2016 Top Places To Work

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Headquarters: Lacey South Sound Employees: 57 Industry: Financial Institution Leader: Jerald Shaw, CEO/President Employees praised Anchor for its leadership’s accessibile and caring nature. “ALL management is accessible,” said one worker; management “makes you feel welcomed and valued any time you approach them with ideas,” said another.

Congratulations to all the Top Places to Work nominees and each of their employees.

ANCHORNETBANK.COM | 800.562.9744

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AWARD Headquarters: Olympia South Sound Employees: 18 Industry: Energy Efficient Design-Build Leader: “none” Culture is key at this Thurston County firm. “I’ve never worked in an environment where we can be so productive and have so much fun at the same time,” said one team member. “It’s a precious balance of enjoying life and working hard to achieve lofty goals,” echoed another.

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Headquarters: DuPont South Sound Employees: 55 Industry: Not-for-Profit Leader: Tyler Andrew, President/CEO Multiple Better Business Bureau employees brought up the group’s weekly one-on-ones with managers as a big positive for the work environment, calling them “a good way to stay connected.” The meetings were lauded for, among other things, “creating healthy communications, answering questions, [and] giving encouragement.”

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Headquarters: Tacoma South Sound Employees: 722 Industry: Commercial Bank Leader: Melanie Dressel, President & CEO The bank’s active engagement in a community is seen internally as a big plus. Asked what makes the organization a great place to work, several answered matter-of-factly. “The fact that we are encouraged to be involved in the community,” said one. “That Columbia is passionate about where we live,” said a second. “We are very focused on our customers and community,” echoed a third.

What’s the difference between having a bank, and having a relationship?

Our employees.

Yet again, the incredible employees of Columbia Bank have named us among the top places to work. Though the attention is temporarily focused on the bank, the real and ongoing credit goes to each and every employee for being the heart and soul of Columbia Bank. And for being the reason our customers notice the difference, every day.

You’ll notice the difference.

Find out more at ColumbiaBank.com or call 877-272-3678.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

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AWARD Headquarters: Tacoma South Sound Employees: 21 Industry: Public Accounting Leader: Paul Doty, Managing Shareholder A lot of firms say that people are their biggest asset, but as one Doty team member says, “actions speak louder than words.”

The business surpasses expectations by providing “an always stocked fridge, plenty of networking opportunities, a plethora of social activities, numerous team-building experiences … and weekly little surprises that keep our minds off the occasional long days.”

Mold your ideas into results.

You know what success looks like. You just need the plan. Whether you are operating a business, planning for retirement or caring for loved ones, The Doty Group has the right tools to help you create and shape your vision.

It’s your dough. We’re here to protect and help it grow.

Contact us for a consultation.

253-830-5450 I www.dotygroupcpas.com

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Headquarters: Tacoma South Sound Employees: 7 Industry: Investment Management, Financial Planning Leader: Ali Criss and Mike Dunbar This small company’s singular focus on being the best for its clients scores high as a source of engagement for its employees.

One described it as a “self-motivated work environment with a common goal of our clients’ needs being #1. ” It’s a “teamoriented environment,” chimed another, “where everyone works together, yet maintains a sense of self-management and accountability for our duties.”

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Headquarters: Lacey South Sound Employees: 7 Industry: Information Technology – Software Leader: Sanjeev Batta, Customer Success Lead “It truly feels like a family and we support each other,” said one member of the Gardiant team of the company. “We celebrate our success and we all work hard together. This is the best company I have ever worked for, because everybody makes everybody else feel appreciated and valued, an important piece of the big picture that is Gardiant.”

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Olympia Medical Center South Sound Employees: 987 Industry: Healthcare Leader: John Corapi, CEO In the health care sector, it’s a big deal to employees that businesses put the patient first. At Group Health, the team sees the commitment and buys in. “[We] focus on patient care as our primary focus, so I feel ethically best working for the organization,” said one, while another added that “it is apparent that all levels of staff want to meet the common need of the patient.”

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Headquarters: Tacoma South Sound Employees: 10 Industry: Advertising/Public Relations/Communications Leader: Kathleen Deakins, President “This is the most supportive office I’ve ever worked in,” said a JayRay employee, and others agree. “JayRay really cares about each person that works here! The organization allows for flexible schedules as needed and promotes a work-life balance by working together as a team.” The location isn’t bad, either; several praised the company’s waterfront office. “We have been known to even take laptops out there on a nice sunny day!”

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AWARD Headquarters: Lakewood South Sound Employees: 62 Industry: HVAC Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Leader: Peter Hungate, Owner/General Manager One worker was very succinct in answering what makes Pacific Air Systems a great place to work: “It’s my family,” they wrote. Many within the company agree. “The owner makes us all feel like we’re partners,” said another, who added that “many have been here 10+ years, and it’s a wonderfully ran team, rather than a company.”

Headquarters: Tacoma South Sound Employees: 24 Industry: Media Leader: Josh Dunn, CEO “For the first time in my life, I don’t dread coming to work each day,” said a member of the Premier Media Group team. “I have been lucky enough to be employed here for one year, and this has been the best year of my life thanks to my coworkers and my boss.” That’s high praise, and it’s not an isolated feeling. “I’ve never worked somewhere so supportive and encouraging,” added a co-worker. “I truly love my job and my company.”

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Headquarters: Tacoma South Sound Employees: 8 Industry: Employee benefits consulting Leader: Chris Free, Principal Integrity is a big word at Rapport Benefits group, with one employee calling it the company’s “bottom line.” “I would not be here [without it], and have left other places because of it!” they said. “Here, we live and breathe by our integrity.”

“Sometimes, we should set better boundaries,” added another. “It is very hard for us not to help people.”

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Headquarters: Gig Harbor South Sound Employees: 105 Industry: Commercial & Residential Construction, Property Management Leader: Matt Smith, President Several employees at Rush gave short answers to our employee survey asking about what makes the company a great place to work, but that’s not a bad thing. “Stability,” said one. “They care,” added another. “The people,” said a third, and a fourth, and a fifth. Clearly, the organization has built a winning culture. “It’s apparent,” said one worker, “that everyone is striving to make this firm succeed and grow!”

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Headquarters: Tacoma South Sound Employees: 8 Industry: Sales & Marketing Leader: Kent Johnson, President Saturn Barter’s leadership relates to its entire team, and employees can see it every day. “The best part about working at Saturn Barter Company is how much the owner and upper management care about my coworkers and myself,” wrote one employee. “Even in the short time I have been here, there is a trust between each employee in the company that has been hard to find in other places I have worked.”

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Headquarters: Lacey South Sound Employees: 47 Industry: Transportation Planning & Design, Civil Engineering, Environmental & Urban Planning Leader: Perry Shea, President “There are no fiefdoms in our company,” observed one employee at SCJ alliance. Indeed, others joined in praising the firm’s supportive, inclusive atmosphere and genuine desire to see its workers succeed and grow. “I’ve never worked somewhere that I felt was so supportive of advancing my professional goals and interests — they truly want us to realize our full potential, and they strive to facilitate that.”

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AWARD Headquarters: Olympia South Sound Employees: 16 Industry: Non-profit developer, homebuilder and lender Leader: Curt Andino, Generalissimo The mission of the global nonprofit’s regional arm is a big winner among its employees. “Every day, I get to go to work and go home knowing that no matter how stressful my day may have been, the work I did is recognized and appreciated,” said an employee. “We do this for a good cause,” said another. “Our job,” added a third, “is to be kind, be useful, and to help people who are struggling. What could be a better affirmation of why we walk this Earth?”

to all of the 2016

Top Places to Work Finalists

Congratulations!

2015 Gratification Award Winner

BUILD EXPAND MAXIMIZE

www.bpci.net 253.286.3900

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Headquarters: Fircrest South Sound Employees: 72 Industry: Credit Union Leader: Carlyn Roy, CEO Employees value upward mobility, and at TAPCO Credit Union, it’s seen as a big benefit. “TAPCO looks first to promote and hire from within the organization, and encourages growth of the individuals,” one worker wrote. It’s a policy that fosters high morale, and it shows, with many giving the company high scores on pride and engagement. “It’s a place where the employees enjoy coming to work every day,” said an employee.

FOR THE LOVE OF EMPLOYEES FOR THE LOVE OF MEMBERS FOR THE LOVE OF PEOPLE

TAPCOcu.org/PEOPLE 253.565.9895

Federally insured by NCUA

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Headquarters: Kent South Sound Employees: 22 Industry: Sales, Service, Parts & Manufacturing Leader: Jack Kay, President Family-owned and operated Torklift has brought that close-knit vibe to the workplace, and its employees feel the love.

“Everyone cares about each other and the management and ownership makes sure you have everything you need on a professional level and a personal level,” a team member said. “I know other companies always say things like this, but Torklift actually does it.”

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Headquarters: Chehalis South Sound Employees: 4 Industry: Non-Profit Organization Leader: Debbie Campbell, Executive Director “I suspect that there are a lot of people that wish they had my job,” wrote a member of the United Way of Lewis County staff, and they’re probably right. “Our organization cultures an environment where we can work as a team, we are encouraged to recognize each person’s strengths, we are involved with relevant decisions, and given the tools to be successful.”

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Proudly supporting business owners and their employees as they achieve a lifetime of success

Congratulations

Jerry Korum of Korum Automotive Group Business Examiner’s 2016 Legacy Award recipient

At Albers & Company, we believe that hard work deserves recognition. That’s why, since 1985, we’ve provided local businesses and their employees with only the best options to develop a health and retirement benefits package that meets their needs. We also believe that you can never stop achieving. To help local businesses reach the top, we are now providing hands-on human resource support through our HR Services division – ConnectHR.

Headquarters: Sumner South Sound Employees: 4 Industry: Dentistry Leader: April Ziegele, Doctor The Ziegele team isn’t shy about how much they love to work there. “When I was hired, I thought I’d won the lottery of jobs!” said one employee. “I’ve died and gone to dental heaven!”

Others agree. “It’s not work at that point,” chimed another employee. “It’s just hanging out with friends, having a great time, letting our patients in on the great time we’re all having!”

Learn more about Albers & Company’s employee benefits and human resource solutions by visiting www.alberscompany.com.

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