do serve residential customers on a limited basis.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: The company provides sales and service to businesses in seven offi ces across Iowa.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Advanced Systems participates in the Chamber of Commerce Club.
2945 Airport Blvd.Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 232-6624www.asiowa.com
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See SYSTEMS, page 9
THE COURIER PAGE 9MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com
When asked about his mission and philosophy for Advanced Systems, he said he tries to “give back” and encourage employees.
“Our people are very impor-tant, and our priority is cus-tomer satisfaction,” he said.
The business participates in the community through the Greater Cedar Valley Chamber
of Commerce.Newcomb maintains an open-
door policy with his staff . “They can come in and talk to
me,” he said. “We also have a Friend Com-
mittee, which organizes pic-nics, bowling and other ways to encourage employee/man-agement cohesiveness outside the offi ce. Management and employees are proud that the average tenure of the company is 13.5 years.”
Employee Tammy Bedard
attributes the length of tenure to the eff ort Newcomb makes to provide positive feedback, opportunities to discuss issues or concerns with manage-ment and performance-based rewards.
“Each quarter, the CEO has a ‘Chat and Chew’ at all seven locations,” she said. “Break-fast or lunch are served and employees can sit down and share their ideas and concerns. Advanced Systems is a great place to work.”
CEDAR FALLS — Nick Elliott is proud to work at DISTek Inte-gration Inc.
So much so that he frequently wears DISTek shirts and has DISTEK on his vehicle’s license plate.
Other employees’ plates read DISTEK1, DISTEK2 or 4DISTEK.
“Our president said he would pay the (personalization) fee, so a few of us took him up on that off er,” said Elliott, in business development.
Employees sit among their bosses, said software engineer Beth Hallett, in her third year with the company. She likes that about the small, tight-knit company, where co-work-ers pop by each other’s desks to talk about their weekends. A golf outing is planned for September.
“It’s like a big family,” she said.
“Everyone’s working together, and we’re all a part of making this company successful and thriving. You feel like decisions about the company always are in the best interest of the employees.”
“And they’re willing to con-sider other people’s thoughts,” added senior controller Lary Hunter, a two-year employee.
Quarterly meetings keep the DISTek team informed about upcoming projects, changes
and how the company’s doing. Anyone who can’t attend calls in.
A monthly newsletter includes
a kudos section. Congratulatory phone calls and e-mails from the owner and senior staff also recognize accomplishments.
DISTek emphasizes an invest-ment in training to better serve customers, sending employees to trade shows, seminars and conferences or off ering learning opportunities on site.
The company, established in 1992, had about 40 employees when Elliott started fi ve years ago.
That number has nearly dou-bled, but the company’s attri-tion rate traditionally remains “very low,” he said.
Owner Matt Dickinson encourages vacation time, and last-minute requests typically aren’t a problem.
“As long as it’s not end-of-project crunch time,” Hallett said. “He wants his employees to be happy and healthy and well-rested.”
Hunter savors fl exible work schedules, which are especially valuable for those with young families.
“Or even someone like me whose kids are grown,” he said.
“If you’ve got personal issues in your life, a new baby, what-ever, things come up, DISTek works with you,” Elliott said.
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
Test technician Justin Derifi eld, left, and test specialist Kevin Vogel perform integration testing of a simulator box at DISTek Integration Inc. in the Cedar Falls Industrial Park.
DISTek Integration commits to employees’ success9
DISTek Integration Inc.NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 75. WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
DISTek is a provider of electronic systems, software development and product test systems. The company partners with clients to design smarter, safer and more sophisticated machines and prod-ucts that incorporate embedded electronic systems.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: DISTek is committed to val-ues of integrity, people, customer commitment and community.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: DISTek and its employees volun-teer time, donate materials and provide fi nancial support to a variety of charitable organizations, including Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Jaycees, Boys & Girls Club, FIRST Robotics and Warm Wishes.
6612 Chancellor Drive, Suite 600 Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-7333www.distek.com
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EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
THE COURIERPAGE 10 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.comEMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
CEDAR FALLS — Patti Reyhons likens her time at the offi ce to a day with family and friends.
As a recreational therapist at Western Home’s Thalman Square memory care unit, the Waterloo woman accompanies residents to outdoor concerts and local res-taurants and tags along on regu-lar fi shing excursions to a nearby pond.
“Attitudes are contagious, and when you’re surrounded by people who are positive and uplifting, if just kind of rubs off ,” said Reyhons, who is based at the organization’s Windhaven Assisted Living Center . “It’s a wonderful way to work every day and a wonderful way to live your life.”
Western Home Communities has been a part of the Cedar Val-ley for nearly 100 years and now employs 470 people across its three Cedar Falls campuses.
The organization, recognized as a leader in its fi eld, provides housing and medical assistance for roughly 800 area senior citizens.
The key to quality care lies in the commitment — and con-tentment — of the organization’s staff members, said chief operat-ing offi cer Jerry Harris .
“We want a family-oriented atmosphere because we’re ask-ing people to spend half of their waking hours here,” he said.
“We’ve always said, if our staff isn’t satisfi ed with their work and with what they’re doing, there is no way that we’re going to have happy residents and happy families.”
Employees at all levels, from maintenance workers to nurses, seek to create a homey feeling throughout the Western Home facilities.
The friendly environment helps residents feel at home and has the added bonus of creating a welcoming workplace for staff members.
“For the employees, the resi-dents become part of their
families,” said Lindsay Varney , a human resources assistant. “People come to work with the goal of making the residents’ lives better.”
The organization also off ers opportunities for growth, she added.
Some Western Home employ-ees started working at the com-pany twenty years ago through high school job training pro-grams. Today they are depart-ment managers.
Caring for the elderly is a rewarding job within the West-ern Home Communities, thera-pist Reyhons said.
“This is the kind of place where everybody — staff and residents — is there for everybody else,” she said. “There’s emotional support. People are there for each other.”
Left to right, Patti Reyhons, recreational therapist, helps residents Henrietta Schrage
and Frances Shaw water plants Tuesday in a commons area of
Thalman Square at the Western Home’s Windhaven Assisted Living
Center in Cedar Falls.
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
Western Home fosters welcoming atmosphere10
Western Home Communities
EMPLOYEES: 470.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Provides housing and in-home care and companion services for 800 area senior citizens.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: Western Home Communi-ties offers a continuum of care, allowing clients to gracefully tran-sition through their senior years.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Western Home Communities belongs to a number of state and national boards and supports local events such as the Alzheimer’s As-sociation Memory Walk .
420 E. 11th St.Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-2141www.westernhomecommunities.org
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THE COURIER PAGE 11MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
CEDAR FALLS — Cedar Falls Utilities, the largest four-ser-vice municipal utility in the state, prides itself on service, innovation and dedicated, com-petent employees, according to employees who nominated the company as an Employer of Choice.
The employees take pride in their customer service and enjoy working for a company where its customers, employees and com-munity are the top priority.
General Manager Jim Krieg explains the work force culture of CFU begins with a set of core values that is learned by every employee.
“The customer focus core value has resulted in a culture of service,” he said.
Finding employees who fi t this
workplace culture is not easy. Krieg says people are hired based on his three C’s — character; chemistry, from the standpoint of a person being able to work in a team setting; and confi dence,
the ability and knowledge in order to do the job.
Linda Mills, human resourc-es manager and a 37-year CFU employee, says the company is careful about the people it hires.
“This is a place where people want to work,” she said.
Two-year finance assistant Ashly Zinnel agreed.
“It’s a wonderful feeling know-ing you work for such a good company,” she said.
Zinnel says CFU is like a big family.
“We put together care packages for workers in need,” she said.
Virtually every employee boasts about the company’s Wellness Program. CFU pro-vides an on-site fi tness cen-ter and exercise classes. There are incentives up to $500 for employees reaching healthy milestones.
Health screenings are sched-uled annually and physicals are paid in total, while well-ness lunch programs, stretch-ing, chair massages and smok-ing cessation programs also are off ered.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Julie Boeke, left, teaches a wellness program class to Cedar Falls Utilities employees in Cedar Falls.
Customer service cascades from culture at CFU11
Cedar Falls UtilitiesEMPLOYEES: 210.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Provides Cedar Falls residents’ water, electricity, natural gas, high-speed Internet and cable television.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: CFU provides custom-ers with innovative, high-quality services that bring the best value to the community.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Employees provide Thanksgiving baskets to the needy, participate in Toys for Tots and have developed an “Add-A-Dollar” fund to help families with utility bills.
1 Utility ParkwayCedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-1761www.cfu.net
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THE COURIERPAGE 12 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.comEMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
WATERLOO — Expansion is on Mike Fereday’s mind these days, and he says a sense of trust between ownership and workers is a key to the company’s growth.
Fereday has been in the heat-ing and air conditioning business for a long time — his grandfa-ther started a family business in Waterloo in 1909.
Mike Fereday grew up in Water-loo and opened his own business there fi ve years ago. He plans to open a shop in Waverly in the near future. The business pro-vides service, replacement and repairs for commercial and resi-dential customers.
Fereday’s philosophy toward his employees is to “treat them all the same — the way I want to
be treated,” he said.He said he espouses the team
concept which, he says “makes the diff erence between respect and resent.” Mike strives to main-tain the feeling that the business is family and will do “whatever it takes,” including respecting his employees’ opinions and work-ing right alongside them.
Developing a relationship of trust, honesty and professional-ism is important for the owner, the staff and the customer.
The business works with the Hawkeye Community College intern program and often hires students who are learning on the job.
He recently hired a student who interned for two months — when he fi nished, he was hired full time.
Employees apparently feel
that Mike’s supervisory style is consistent with his philosophy — demonstrating genuine care for his employees’ well-being.
“Mike provides us with feed-
back in weekly meetings, telling us we did a good job on certain jobs and listens to us if we have any input to make things better,” employee Tim Fereday said.
“Mike is the best boss and makes our work environment fun, exciting, upbeat and positive even when things are not going the best day to day.”
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
Mike Fereday stands in his warehouse in Waterloo.
Fereday Heating & Air Conditioning grows with trust, respect
12Mike Fereday Heating
& Air ConditioningEMPLOYEES: 15.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Operates a sales and service busi-ness — commercial and residential.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS
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FIELD: Mike Fereday insists on quality service and trust with his customers.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Mike Fereday Heating and Air Con-ditioning works with Hawkeye Com-munity College to train students in an intern program.
827 W. Fifth St.Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 232-0900www.mikeferedayheating.com
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THE COURIER PAGE 13MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com
Dear Friends of Hellman,
It is with humble hearts that we thank you for helping
us become one of the top 20 Employers of Choice
in the Cedar Valley.
Thank you to our valued employees, whose creativity and
passion are unmatched; to our loyal clients, whose diligent
care and concern for their brands inspires us daily; and to
our generous community members, who have extended
hands in friendship and helped us thrive for over 44 years.
WATERLOO — A spirit of giving thrives at Hellman, employees of the Waterloo-based adver-tising agency say.
It’s one of the reasons Hell-man has grown in its 44 years of business, said Bob Hellman, founder and chairman of the board.
Hellman said his company started as a design studio.
“The original intent was to provide design services to cor-porations. It changed because of demand to provide more servic-es with a greater international reach encompassing more and diff erent talent, more sophisti-cated projects,” he said.
The founder also noted that his company is well-known for the way it handles product launch-es, public relations, business-to-business marketing projects, brand development and media.
“Hellman is great about rec-ognition and encouragement,” employee Kim Rogers said. “When new positions become available, current employees are encouraged to apply and are often promoted from within.”
Rogers said whenever the company wins an award, the employees involved receive congratulatory e-mails, and ads are placed in local papers and
tickets to award ceremonies are provided.
“Hellman also takes care of its employees by providing dis-counted gym memberships and yearly fl u shots,” Rogers said.
The company is employee-owned and has 28 stockholders.
Bob Hellman said his staff is “the most friendly, helpful group of people I have the plea-sure of knowing.”
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Tony Luetkehans, chief operations offi cer at Hellman, works on a calendar for a client.
Spirit of giving evidentat Hellman, workers say
13Hellman
EMPLOYEES: 38.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES: A
full-service advertising agency. HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS
FIELD: Hellman is well-known for the way it handles product launches, public relations, B2B marketing projects, brand develop-ment and media.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Hellman is a Partner in Educa-tion with Cunningham School for Excellence; participates in Junior Achievement, on whose board of directors the company has a mem-ber; and donates time and talent to the little league “Build Our Ball Park” project.
1225 W. Fourth St.Waterloo, Iowa 50702
(319) 234-7055www.hellman.com
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THE COURIERPAGE 14 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.com
Thank You to all of our
GREAT EMPLOYEES!!!
United Equipment Accessories is proud to be named Employer of Choice!
WATERLOO — According to its employees, Exceptional Persons Inc. works not only for the bet-terment of the community but also for them.
“It is rewarding, but not easy, work,” said Chris Sparks, EPI’s executive director.
Sparks is only the third execu-tive director in EPI’s 53-year his-tory. He came to the organiza-tion as assistant director in 1991, having started his career working directly with clients.
The nonprofit organization serves more than 5,500 children, adults and families in North-east Iowa each year and employs more than 400 individuals. EPI also works to expand child care options and to improve the qual-ity of child care available to fami-lies in Northeast Iowa.
“At the interview, I was cap-tured by the organization — its mission, its history, its staff ,” Community and Development Director Katie Slade said.
EPI fi nds responsible child care resources and child care Monday through Thursday, she said.
“We recruit new child care pro-viders and support existing ones, so parents can work and partici-pate in the community,” Slade said.
For employee Leona M. Bigler, one of the best aspects of work-ing at EPI is pride in the car-ing and quality support clients receive from EPI and the rapport the employees have with their clients.
“Laughter and good times are
had by employees and clients,” she said.
Other employees cited compet-
itive salaries and benefi ts, profes-sional development and fulfi lling work, among many others.
TIFFANY RUSHING / Courier Staff Photographer
Joyce Buehner, right, works with Stacey Winter, as they put together care packages during the day program at the Deery Center of Exceptional Persons Inc. in Waterloo.
Serving community half the joy for EPI leadership, staff14
Exceptional Persons Inc.
EMPLOYEES: 402.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Fosters active community par-ticipation of people with disabilities through residential and transporta-tion services, day activity centers and supported community services.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS
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FIELD: Serves more than 5,500 chil-dren, adults and families in Northeast Iowa and provides child care resourc-es for clients and their families.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: EPI supports United Way; the staff organizes a Christmas Giving Tree for families in need and contributes to the Exceptional Persons Foundation, as well as other causes.
760 Ansborough Ave.Waterloo, IA 50704
(319) 232-6671www.episervices.org
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Community connection is key for Next Generation Wireless
WATERLOO — Mark Kuboush-ek got used to customer com-plaints at his former employer, a phone provider.
“Customers were always com-ing in telling us things didn’t work,” he said.
Kuboushek got fed up, and two years ago he got a job as a retail wireless consultant at Next Generation Wireless, a U.S. Cellular agent in Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
He quickly realized the diff er-ences between his new gig and his old one. Now, he knows his customers more personally, and he doesn’t get as many com-plaints. He also said it’s the fi rst
job he’s had where he gets along with everybody at the Waterloo store.
“One of the things is we’re locally owned. To me, it seems we’re more involved in the community rather than being a big corporate chain,” Kuboush-ek said.
It’s one of the reasons Next Generation stands out among its phone provider peers, and the reason it’s one of the Employers of Choice.
“We coach our associates to open the door for customers, to go above and beyond,” said Joe Alig, sales manager for both the Waterloo and Cedar Falls stores.
15Next Generation
WirelessEMPLOYEES: 12.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Locally owned, authorized agent of U.S. Cellular that sells phones and accessories, is capable of analyz-ing bills and recommending a plan.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: Customer service.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Once-monthly community service by store employees that choose to participate, at places including Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, Hartman Reserve Nature Center and the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.
1513 Flammang Drive, Waterloo (319) 226-3500
215 Franklin St., Cedar Falls(319) 266-5070
www.ngwtoday.net
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See WIRELESS, page 15
THE COURIER PAGE 15MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
W A T E R L O O M I L L S C O M P A N YManufacturing and Distributing Quality Ag and Pet Products Since 1924
2050 E. Mitchell Ave.PO Box 1227Waterloo, IA 50704Phone: 319-234-7756Toll Free: 800-772-2045Fax: 319-234-5007
to all our faithful employeesfor making this year successful.We appreciate your great work!
“That’s what we strive to take care of. Our customers are our number one priority.”
They’re still almost a secret in the Waterloo location near Pita Pit and Starbucks, but they’ve seen traffi c pick up since open-ing the store three years ago, Alig said.
Employees get the usual paid time off if they’re full time, and they’re also encouraged to do community service projects as a store once per month with organizations like the North-east Iowa Food Bank and Junior Achievement.
But there’s also a perk spe-
cifi c to their workplace: getting to take home the latest phones.
“Right now most everybody’s got BlackBerries, but every-body is excited right now about the Android phone that has come out, so that’s the buzz right now,” Alig said.
Kuboushek and others work on commission, and those who sell the most can receive pizza parties, a free phone or cash as incentives.
But it’s the free things off ered to customers — contacts back-up, battery swaps — that make it easier for Kuboushek to like his job.
“The things we off er for free, they may not mean much, but it’s pretty important when you lose your phone,” he said.
TIFFANY RUSHING / Courier Staff Photographer
Next Generation Wireless store manager Joe Alig, right, shows Austin Miller a variety of phones at the Waterloo location .
WATERLOO — Cedar Valley Community Support Services was started by Anize Mamodaly and Bill Cook.
“We were working in the fi eld and loved what we did, providing help for adults with disabilities,” Mamodaly, the chief executive offi cer, said. “We decided to open a business together.”
The organization provides sup-ported community living for adults with disabilities.
Clients are provided with assis-tance in medicine management, referral, money management, cooking skills, anything that will assist clients to remain in the community, the leaders say.
Mamodaly stressed that clients and staff are treated with respect and dignity.
“Informally, we say ‘leave ego at the door,’” Mamodaly said.
“We have a team of highly moti-
vated and dedicated personnel who share the common goal of enhancing the lives of the people we serve. We also provide services to consumers who choose to live in surrounding communities.”
Employees offered positive comments concerning CVCSS and Mamodaly.
Many said they appreciate the feeling of family that pervades the workplace and extends into their personal lives.
“We have a very fl exible sched-ule,” employee Shirley Hinde said. “We can always talk to Anize if we have questions or concerns.”
Employees also say they have an appreciation committee, which plans activities and incentives. In addition, CVCSS off ers ongoing training to all employees.
CVCSS employees volunteer at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and support the Salvation Army, the Catholic Work Society and the American Cancer Society.
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
The staff of Cedar Valley Community Support Services go through a training session in Waterloo.
CVCSS mission works internally16
CV Community Support Services
EMPLOYEES: 90.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Offers supported community living for adults with disabilities.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: It provides its clients with help in managing their medi-cines and offers referral services, money-management and cooking skills and other forms of client as-sistance.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: CVCSS family volunteers at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and supports the Salvation Army, the Catholic Work Society and the American Cancer Society.
3121 Brockway RoadWaterloo, IA 50702
(319) 233-1288www.cvcss.com
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THE COURIERPAGE 16 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.comEMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
CEDAR FALLS — For bosses at ME&V, maintaining smooth relations with workers is a top priority, according to employees at the Cedar Falls-based public relations and marketing fi rm.
Employee Colleen Hayes sub-mitted an Employers of Choice nomination that provided an example of the positive and supportive way employees are treated.
“ME&V is very employee-focused,” Hayes said. “Several of our employees were impacted by the spring fl oods of 2008. ME&V provided its employees both the emotional support and the time needed to rebuild and repair.”
Two years later, the support continues, Hayes said.
“My husband and I are in the fi nal stages of taking our home out of harm’s way,” she said. “Without this fl exibility, I would not have been able to take on such a daunting task.”
ME&V was launched in 1996 by three of the four current part-ners — Dee Vandeventer, Mark Mathis, Jim Infelt and Bryan Ear-nest, who also is chief executive offi cer.
The company provides servic-es in four areas: advertising and consulting, fundraising guid-ance, health care marketing and
nonprofi t marketing.In addition to volunteer work
and donations to charitable organizations, ME&V personnel participate in the planning of the Cedar Valley Chase, a fundrais-ing event for the Cedar Valley United Way that sets teams of two sprinting around the metro area to complete a wide variety of challenges.
More fun activities, such as
pie-in-the-face contests, other fundraisers for the United Way and barbecues and bowling to raise money for local educa-tion are a part of ME&V’s way of helping the community, accord-ing to employees.
BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer
Sarah Pauls, left, and Terra Gissel look over logos in a branding project at ME&V in Cedar Falls.
Flood may be history, but ME&V still pitches in17
ME&VEMPLOYEES: 45.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Advertising and consulting, fund-raiser guidance, health care mar-keting and nonprofi t marketing.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: ME&V raises funds for nonprofi t organizations and con-ducts other successful fundraising campaigns. It helps organizations market their products and provides advice, as well.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Company staffers do volunteer work to support the Cedar Valley United Way. All employees contrib-ute to the United Way.
6711 Chancellor DriveCedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-9151www.meandv.com
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Livingston Aviation a high-fl ying employerBy NANCY JUSTIS
WATERLOO — “It’s the right people, doing the right thing, at the right place.”
That’s how Rick Young, chair-man of the board for Livings-ton Aviation, explains why this Waterloo company is so special.
Livingston Aviation has been a mainstay at the Waterloo Regional Airport for decades.
18Livingston Aviation
EMPLOYEES: 23.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Full-service fi xed-based operator providing fl ight ground service needs, extensive fl ight training, full service maintenance and aircraft charters.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: Owners and employees share
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in the pursuit of high standards and realize the company is a window to the Cedar Valley for private and busi-ness travel .
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Livingston donates its facilities to charitable groups and holds annual fl y-in/drive-in breakfasts allowing the community to view aircraft .
2814 Betsworth DriveWaterloo, IA 50703
(319) 234-1783www.livingstonaviation.com
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See LIVINGSTON, page 17
THE COURIER PAGE 17MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 www.wcfcourier.com
A TEAM YOU CAN BELIEVE IN.
EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
When Young and fi ve other Cedar Valley businessmen bought the company 11 years ago, they renamed the facility after local fl y boy legend John Livingston, who was born in Cedar Falls in 1897.
He and his brother took over Chapman Field, Waterloo’s air-port, in 1928.
He is best known for his racing prowess, winning 79 air events out of 139 he competed in. The book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach is based on his life.
Livingston off ers a wide vari-ety of general aviation services. It handles private airplanes, fuels all air traffi c coming in and out of the Waterloo Airport, provides transient hangar space and per-forms full-service ground sup-port, including maintenance.
Most of its business, however, involves pilot training in both fi xed wing and its newest off er-ing, instruction in helicopter fl ying.
It also charters aircraft.“We do a lot of accelerated
fl ight training,” Young said. “We get people coming from Europe to get their license. One overseas
student was going to be a mis-sionary in Africa so he wanted his license.”
General Manager Tim New-ton says about 20 people receive their licenses annually from Livingston.
Livingston is a small compa-ny by many standards with just eight full-time and 15 part-time employees.
The size enhances a close work-ing relationship.
Craig Olmstead, line service technician, says the Livingston management “cares about qual-ity of life as they are good about taking care of their employees’ needs. They allowed employees the time to take off to take care of their homes and families during the 2008 fl ood.”
Though small in numbers, Liv-ingston makes certain it is part of the community.
All six owners are involved in the Cedar Valley’s economic devel-opment in one form or another.
“We realize we’re literally the fi rst experience some of our cli-ents have of the community as they fl y in on business,” Young said.
“We want these people to be taken care of. We’re just not a profi t center, since we’re locally owned.”
LIVINGSTONFrom page 16
BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer
Flight instructor Chris Preston, right, works with Jared Egli, who is learning to be a fl ight instructor, at Livingston Aviation in Waterloo.
For breaking news
coverage, photos and video
updated all day
THE COURIERPAGE 18 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.comEMPLOYERS OF CHOICE
CEDAR FALLS — It’s a sure bet that the employees of Phantom EFX don’t consider going to work every day, well, work.
The workplace culture begun by company founders Aaron Schur-man and Danny Stokes contrib-utes to a free and easy environ-ment based on creativity, trust and fun now that there are nearly 50 co-workers. After all, Phantom develops computer games.
“Hey, we make video games for a living,” said game designer Bryan Vandaele. “It’s the fi rst job I’ve ever had where Monday morning I’m not depressed getting out of bed.”
Vandaele, in his nomina-tion materials, said Phantom is “distinctly relaxed and absent of bureaucratic nonsense, which allows employees lots of freedom to be the individuals they are. … (It) trusts its employees to get
their jobs done without micro-managing. Work early, work late, work from home — employees are trusted to stay within guidelines, schedules and deadlines.”
CEO Schurman says one of the keys to the success of Phantom is, “It’s very free. The employees can go do sound stuff , we welcome designs from anybody. Some-times a guy will work an extra hour a day whipping up a design. If we like it, we’ll put it right into production and let him manage the project.”
Even the workspace layout caters to creativity.
“It’s a very collaborative, open environment,” Schurman said. “The way we sit people here is by design. If programmers and designers are within earshot of each other, it’s perfect. Walls put up barriers to communication.”
Because of the freedom accord-ed its employees, Phantom EFX is very family-friendly. “We’re family here,” said graphic designer
Andrew Bouska. “This is the fi rst job I’ve had where I enjoy hanging out with these same people after 5 p.m. I would take an x-amount of a pay cut to help out and to stay here. I’d be terrifi ed of leaving.”
And workers don’t leave. No
one could remember an employee leaving of their own accord since the company was founded in 1998. “The craziest thing about Phantom is we have this much turnover,” Schurman said, show-ing a zero with his fi ngers.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
From left, Bryan Van Daele, Aaron Schurman, Adam Gill and Brendon Gruis share ideas during a meeting at Phantom EFX in Cedar Falls.
Fun is part of the game for Phantom EFX employees19
Phantom EFXEMPLOYEES: 45.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES:
Develops and publishes interactive card and casino entertainment titles for PC and Mac.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: Phantom EFX has top-notch talent involved in each aspect of the business while producing award-winning art.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Phantom EFX gives interns from the University of Northern Iowa a career entry into the world of video games. It is involved with the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance in fi guring out how to educate children better and how video games can help.
900 Technology Pkwy, Suite 300 Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-1999www.phantomefx.com
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What did seem to matter was that those who did submit nomi-nations voiced a clear passion for what they do and where they do it.
All of the winners shared a strong sense of teamwork and placed a high priority on the welfare of their employees. That those who nominated sensed that commit-ment was abundantly clear in the essays submitted with nomina-tion forms.
“An appropriate paycheck is always important to get the bills paid; however, quality in a work place and work life reaches far beyond a paycheck,” one nomina-tion form read.
Here’s another: “(Employer) realizes that the attraction and retention of talented staff is essen-tial to its success.”
And, still, one more:“They care about the quality of
life, as they are good about tak-ing care of their employees’ needs. They are fl exible and understand-
ing about family issues and events that come up.”
Those are actual quotes from real employees of winning companies. The name of the employer was intentionally omitted, because the story could have applied to any of the Top 20 — and beyond them, really.
Two years ago, when the Cedar Valley was dealing with the after-math of historic fl ooding, employ-ers were trumpeting the compas-sion and support their employers showed through that diffi cult period. Times are a little bit qui-eter this summer on the disaster front, but worries about the econ-omy and rampant unemployment persist.
Perhaps that’s why the 2010 Employers of Choice stands out as testament that not all is bleak, that an air of optimism still reigns and that the foundation of our local economy continues to hum along.
That The Courier received more than 200 nominations for this year’s EOC honor certainly lends credence to that outlook.
WINNERSFrom page 2
THE COURIERPAGE 20 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010www.wcfcourier.com
WAVERLY — Teamwork isn’t just a ideal at Waverly-based United Equipment Acces-sories Inc.; it’s a necessity, according to employees there.
United Equipment Accessories mar-kets itself as a leader in the production of heavy-duty slip rings, industrial cable reels, decril cable, cable chain/cable carri-ers and durable shift controls.
With president Mark Hanawalt at the helm, the company continues to develop products which will answer the motion application needs of its customers.
Hanawalt explained that the slip ring is an important part of the product mix.
“We work together (management and staff ) so each of our products meets our customers’ needs and is of the highest quality in engineering, design and work-manship,” Hanawalt said.
“Mark is a very laid-back, easygoing CEO, but at the same time, he expends energy looking for new industries UEA can benefi t with our superior slip ring tech-
nology,” said Grant Jensen, an employee at the company.
Development is ongoing at United Equipment Accessories, broadening uses
for the products and fi nding better ways to manufacture them, Hanawalt said.
Employees are encouraged to extend their skills at work and outside of normal
hours, Jensen said.“We’ve been in an extensive cross-train-
ing mode for the last two years so we can learn new skills, build our company and improve individual jobs,” Jensen said.
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
A production room at United Equipment Accessories Inc. in Waverly.
Teamwork, training priorities at United Equipment 20United Equipment Accessories Inc.
EMPLOYEES: 86.WHAT THE COMPANY DOES: Designs,
develops and manufactures products related to motion.
HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: UEA is a leader in the production of heavy-duty slip rings.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: UEA en-courages its people to be involved in civic groups, including Cedar Valley Friends of the Family, charities, cancer walks, the Waverly schools and tours to the Bremwood Com-munity.
2103 E. Bremer Ave.Waverly, IA 50677(319) 352-3946
