2015 Best Places to Work Results

50 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 51

Introduction THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN OKLAHOMA

T

Publisher Bill Bleakley

hirty-two outstanding Oklahoma Companies met the challenging qualifications to be selected as a 2015 Best Places to work in Oklahoma Company. We proudly submit their company profiles and salute their achievements.

Companies are required to have 25 employees working in Oklahoma to be considered for eligibility. Small to medium businesses must have less than 250 employees, and large businesses must have over 250 nationally. Numerous businesses apply each year to Best Companies Group, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which independently surveys, compiles

and analyzes a comprehensive list of information.

From there, a list of finalists is created and BCG selects winners. BCG then notifies the winners and partners with Tierra Media Group to promote the honorees in this special publication, 2015 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma; okc.BIZ (the program sponsor); and Oklahoma Gazette.

“We had many returning and some new businesses. We congratulate all of you!

Some commonalities of the companies this year and throughout the many of the years we’ve been presenting Best Places to Work in Oklahoma are promotion of health and wellness programs, green practices, community service and fun,” said Tierra Media Group Publisher Bill Bleakley.

PRODUCED BY OKLAHOMA GAZETTE AND OKC.BIZ COMPANY PROFILES

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON If you would like to find out how your business can participate in 2016 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma, please go to bestplacestoworkok.com.

To view comprehensive recipient profile listings, please go to okc.BIZ and to view this section online, please go to okgazette.com.

PARTNERS

Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Leading the way to building better communities through effective nonprofit management is at the heart of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. For over 30 years, the organization has been providing training, consulting, advocacy, membership, networking, recognition and more for Oklahoma nonprofits.

OKHR State Council As the official state affiliate of the Society of Human Resource Management, OKHR represents over 14,000 human resource professionals in Oklahoma. As an advocate of the human resource professionals, OKHR provides training, education, certification, networking and many other leadership opportunities. The organization also raises funds to contribute to the national foundation’s programs funding academic research, scholarships and more.

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Making Oklahoma City a better place to live, work, play and visit is the primary job of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. As a unified group of businesses, the organization works to enhance existing businesses while inspiring the growth of new companies. They are able to achieve these goals by having strong programs focused on economic development, community redevelopment, government relations, education and workforce development and tourism.

State Chamber of Oklahoma Speaking out and advocating for business is the business of the State Chamber of Oklahoma.

The organization is a voice for business in the halls of the Oklahoma State Capitol and represents more than 1,000 businesses with over 350,000 employees. Simply put, with strength in numbers, the State Chamber has been speaking on behalf of thousands of Oklahoma businesses since 1926.

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COVERS

ARTICLES & PHOTOS

52 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

AWARDS

Order archival reprints mounted on a modern plaque, ready for display and shipped to your door.

ANY CHALLENGE. ANY RISK. ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD We’re committed to recommending what is in the client’s best interest—not ours—and delivering our promises!

The story of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is more than 85 years in the making, comparable to few and as unique in strengths as it is rich in history. Founded on the cornerstones of integrity, innovation, teamwork and empathy, Gallagher has built its legacy one success at a time. Today, our employees adhere to these same values, weaving them into their daily work.

At Gallagher we know the importance of being a socially responsible company. That is why we strive every day to promote environmental, social and economic benefits to the communities in which we live and work. We believe in running our business with integrity and strong values, and pride ourselves in a culture that embodies both.

Whether we are working to help our communities, the environment or striving to always be an ethical company, Gallagher’s employees are making a difference around the world.

FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW, GALLAGHER WAS NAMED ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ETHICAL COMPANIES BY THE ETHISPHERE INSTITUTE. 2015 © 2015 Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. | AJG.COM 28624A

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 53

Rank in 2014

Years on list

Employees in state

% male

% female

Exec team % male

Exec team % female

% Rate of voluntary turnover last fiscal year

Edward Jones

1

1

10

524

42

58

81

19

6

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

2

9

6

700

22

78

67

33

15

Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma

3

13

10

721

25

75

71

29

12

Eide Bailly LLP

4

4

10

109

45

55

73

27

12

Capital One Auto Finance

5

6

8

460

43

57

56

44

9

180 Medical

6

15

1

265

37

63

75

25

16

Encompass Home Health & Hospice

7

12

6

548

10

90

60

40

16

First United Bank & Trust

8

10

7

643

35

65

75

25

18

Mars Pet Care U.S.

9

5

2

149

83

17

78

22

14

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

10

3

2

76

37

63

50

50

5

Safelite AutoGlass

11

N/A

1

103

76

24

60

40

29

First Fidelity Bank, N.A.

12

11

6

306

64

36

91

9

34

Cintas Corporation

13

14

7

367

62

38

100

0

16

AAA Oklahoma

14

N/A

1

255

40

60

70

30

37

Company

Rank in 2015

Large Businesses

54 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

Edward Jones

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

U.S. Corporate Headquarters St. Louis | edwardjones.com | Year Founded 1922

1

LARGE BUSINESS

Company Leader Jim Weddle, managing partner | Status Private | Employees in State 524

O

klahoma’s Edward Jones financial advisors run their own businesses, like entrepreneurs, without financial investment but aided by extensive firm support. They work in partnership with branch office administrators to achieve goals they set together, even office hours.

Financial advisors set their own schedules and choose their branch locations. Because they usually live where they work, it’s easy to duck out of the office to see an awards assembly or eat lunch with the kids. They work from anywhere using smartphones, laptops and firm-provided remote access.

Great perks abound.

“Each year, thousands of our financial advisors earn all-expenses-paid Edward Jones Travel Award trips to exotic destinations across the globe,” said Financial Advisor Mary Maddux, Ponca City. “In 2014, 60 percent of all financial advisors earned at least one [trip] ... by serving their clients well.”

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

U.S. Corporate Headquarters Boca Raton, Florida | cancercenter.com | Year Founded 1989 Company Leaders Richard Haldeman, Tulsa president/CEO; Gerard van Grinsven, system president/CEO | Status Private

2

LARGE BUSINESS

Employees in State 715

C

ancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) has a unique way of encapsulating its mission. It’s called the Mother Standard of care, which means that its employees (called stakeholders) treat each patient the way they would want their own mothers to be treated if they had cancer. It seems to work for the stakeholders themselves, too.

Stakeholders must be physically and mentally healthy to take care of patients.

CTCA offers an on-site fitness center, open 24 hours a day, for stakeholders and patients.

Stakeholders also have access to naturopathic practitioners for consultations, as well as $600 to be used for vitamins and supplements each year.

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 55

Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma

U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | dlolab.com | Year Founded 2001 Company Leader Bill Mosteller, CEO | Status Public | Employees in State 734

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

3

LARGE BUSINESS

E

ach year, Diagnostic Labs of Oklahoma takes care of more than 7,000 clients with a stateof-the-art core laboratory in Oklahoma City, two rapid response labs in Norman and Tulsa and 10 hospital laboratories across the state. It also has a fleet of 65 vehicles driven by diligent staffers who traverse more than 9,000 miles and make more than 1,250 stops each day.

Of the more than 9 million tests DLO performs each year, 95 percent are conducted in-state, so DLO employees are Oklahomans serving Oklahomans.

“As a health care organization, DLO organically has a culture of service,” said CEO Bill Mosteller. “Not only does DLO serve its patients, they also serve each other, creating a family atmosphere. This culture of service has allowed DLO to be named as one of Oklahoma’s Best Places to Work for 10 years in a row.”

Eide Bailly LLP U.S. Corporate Headquarters Fargo, North Dakota | eidebailly.com | Year Founded 1917 Company Leader Dave Stende, CEO/managing partner | Status Private | Employees in State 140

N

ationally, Eide Bailly is a top25 CPA firm, serving 54,000 clients. It has 1,600 employees and 27 offices in a dozen states. How does a company that large ensure its employees — and, therefore, its clients — have a top-notch experience day in and day out? It considers its culture the foundation of its success.

The company has a very open relationship with its partners and staff, so all parties involved feel they have the opportunity to contribute to the collective success of the organization.

Eide Bailly offers its employees wellness benefits, parties at the office, chair massages, casual Fridays, a healthy work-life balance and fun recognition programs with prizes like gift cards.

It also offers a tuition-reimbursement program and payment for study materials for the CPA exam.

56 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

4

LARGE BUSINESS

Capital One Auto Finance U.S. Corporate Headquarters McLean, Virginia | capitalone.com | Year Founded 1988 Company Leader Rich Fairbank, founder/chairman/CEO | Status Public | Employees in State 450

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

5

LARGE BUSINESS

T

he Tulsa office of Capital One Auto Finance always put its customers first, but as John Cook, director of extended operations said, “We want our associates to enjoy their day.”

Associates flourish while enjoying off-site team-building days that involve activities like bowling, putt-putt golf, go-kart races and golf along with fun company events throughout the year.

These take the form of department rallies, town hall meetings, holiday parties and luncheons.

There’s even a game room, which is a gathering place where employees can catch up on latest news and eat lunch or log onto a computer to view their favorite TV series or movies.

There is always a friendly competition at the pool table or the ping-pong table. In addition, Capital One offers top-tier benefits focused on helping associates be well physically, financially and emotionally.

180 Medical U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | 180medical.com | Year Founded 2002 Company Leader Ron Howell, CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 257

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

6

LARGE BUSINESS

1

80 Medical is a medical supply company, which means its customers are dealing with ongoing and often lifelong health issues. What it does every day improves people’s quality of life. The company makes sure its employees feel empowered, respected and appreciated because that directly affects the customers’ experience.

That service level is directly attributable to the quality of the company’s employees, an asset it nurtures.

180 Medical has 450 employees, and as it has grown, its leadership worked to make sure it never got so big that it lost the relationships it carefully fostered with its customers and employees.

Fun perks abound at 180. It has an onsite gym and free snacks available to all employees, the staff has opportunities to spin a prize wheel when certain goals are met and earn weekly treats such as food trucks, and they all enjoy participating in special challenges and themed contests.

OKL AHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 57

Encompass Home Health & Hospice

U.S. Corporate Headquarters Dallas | ehhi.com | Year Founded 1998 Company Leader April Anthony, founder/CEO | Status Subsidiary of a public company | Employees in State 500

E

ncompass Home Health & Hospice’s mission, “A Better Way to Care,” is at the heart of the dayto-day activities of every employee.

“Our patients are somebody’s parent, child, brother, sister or grandparent, and we are all keenly aware of that. That fact touches and informs our employees on a daily basis. Likewise, we recognize that each of us, as employees, is somebody’s parent, child, brother, sister or grandparent, and we are all keenly aware of that,” said founder and CEO April Anthony.

“Reinforcing our company’s mission really is a natural byproduct of the services we provide. … We all see it in the eyes of our patients and in the expression of gratitude from our patients’ family members each day. We all see it and hear it in the big and small ways that we care and help our teammates out each day.”

58 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

7

LARGE BUSINESS

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

First United Bank & Trust U.S. Corporate Headquarters Durant | firstunitedbank.com | Year Founded 1900

8

LARGE BUSINESS

Company Leader Greg Massey, CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 643

F

irst United Bank & Trust is a 115-year-old, full-service bank.

It uses a stakeholder model for success, recognizing the five groups of stakeholders that equally contribute to the success of the company.

Those five groups are: customers, employees, partners, communities and shareholders.

The goal is that doing business with First United should be a winning situation for everyone involved.

Perks enjoyed by First United employees include a comprehensive wellness program managed by an onsite wellness director.

The program includes free health screenings and health risk assessments, educational seminars, sponsorship in community events and wellness coaching.

Employees also are able to earn “well days,” which are paid days off for participating in the wellness program.

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

Mars Pet Care U.S. U.S. Corporate Headquarters Franklin, Tennessee | mars.com | Year Founded 1911 Company Leaders Grant F. Reid, president/CEO of Mars Inc.; Larry Allgaier, regional president, Mars Pet Care NA Status Private | Employees in State 149

9

LARGE BUSINESS

I

n 1911, Frank C. Mars began making candies in his Tacoma, Washington, kitchen and established Mars’ first roots in the confectionery business. In 1935, Mars entered the petcare business.

If you have a pet, chances are you know what the good folks at Mars Pet Care make. Eukanuba, Iams, Cesar and Whiskas are just a smattering of the brands under the Mars umbrella.

From day one of employment, workers receive benefits, a generous vacation allowance, a 401(k) plan and a pension plan, as do participants in the Mars Volunteer Program.

Associates also enjoy annual bonuses, employee awards programs, town hall meetings, tuition reimbursement, paternity leave, adoption assistance, lactation facilities, on-site personal development and more.

“Happy and engaged associates are more productive,” said Daniel Klapuch, Clinton site manager.

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 59

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. U.S. Corporate Headquarters Itasca, Illinois | ajg.com | Year Founded 1927 Company Leader Pat Gallagher, CEO | Status Public | Employees in State 76

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

10

LARGE BUSINESS

A

rthur Gallagher founded Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in Chicago on Oct. 1, 1927. Gallagher focused on commercial insurance and also pioneered the concept of risk management.

He knew that by understanding his customers and reducing their risks, he would build strong relationships.

Some perks of becoming part of the Gallagher family are a free vacation day within your birthday month, a flexible Friday schedule that allows employees to leave at noon every other Friday, flexible work hours, an annual company picnic, two floating holidays each year to be used in any manner the employee wishes and a social committee.

“The product we sell is ourselves, our attitudes and our knowledge,” said company leader Pat Gallagher. “A happy employee ensures our client’s needs are met with a smile, a servant heart and a great attitude.”

Only amazing employees could help make First Fidelity Bank a

2015 OKCBiz Best Place to Work!

FFB.COM 60 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

Safelite AutoGlass U.S. Corporate Headquarters Columbus, Ohio | safelite.com | Year Founded 1947 Company Leader Tom Feeney, CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 91

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

11

LARGE BUSINESS

S

afelite Auto Glass has a clear view of its future. Its plan is to become the natural choice for vehicle glass repair and replacement services in the U.S. Safelite drives business performance by putting people first and having an obsessive focus on recruiting and keeping talented employees inspired to deliver great results. “When we take care of our people, they then can take care of the customer, and the rest takes care of itself,� said CEO Tom Feeney.

Safeliters receive annual performance bonuses; lots of paid vacation and personal time off; medical, vision and dental insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; and paid time off to volunteer in the community.

Technicians also receive uniforms, a company vehicle for work and employee discounts with a variety of more than 100 vendors and companies. There is an associate-to-associate financial assistance program for employees in need related to tragic events.

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 61

First Fidelity Bank, N.A. U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | ffb.com | Year Founded 1920 Company Leader Lee Symcox, president/CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 350

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

12

LARGE BUSINESS

S

even-time Best Places to Work in Oklahoma honoree First Fidelity Bank knows a lot about keeping its 350 employees happy by treating them right.

“Our employees who put us here … make this a wonderful place to be,” said Lauren Harris, assistant vice president. “So we would like to thank them for everything they do to make FFB what it is.”

First Fidelity employees enjoy competitive salaries and great benefit packages, but it goes beyond that. They are offered sophisticated training and career development, financial support for professional organizations they choose to join and generous paid time off.

There also is a discounted fitness membership program with wellness support, an annual employee appreciation week, drawings for concert tickets and more. This year, First Fidelity Bank added a new perk: an employee night out at an Oklahoma City Energy Football Club soccer game.

Cintas Corporation U.S. Corporate Headquarters Cincinnati | cintas.com | Year Founded 1929 Company Leaders Scott Farmer, CEO; Brad McNeese, group vice president | Status Public | Employees in State 367

C

intas knows it isn’t luck that placed it on the Best Places to Work list for seven years. It’s lots of hard work and dedication to the company’s most valuable asset: its people, which it refers to as partners rather than employees.

“Our partners truly enjoy where they work and want to let others know we are one of the Best Places to Work in Oklahoma,” said Group Vice President Brad McNeese. “Our partners come to work each day in a safe, clean environment. They are paid fairly and treated with respect. Annually, we provide free, on-site health evaluations for all partners even if they don’t have Cintas health insurance coverage.”

There also is a perks program through which partners and family members receive thousands of discounts on cell phone services, car purchases, movie tickets and amusement park passes.

62 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

13

LARGE BUSINESS

AAA Oklahoma U.S. Corporate Headquarters Tulsa | aaa.com | Year Founded 1920 Company Leader Neal Krueger, president/CEO | Status Nonprofit | Employees in State 250

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

14

LARGE BUSINESS

A

AA Oklahoma was founded in 1920. It began with a scant 289 members and now boasts more than 360,000 members across Oklahoma.

“We have a tenured base of employees who believe in our products and services, who take pride in our brand and are dedicated to meeting our members’ needs,” said President and CEO Neal Krueger.

“Our employees are connected to the communities that we serve. AAA Oklahoma has offices throughout the state, which allows us to provide support locally while our corporate brand allows us to serve our members on a national and international scale.”

AAA Oklahoma’s 250 employees operate 12 full service and 32 insurance and membership offices throughout many of the state’s 77 counties.

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 63

Rank in 2014

Years on list

Employees in state

% male

% female

Exec team % male

Exec team % female

% Rate of voluntary turnover last fiscal year

Foundation Medical Staffing

1

1

3

25

52

48

91

9

4

TBS Factoring Service

2

2

2

138

24

76

37

63

2

InterWorks

3

6

5

93

83

17

85

15

5

MassMutual Finance Group Oklahoma

4

9

2

30

70

30

90

10

10

Industrial Controls of Oklahoma, LLC

5

13

1

95

95

5

75

25

7

BIS

6

8

3

80

70

30

93

7

35

Citywide Mortgage

7

4

2

30

18

82

25

75

26

Public Strategies

8

18

5

83

31

69

42

58

23

Nextep, Inc.

9

5

5

63

21

79

67

33

8

Vox Printing, Inc.

10

15

9

61

64

36

75

25

6

Ideal Homes of Norman, LP

11

7

5

102

50

50

83

17

10

High Plains Technology Center

12

N/A

1

48

40

60

100

0

0

Delta Dental of Oklahoma

13

N/A

1

111

19

81

40

60

10

Integrated Business Technologies, LLC

14

16

3

30

76

24

100

0

71

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic

15

N/A

5

160

23

77

50

50

11

Foundation HealthCare

16

N/A

1

104

36

64

84

17

17

Republic Bank & Trust

17

N/A

5

144

35

65

50

50

24

Sunbeam Family Services

18

N/A

1

128

10

90

33

67

33

Company

Rank in 2015

Small Businesses

64 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

Foundation Medical Staffing

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

U.S. Corporate Headquarters Salt Lake City | foundationmedicalstaffing.com, chghealthcare.com | Year Founded 1999 Company Leader Matt Rice, senior director | Status Private | Employees in State 27

1

SMALL BUSINESS

F

oundation Medical Staffing recruits and places dialysis nurses and staff in temporary and permanent positions locally and nationally. It’s a placement agency for nurses, technicians and renal dietitians.

Near-constant celebrations and great perks make it a fun and satisfying place to work. Employees celebrate random holidays such as Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Each year, during employee appreciation week, there are free chair massages, free meals and fun activities, and all year long, everyone gets to leave two hours early on Fridays if the team hits its weekly production goal. They have recess every Wednesday afternoon to play games and enjoy team-building activities.

Traditional benefits are also offered to domestic partners regardless of their sex.

There is an on-site health coach and a nurse practitioner whose services are free for employees.

Foundation also offers tuition reimbursement, a healthy pregnancy program, a smoking cessation program and pet insurance.

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SUCCESS OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 65

TBS Factoring Service U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | tbsfactoring.com | Year Founded 2004 Company Leader Wood Kaufman, CEO/managing member | Status Private | Employees in State 140

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

2

SMALL BUSINESS

T

BS Factoring Service’s success is truly a team effort. Led by former newspaper delivery boy and avid skier Wood Kaufman, the company finances business, mostly in the trucking industry, by buying invoices at a percentage discount and then collecting from customers later.

It’s a booming business.

And Kaufman knows how to keep his employees happy and motivated.

“We make a point of catching people in the act of doing things right and celebrate their achievement,” Kaufman said. “We have a generous bonus program, 100 percent employer-paid benefits paid for employees, company picnic, great associate development programs, paid time off for community service, Friday catered lunch from Cafe 501, our owner and management are accessible (in the trenches) and our year-end associate celebration is the stuff of legend.”

InterWorks U.S. Corporate Headquarters Stillwater | interworks.com | Year Founded 1996 Company Leader Behfar Jahanshahi, CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 100

I

nterWorks doesn’t have a traditional mission statement. Instead, this progressive company simply strives to hire the best people to do the best work for the best clients. From servers and storage to development and visualization, InterWorks provides full-spectrum IT and data solutions.

“InterWorks has always been about doing top-notch work all while having fun,” said CEO Behfar Jahanshahi.

“Above all else, we value the relationships we forge with our employees and our clients more than anything else. By taking care of them, we’ve made them pretty happy.”

How do you take care of 100 IT professionals? With corporate ping-pong tables, video games, beer Fridays (or any days) along with complimentary tickets to Thunder games, Driller games and other sporting events. Many companywide events are staged each year, such as the fiercely competitive annual BBQ contest, back-to-school carnival and its legendary holiday party.

66 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

3

SMALL BUSINESS

MassMutual Financial Group Oklahoma

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

U.S. Corporate Headquarters Springfield, Massachusetts | oklahoma.massmutual.com | Year Founded 1902 Company Leader Mark Burson, general agent | Status Public | Employees in State 34

4

SMALL BUSINESS

T

hroughout its many years in operation, MassMutual Financial Group Oklahoma has earned an overwhelmingly positive reputation with its clientele, which includes individuals, families and businesses.

It is MassMutual’s goal not just to continue, but to enhance the professional image and reputation of MassMutual and its advisors. The company’s core values and beliefs support the relationship that exists between upholding high ethical standards and the ultimate generation of growing sales and profits.

And while growing profits is crucial, it would not happen as easily without great people.

General Agent Mark Burson sees to it that MassMutual’s people are treated well by offering them flexible work schedules, plenty of family time and the ability to work from home if needed. Staff outings, an annual company picnic and an annual awards banquet add to the fun, sense of family and devotion to excellence that MassMutual embodies.

Industrial Controls of Oklahoma, LLC

U.S. Corporate Headquarters Tulsa | ico-llc.com | Year Founded 1980 Company Leader Michael Huckaby, manager | Status Private | Employees in State 95

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

5

SMALL BUSINESS

M

ichael Huckaby’s goal for his company, Industrial Controls of Oklahoma, LLC, is to be a world-class industrial electrical contractor with a staff that’s dedicated to its craft. He is well on his way, a fact he attributes in part to having high-wattage, dedicated employees.

Or, as he puts it: “We leverage our vast electrical knowledge and combine it with the superior craftsmanship of our employees to deliver superior construction results.”

The company has seen an increase in the amount of activity in the electrical construction field. Multiple large projects have placed a strain on the local labor pool, which is why ICO has prioritized creating a workplace in which employees thrive. Employees at ICO enjoy four-day workweeks with flexible time off. They participate in an annual ICO day at a Tulsa Driller’s baseball game, followed a few months later by an annual holiday party at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

OKL AHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 67

68 | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | OKLAHOMA GAZETTE

BIS U.S. Corporate Headquarters Edmond | bisok.com | Year Founded 1986 Company Leader Dan Rotelli, president | Status Private | Employees in State 100

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

6

SMALL BUSINESS

B

IS has built a solid reputation as a full-service information technology provider and integrator of high-quality document and data management systems since 1986.

“Our team members aren’t afraid to make decisions. We’re proud that in a day and age where some companies get stuck in that ‘analysis-paralysis’ cycle, our team members have the ability to make courageous decisions,” said Dan Rotelli, president.

BIS employees enjoy a relaxed work environment and many perks. To unwind or clear their heads in order to refocus during the day, employees can enjoy a game of ping-pong or play video games with coworkers.

“Those things are there for our employees so they can be mentally fresh and, let’s face it, have a little fun while they’re working,” Rotelli said. “Periodically, we also enjoy impromptu barbecues, cookouts, root beer floats and other perks like that.”

Citywide Mortgage U.S. Corporate Headquarters Norman | citywide-loans.com | Year Founded 2000 Company Leader Vernon McKown, president | Status Private | Employees in State 24

BP T W 2015 OKC .BIZ

7

SMALL BUSINESS

C

itywide Mortgage is a familyowned business founded with the goal of keeping customers happy throughout the home buying process. Founders recognized that securing proper financing was the most challenging and unpredictable element in buying or building a home.

Citywide was created to ensure that the mortgage process is smooth, simple and even enjoyable for customers, and the company works with homebuyers and the refinance market as well as with Realtors and builders.

What do Citywide employees enjoy?

Generous vacation time, management that employs a coaching leadership style, employee profit sharing and shortened workdays on Friday as workload permits.

Its sister company, Ideal Homes, also works with employees to provide new home purchase discounts. Full- and parttime employees, along with their families and friends, receive discounts ranging from 3 percent to 10 percent for employees who have been with Citywide two years or more.

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 | 69

Public Strategies U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | publicstrategies.com | Year Founded 1990 Company Leader Mary Myrick, president/CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 83

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ublic Strategies was established in 1990 as a public relations and event-planning firm. Under the leadership of president and CEO Mary Myrick, Public Strategies has grown from a one-woman operation to a comprehensive project management and communications firm with a staff of professionals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. The journey from a small firm serving the Oklahoma City Cavalry professional basketball team to a large, multifaceted organization serving dozens of local, state and federal clients has been a fascinating one.

Among the benefits employees enjoy are summer hours, competitive benefits, food trucks, gym reimbursements, extended holidays, paid downtown parking, employee recognition programs, casual dress days, holiday and impromptu staff celebrations and tickets to community, entertainment and sporting events.

“Happy employees are motivated, inspired and loyal,” Myrick said.

Nextep, Inc. U.S. Corporate Headquarters Norman | nextep.com | Year Founded 1997 Company Leader Brian Fayak, founder/president/CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 63

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rian Fayak formed Nextep in 1997. Fayak’s move was bold by any standard: He went from a position with a publicly traded company to one where he was it — the operations team, the sales team and the owner. Since those humble beginnings, Nextep has grown to be one of the premier professional employer organizations in the industry, with clients across the country.

Fayak wants his employees to be happy, and then some.

“Happy is good, but we’re going for engaged workers. People who have been invested in and appreciated are going to work 10 times harder for you,” he said.

“They’ll own problems with you and help you find solutions. They’ll contribute, deliver and protect. Our engaged workforce treats our clients well, are a source for company and employee referrals and they allow our management team to be more productive. ”

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Ever fist-bump a newspaper?

Now’s your chance. Join VI in giving respect to the 32 companies who’ve been voted the 2015 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma.

Don’t leave them hangin’.

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Vox Printing, Inc. U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | voxprint.com | Year Founded 1971 Company Leader LaVerna Reid, CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 81

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or 43 years, Vox Printing has printed everything: Direct mail pieces, promotional materials, newspaper inserts and bag stuffers are mainstays. One special contract for Vox has come in the form of tray liners and other items for McDonald’s, a relationship that has flourished for more than 40 years.

Of the many perks offered by Vox Printing, one of the more unique is its company chaplain. Each week, a pastor visits for confidential mental, emotional and spiritual guidance. Vox employees also have enjoyed a company-provided financial management course, which helps them alleviate money woes and stresses.

Annual employee celebration events are held each summer and during holidays. Vox also offers tuition reimbursement, pays 100 percent of health insurance premiums and sends bonus checks each October. And the icing on the proverbial cake? You guessed it: Each employee receives a cake on his or her birthday.

Ideal Homes of Norman, LP U.S. Corporate Headquarters Norman | ideal-homes.com | Year Founded 1989 Company Leader Vernon McKown, cofounder/president of sales | Status Private | Employees in State 107

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deal Homes employees enjoy a positive work environment, team atmosphere and great company culture.

Throughout the year, employees attend Ideal Homes-sponsored social events and teambuilding activities.

When requirements are met, profit sharing is distributed evenly among qualifying staff. There are potluck dinners and cookouts, extra days off around holidays, training opportunities, flexible work hours, insurance benefits, 401(k) benefits, paid employee life insurance, company phones and iPads, discounts on a purchase of a new Ideal Homes home and advancement opportunities when available.

The company also shares a 5 percent giving commitment with the community, which it does by donating directly to charities, offering fundraising opportunities and supporting the causes that are important to its workers. On staff members’ yearly anniversaries, Ideal gives $10 per year of employment to a charity of their choice. Many have been with the company for 10 or 15 years.

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High Plains Technology Center U.S. Corporate Headquarters Woodward | hptc.edu | Year Founded 1982 Company Leader Dwight Hughes, superintendent/CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 49

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ur employees being happy and engaged allows all of us to do our jobs better and work in a cohesive environment. We are more productive, we have very little absenteeism and very little turnover,” said CEO and Superintendent Dwight Hughes. “Our people love what they do, and it shows. Ultimately, it allows us to work with our students closer and give our students the skills, resources and tools they need to be workforce ready when they complete their training or program.”

The center is part of a network of career technology centers across the state. Since 1982, High Plains has trained individuals for success in the workplace. A variety of courses make career education possible for students from all walks of life. This year marks its first appearance in Best Places to Work in Oklahoma.

Delta Dental of Oklahoma U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | deltadentalok.org | Year Founded 1973 Company Leader John Gladden, president/CEO | Status Nonprofit | Employees in State 118

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elta Dental of Oklahoma has earned its place on this list five times, and that’s something to smile about. Its mission is to be Oklahoma’s foremost developer, marketer and administrator of quality dental benefit programs, and its high standards and great benefits helped it take a bite out of its competition.

The company returns surplus revenues to customers via lower premiums and richer benefits. Remaining surpluses go to provide free and low-cost dental care for in-need clients.

The Delta Dental crew enjoys employee appreciation week and lots of “days”: ice cream day, s’mores day, coffee and smoothie day and hot chocolate day. All those treats are offset by team rowing, human foosball, rock climbing and tricycle races. An on-site wellness area includes treadmills, free weights, a bike and an elliptical machine. To stay well, Delta Dental also offers company-paid flu shots for employees and their families.

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Integrated Business Technologies, LLC

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U.S. Corporate Headquarters Broken Arrow | integratedbusinesstechnologies.com | Year Founded 2007 Company Leaders Eric Kehmeier, co-founder/CEO; Bret Grady, co-founder/COO | Status Private | Employees in State 29

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ntegrated Business Technologies offers services and solutions to businesses that wish to outsource IT, product sales, project implementation and more.

IBT is a high-tech company with excellent “soft skills” for clients and employees. Its corporate mission is straightforward: It focuses on technology so clients can focus on business.

Its approach to keeping employees happy is equally simple: Happy employees equal happy clients, which lead to a sustainable business, positive work-related relationships and endless growth possibilities.

CEO Eric Kehmeier said it this way: “A company is only as good as its team members, which is why our team consists of hardworking men and women who value their careers, praise the success of others and are constantly seeking ways to better themselves and their team.”

IBT employees enjoy surprise ice cream breaks, food truck lunches and — perhaps to offset these indulgent treats — access to treadmills, elliptical trainers, pool tables and foosball.

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | okcic.com | Year Founded 1974 Company Leader Robyn Sunday-Allen, CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 145

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ore than 40 years ago, a group of volunteer physicians came together to fill a healthcare void by providing services five hours a week to Central Oklahoma’s underserved American Indian population.

At that time, the closest American Indian health care clinic was 40 miles away and it was almost a two-hour drive to the two nearest Native American hospitals.

For their dedication, and because the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic cares about its workers and wants to retain them, employee benefits and perks are fantastic.

Medical and dental premiums are paid at 100 percent for employees and their families.

Paid time off is generous and ranges from 15 to 42 days. Beyond that, there are 11 paid holidays and everyone gets a day of leave on his or her birthday.

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Foundation HealthCare U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | fdnh.com | Year Founded 1996 Company Leader Stanton Nelson, CEO | Status Public | Employees in State 105

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ur motto is ‘Do the right thing. … Do it all the time,’” said Stanton Nelson, CEO of Foundation HealthCare. “Our purpose is to create and grow income and growth opportunities for our shareholders, physician partners and employees by owning and operating surgically focused hospitals that facilitate and enhance the surgical experience and outcomes for physician partners and their patients.”

Foundation HealthCare goes to great lengths to create a family culture in which everyone understands that each person is important and critical to the company’s success. It values its employees and the tremendous work they do to serve the company’s partners (physicians) and their patients.

Staffers enjoy health and retirement plans and generous paid time off. The company pays for its employees’ family or individual gym memberships. Add to that regular holiday and birthday parties and you have a recipe for happy employees and a great place to work.

Republic Bank & Trust U.S. Corporate Headquarters Norman | rbt.com | Year Founded 1988 Company Leader Chuck R. Thompson, president/CEO | Status Private | Employees in State 144

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orman’s Republic Bank & Trust finds and keeps excellent employees by training and empowering them and by providing them with a rewarding, productive, happy place to work.

“We are honored by the affirmation of our bankers that this is a great place to work,” said CEO Chuck R. Thompson.

“As Norman’s local community bank, we know firsthand the challenges and rewards of providing an atmosphere that fosters growth, identifies individual strengths and approaches each opportunity with a team philosophy. At Republic, we know that our best assets go home each night.”

Investing in employee health and fitness also is important at Republic.

There’s an expense-reimbursement program to offset the cost of health programs, health club memberships and health equipment.

Similarly, Cash for Crayons is a reimbursement program for back-to-school clothing and school supply expenses.

Both are offered to full- and part-time employees.

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Sunbeam Family Services U.S. Corporate Headquarters Oklahoma City | sunbeamfamilyservices.org | Year Founded 1907 Company Leader Jim Priest, president/CEO | Status Nonprofit | Employees in State 135

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e know that because we’re a nonprofit, we have to be creative with the ways we offer extra benefits to our staff,” said Executive Director Jim Priest. “For several years, we have closed our offices from Christmas Eve until after the New Year to allow our Sunbeam family to enjoy their personal families. We also have a very generous time-off package and are always striving to offer competitive salaries and benefits.”

Employees receive a generous benefit package including very affordable medical coverage for less than $20 a month.

Sunbeam recognizes one or more employees each month at board meetings as a Beamer Living the Mission with a certificate and gift card.

Employees are also recognized for exemplary work by being featured in CEO Jim Priest’s Monday Message email that goes to all employees and board members.

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