Careerbuilder Top Companies To Work For In Arizona 2013

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TOP COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN ARIZONA

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PRODUCED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING | SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

Great state.

Great news.

Great place to work.

Thank you, Schwab employees, for naming us a “Top Workplace” in Arizona.

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Maybe it’s our company values. Our commitment to clients.

Our diversity and inclusiveness. Our concern for our employees’ well-being. Or maybe all those things combined make Schwab a different kind of investment firm and a place our employees really like to work. How about you? Is Schwab your kind of workplace?

Visit aboutschwab.com/careers

©2013 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC. (0413-2561) ADP75051

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CareerBuilder | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | 3

IN ARIZONA

Goals of Top Companies to Work for in Arizona • to create and publish a highly credible list of the top employers in Arizona valued by employees and management • to foster a healthy competitive spirit

Top Companies to Work for in Arizona

Creating a stronger economic engine for Arizona by recognizing successful companies BY PAULA HUBBS COHEN

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orking in close collaboration, CareerBuilder, Republic Media and BestCompaniesAZ have produced the first annual 2013 CareerBuilder’s Top Companies to Work for in Arizona program. The only statewide program of its kind, this initiative has been designed to identify companies that have achieved top rankings in employer practices as well as employee engagement and satisfaction scores.

“Our goal is to ignite the power of collaboration and to recognize organizations that are creating quality jobs and work environments that make Arizona a better place for our workforce,” said Ryan Mote, director of recruitment advertising for CareerBuilder and Republic Media.

“This program is providing us with new benchmarks for employers relating to their human resources practices and benefits that are attracting and retaining talent in today’s market.”

Background

Approximately six years ago, Republic Media was searching for a partner to help evaluate

top companies in Arizona dedicated to women’s leadership initiatives. Born out of that research was AZ Magazine’s Top 25 Workplaces for Women.

“Since that time, the goal has been to grow the program to a statewide level and broaden the scope to include all companies,” said Cami Kaiser, general manager of Republic Media Custom Publishing and Magazines. “As we evolved to Top Companies to Work for in Arizona, we stayed true to our roots by folding in a category identifying 10 companies that exemplify strong initiatives to grow women leaders in their organization.” See page 19.

Important partnerships

To produce Top Companies to Work for in Arizona, CareerBuilder, which is published

by The Arizona Republic, partnered with BestCompaniesAZ, an Arizonabased consulting firm that specializes in identifying, developing and promoting best companies.

Kaiser noted that BestCompaniesAZ has been at the forefront of these types

Produced by Republic Media Custom Publishing, a divison of The Arizona Republic. 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004.

For general advertising inquiries, call Republic Media at 602-444-8443.

of programs for more than a decade. “In fact, BestCompaniesAZ introduced the first workplace award program to Phoenix in 2003 in partnership with the Great Place to Work Institute which is Fortune Magazine’s partner,” she said, adding that BestCompaniesAZ was integral to AZ Magazine’s Top 25 Workplaces for Women program. “Our two companies strongly believe that by indentifying the companies that strengthen our local economies, we will be an integral force in promoting Arizona as a leading state in top jobs.”

In addition to partnering with BestCompaniesAZ, the program’s research and survey partner is Best Companies Group (BCG), a national research firm that specializes in identifying great places to work. Using state-of-the-art surveys and technology, BCG conducts programs on national, statewide, regional and industry stages.

Economic impact

As the competition for employees begins to intensify in 2013 and companies begin to

among Valley businesses for improving workplaces in Arizona • to create a new benchmark for 2014 that will help to raise workplace standards throughout Arizona • to help Arizona attract and retain a talented workforce • to promote Arizona’s best employment opportunities to attract new workers • to provide a learning environment for all Arizona employers to learn from the best ramp up hiring, being named one of the Top Companies will serve as a positive employer branding, recruitment and retention tool, said Denise Gredler, Founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ, LLC. “With award-winning companies becoming part of a movement to make Arizona a first-choice state in which to work, we are positively impacting our local economy and increasing the opportunities for Arizona employers to attract the high-quality talent that businesses need to succeed and to be a competitive force in the local, national and global marketplace,” Gredler said.

General Manager: Cami Kaiser, ckaiser@republicmedia.com; Manager Creative Development: Isaac Moya, imoya@republicmedia.com; Project Editor: Jim Williams, jlwilliams@republicmedia.com; Managing Art Director: Tracey Phalen, tphalen@republicmedia.com; Design: Lisa Quirin, lisa_q@me.com; Intern, NIck Kostenko

4 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Top Companies to Work for in Arizona

Methodology and tools used to identify successful companies Research methodology

Research instruments

How the data was ascertained and compiled

Part I: Best Companies Group Employer Questionnaire

The program’s research partner, Best Companies Group, developed an employer questionnaire as well as an employee engagement and satisfaction survey. These two research instruments provided information that became the basis of the data report as well as for selection as a “Top Company”.

Employers were requested to complete an employer survey that detailed company policies, practices, benefits and demographics.

Part II: Best Companies Group Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey

Employees were asked to respond to an Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey that involved an in-depth set of 76 statements. On each of these statements, employees were asked to respond on a 1–5 Likert scale of “Disagree Strongly” to “Agree Strongly”. The survey also included two open-ended questions and seven demographic questions.

BY PAULA HUBBS COHEN

Core focus areas

The Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey was broken down into eight core focus areas: 1 Leadership and Planning 2 Culture and Communications 3 Role Satisfaction 4 Work Environment

Best Companies Group developed a proprietary scoring and ranking system as follows: • 75 percent of the evaluation was based on the overall satisfaction scores from the employee surveys • 25 percent of the evaluation was based on the scores obtained from the employer questionnaire

5 Relationship with Supervisor 6 Training and Development 7 Pay and Benefits 8 Overall Engagement

IN ARIZONA

Dignity is: admiration for a job well done.

Dignity Health is proud to be a sponsor and supporter of the “2013 CareerBuilder Top Companies to Work for in Arizona” program. On behalf of our three Arizona facilities—Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center—we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the companies selected this year.

As an organization recognized both locally and nationally as a “Best Place to Work,” we are truly honored to be a part of this prestigious award ceremony. Within each of our Arizona facilities, we foster an environment that rewards teamwork and inclusion, and we offer all employees the same opportunities for development and advancement. And when we see other companies succeeding in similar initiatives, we jump at the chance to express our admiration, celebrate such efforts and offer our support for a healthy future.

Congratulations once again from everyone at Dignity Health!

To learn more about Dignity Health in Arizona, visit us at http://www.dignityhealtharizona.org .

Follow us on Twitter at @dignityhealthaz

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Top Company selection

Thank you to my Fry’s family for your fresh approach to excellent customer service. Each of you makes Fry’s a Top Company to Work for in Arizona – and you are the apple of our eye.

-Jon Flora

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6 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Companies give back

What employees love about their jobs

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oving your job? That might be a strange concept to some workers, but thanks to the policies of Arizona’s Top Companies, it’s a reality for many employees.

‘Unique’ was the first word that came to mind when employees were asked why they love their jobs in the 2013 CareerBuilder Top Companies to Work for in Arizona survey.

Creative thinking

Take The Lavidge Company, a Phoenixbased advertising agency. As a firm that must think creatively on a daily basis, Lavidge has extended its creativity to its employee benefits. For example, special summer hours allow employees to go home at 3 p.m. on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But there’s no need to rush home—Lavidge has an in-house ‘kegerator’ and beer cart for Friday Happy Hour celebrations.

BY NICK KOSTENKO

Bringing a little bit of home into the office is another key to employee happiness in the workplace. Does your pet put on his puppy-dog face when you leave for work in the morning? Not a problem at Orchard Medical Consulting, where employees are encouraged to bring their pets into a workplace that also includes Football Fridays and monthly birthday celebrations.

Other companies, such as Zion & Zion, a marketing and advertising agency, and Verengo Solar, offer game rooms that feature shuffleboard, table tennis and other games. Organizations such as Equity Method, a company that provides equity compensation compliance solutions, and Alliance Financial Resources offer TV and game rooms for employees who need a quick break. Yelp encourages the ultimate form of relaxation by including a nap room in its office.

Off-site play

Many companies also offer opportunities for fun experiences outside of the office.

Everybody enjoys a relaxing vacation, especially one that is paid for by an employer.

As a hotel, the Hyatt Regency is in the perfect position to offer its employees as many as 12 free nights per year at any Hyatt location.

At Axosoft, a software developer, employees are treated to a trip to anywhere in the United States after their one-year anniversary. Reach five years at the company, and you can take a trip to any destination in the world.

Vacations aren’t the only way to enjoy time outside of the workplace. Take the Arizona Team, relationship-based marketing and sales company, for example. They offer many entertainment options that can be found in an employee’s own backyard, including MLB, NBA and NFL games, as well as PGA tournaments and the Dave Ramsey Leadership Conference.

Recognizing the importance of twoway communication, many companies offer employees the opportunity to get up-close and personal with senior level management. Vanguard offers Breakfast with Bill, a forum with the company’s CEO, Bill McNabb, while Yodle offers an email alias where company executives will respond to each and every employee inquiry.

Every company has something that makes them unique. Whether it’s the adoption assistance programs at financial services firms Charles Schwab and Edward Jones, or the health and wellness programs offered at Credit Union West and Lovitt & Touché, which is one of the largest insurance agencies in the country, all of CareerBuilder’s Top Companies offer a plethora of possibilities that make employees feel special.

Emily Piraino

Hyatt Regency Phoenix T

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1976 # of Employees in Arizona: 287 Thomas Delaney, General Manager www.phoenix.hyatt.com 122 N. 2nd St. • Phoenix (602) 252-1234 AR-0008023595-01

he Hyatt Regency Phoenix’s mission is to provide authentic hospitality not only to their guests but to their associates as well.

“Our company goal is to be the employer of choice,” says Angela Haning, Director of Human Resources. “We know we cannot be a successful hospitality company without our people.”

Associates are treated with respect the moment they walk in the building because their associate entrance mirrors the main lobby. Associates are provided with free uniforms, which are laundered free of charge. An associate lounge offers two computer

terminals and free daily meals, allowing associate to recharge and refresh.

Full-time associates receive a dozen complimentary hotel nights per year, part-time associates receive six complimentary nights per year and all associates are eligible for an unlimited number of stays at the employee rate. Other perks include the annual awards banquet, fall family picnic, general meetings and holiday parties and, when available, event tickets.

“We pride ourselves on our people and culture of engagement,” Haning says.

IN ARIZONA

Hyatt employees can receive up to 12 nights of complimentary hotel stays per year.

SPOTLIGHT AWARD COMPANY: 25-99 U.S. EMPLOYEES

Hamid Shojaee

Axosoft

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Work doesn’t have to be ‘work’

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f developing software doesn’t sound appealing, then you haven’t heard about Axosoft.

The Scottsdale-based company rewards team members with trips, spontaneous gifts, the occasional Nerf-gun battle and—to the winner of the rock, paper, scissors game at the annual holiday party—keys to a company car for a year.

“We encourage fun!” says Jessica Perkins, an Axosoft team member. “We are definitely not your traditionally run company. While we have a lot of fun, we take what we do very seriously and make sure we hire the best employees to keep us the No. 1-selling Scrum software in the world.”

Founded in 2002 by Hamid Shojaee, Axosoft develops what’s known as “Scrum” software, which is used for project management. The company boasts competitive salaries and a matching retirement plan. Medical and dental insurances, subsidized mostly by the company, are also offered. Perkins says team members work on the latest equipment in well-designed team rooms, receive free subscriptions to audible.com and are encouraged to attend

BY GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL

at least one training seminar or conference a year to stay on top of technologies.

“This year, we brought TED (the worldrenowned conferences) to our offices when they offered TEDLive, which was a live streaming of their week-long conference,” she says. “We provided meals and activities such as yoga, cross-fit and a “What If” room where people picked a question out of a hat and had to answer it. It was awesome and an experience everyone should be so lucky to have.”

Team members also enjoy a kitchen loaded with snacks and beverages, as well as a gym and showers located right in the office space.

Then there’s the game room, with an Xbox and Wii, and a Zen room, with a full-body massage chair. Paintball outings, happy hours, family picnics and teambuilding events also keep spirits bright. What’s more, after one year of employment, a team member receives a trip for two to anywhere in the United States. After five years, the trip is for anywhere in the world.

“This encourages employees to experience something different,” Perkins says.

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8 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Trending now

Being recognized for company culture has become a priority BY MARY VANDEVEIRE

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hey may seem like frills, but over-the-top workplace perks can actually make money for a business.

A vibrant workplace culture creates positive employee emotions, strengthens employee ties to the company and their ability to connect customers, and dollars, to the business.

“Research in the United States has demonstrated a positive correlation between progressive people-practices and increased financial performance,” says Gredler, BestCompaniesAZ president and CEO. According to Great Place to Work Institute and Burson-Martellar, a global research firm, 95 percent of business leaders believe that investing in company culture Investing in people positively impacts the bottom line. Their BestCompaniesAZ, founded by Denise Gredler, studies indicate that 30 years of research, has studied this strong tie between investing in more than 40 countries around the world, in a high-trust workplace culture and distinct, has shown that investing in a high-trust tangible business growth and benefits. workplace culture yields distinct, tangible Substantial efforts, such as setting up a business benefits. companywide mentoring program, as well Investing in the workplace also attracts top as simple gestures, like a pizza party, have job candidates. Potential employees check a payoff, Gredler tells her clients. out the company’s staff morale, benefits

Mark Lipczynski

George Brazil Home Services G eorge Brazil Home Services got its start back in 1955, when a local plumber named George Brazil decided to open his own business. Over the years, Brazil grew his business to offer more than just plumbing; along the way he added in air conditioning, heating, and electrical services for his customers. George Brazil is now well-known throughout the area as a one-stop-shop home services company; as their motto states, “One call does it all!”

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1955 # of Employees in Arizona: 105

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The team at George Brazil prides itself on offering its customers great prices and quality services that are done right the first time, or it’s free. The company holds itself to a high ethical standard and features a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee. The company is proud to be a household name in the Valley and to stand behind its services.

www.GeorgeBrazilService.com 3830 S. 38th St. • Phoenix • (602) 257-9000

IN ARIZONA

Invest in Your Company Pre-register for the 2014 Career Builder Top Companies to Work For in Arizona program.

Visit TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com. packages and the company’s overall corporate culture, Gredler says.

“Companies that excel in these areas not only attract the best workers, they also boost their bottom line and save time and money by increasing employee retention rates,” Gredler says.

• Casa Grande Regional Medical Center offers wellness programs, including birthing classes.

• Vanguard provides up to $13,360 in assistance for adoption expenses of employees adopting a child under 18.

• WebPT has a casual dress code Meeting needs (flip-flops are fine) and offers “Culture How do successful companies do this?

Club” opportunities.

Arizona employers are making workplace • Benefits at Yelp are 100 percent paid by culture a priority by covering all the bases.

Yelp (employee-only level), and the Yelp Dedicated and sustained employee efforts and office has a nap room. achievements are recognized and rewarded • Yodle will reimburse up to $2,000 per on a regular basis, but, also, employees can year for employees’ training, growth and play and have fun while on the job, and their education (such as certifications and personal and family needs are addressed. seminars).

The 2013 CareerBuilder Top Companies Of course, what goes around comes to Work for in Arizona survey found Arizona around. For example, in 2012, Top Companies employers are throwing a lot of new ideas honoree Ryan LLC won 75 awards, including into the employee benefits and rewards mix. global certifications for customer service Following are several highlights: excellence and workplace flexibility, and was • Valley Sleep Center employees are treated named a Top 100 Tax and Accounting Firm by to unique in-office festivities such as Accounting Today magazine. pajama parties.

“Customers, prospective employees and • GoDaddy.com employee incentives include the community hold top workplaces in high Costco shopping sprees, massages, boat esteem,” Gredler says. rides and Segway tours.

The CareerBuilder Top Companies survey • Hyatt Regency Phoenix employees receive celebrates Arizona businesses and offers a free continental breakfast and hot lunch seven days a week. surprising insight into creating dynamic • Lovitt & Touché, Inc. wellness perks include employee environments. yoga, an onsite health coach, organized walks, massages and “body tuneups”.

Thank you to our loyal Phoenix employees and dedicated partners for helping us become the company we’re proud to be today.

www.ConsumerCellular.com

10 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

6 ways to raise the bar

Successful business leaders are investing in their company’s culture

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he benefits of a people-oriented workplace are clear, but how does the average company make the transformation from good to great to best? Regardless of where you are on this journey, you can help take your company to the next level by investing in your company culture and building a solid foundation. Here are six keys to help raise the bar:

1. Invest in company culture

According to research conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute, 95 percent of leaders at Fortune’s Best Companies to Work for in America believe that that being recognized for workplace initiatives is a priority because it positively impacts the bottom line. So the first step and most critical step to advancing to the next level is getting the company’s leadership team to become a believer of this philosophy and

seeing the ROI associated with investing in company culture.

2. Define your corporate culture

A strong company culture is driven from the top.

CEOs should work with employees to establish a clear set of corporate values and a shared vision. Doing so creates a positive corporate culture that drives the direction of your company and creates a feeling of ownership among employees. And remember, as leaders in the company, you must practice what you preach and live and breathe your company values.

3. Develop dynamic leaders

Jim Collins, bestselling author of “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t,” believes companies should have the right leaders driving the bus, as well as having the right employees riding on the bus. He says great leaders

BY DENISE GREDLER

train, motivate, empower and care for their employees, which leads to high levels of employee trust, increased productivity, employee satisfaction and overall financial performance. Leaders must be held accountable for embracing and supporting your company’s core values and they need to hold their staff accountable.

4. Provide competitive HR programs

Progressive human resource programs and comprehensive benefits packages attract and retain employees and assist them in achieving their professional and personal goals. It’s important that your company’s core values are linked to hiring, training, performance management and compensation programs in order to foster the desired culture. Make sure to stay abreast of HR trends and the demographics of a changing workforce by offering opportunities for

unique benefits, continuing education and flexible work environments.

5. Communicate openly and often

Fostering frequent two-way communication between management and support staff is the sign of a great company. This builds trust keeps everyone connected and moving in the same direction, striving toward the same goals.

6. Support community involvement

Give back to the community and offer employees time off for volunteer work or to sponsor charitable events. It’s a great way to share your company’s success.

Today, businesses can’t rest on past success in a changing business climate. The tips above not only can help keep your company competitive, but take it to the next level.

Denise Gredler is founder/CEO of BestCompaniesAZ with more than 20 years of human resource and culture development experience.

Verengo Solar

Emily Piraino

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Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 2008 # of Employees in Arizona: 166 Randy Bishop, CEO and Ken Button, President www.verengosolar.com 4811 E. Thistle Landing Drive, Suite 100 • Phoenix (480) 800-4364

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ince the day it was founded in 2008

by CEO Randy Bishop and President Ken Button, Verengo Solar has had a definite impact on the way people think about solar power. The company specializes in marketing, selling and installing photovoltaic systems, which allow homeowners to save money on their electricity bills while using an environmentally-friendly and renewable source of energy.

Verengo is now ranked number one on the Solar Power World list of Top Residential Solar Contractors in the United States, and it was also was named by The

Green Job Bank as one of the Top 10 Green Employers of 2012. The company has grown over 700 percent in the past four years and now employs over 1,000 people.

“We are definitely in an expansion mode,” Bishop said.

“We have a values-driven, customer-centric corporate culture with programs that make for happy, loyal customers and employees. We prefer to promote from within, making this a great ground floor opportunity for go-getters who are passionate about the green energy field and want to work for a leader in residential solar.”

IN ARIZONA

Hosts quarterly “solarbrations” that celebrate employees hard work with games, dinners and raffle prizes.

SPOTLIGHT AWARD COMPANY: 100-999 U.S. EMPLOYEES

People

(From left) Tom Osselaer, Pat Lamb, Chris Mozilo, Caroline Hetyei, Bob Kennedy and Bill Rogers.

Homeowners Financial Group It’s good to be a ‘Homie’

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veryone wants a workplace where they’re surrounded by friends—or “homies,” to use common slang.

The team members at Homeowners Financial Group are fortunate enough to be in that situation, as every one of them is a Homie. That is, after all, the award-winning mortgage firm’s affectionate term for a team member.

“Everyone holds a sense of pride being a Homie,” says Caroline Hetyei, director of corporate culture, who notes there are presently 142 full-time and 10 part-time team members. “HFG is really just like a big family.

I know it’s cliché, but we really are.”

Founded in 2004 and with corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, HFG has locations throughout Arizona and one office in Los Angeles. In spite of the rapid growth that has doubled the firm’s size over the last year, Hetyei says the company’s “incomparable” culture has remained steadfast. HFG offers health, dental, disability and life insurance as well as a vision discount and a 401(k) plan.

Flexible work schedules and work-from-home options are available and there’s an open-door management policy.

Heartfelt thanks to our incredible staff and members who help us grow and thrive. Together we are making the credit union difference a reality.

BY GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL

As for the fun stuff, Hetyei says HFG practices Casual Fridays, distributes gift card rewards and hosts company breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as events like monthly charity happy hours, outings to Spring Training games and a corporate tent at the PGA’s Waste Management Open.

In addition, there’s a plethora of annual company gatherings including a picnic, holiday party, softball tournament and employee awards ceremony, not to mention the President’s Club award, which is given to sales and operations staff who have hit specific goals or exuded outstanding teamwork and customer service.

“This year, we went to Maui,” says Hetyei, who planned and attended the trip.

HFG also provides Homies with opportunities to give back to the community and volunteer during work hours. The company also recently launched its own foundation, the Homeowners Financial Care Fund, which helps families with children in the hospital experiencing extended illness with their mortgage or rental payment.

“We’re all about homeownership, family and giving back,” she says.

Passion As a caring community partner, our employees truly exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy. Each year they choose local charities to support by participating in our casual day fundraising program. Through last year’s efforts they donated more than $20,000.

Commitment We are dedicated to the security of our members and the well-being of our staff. Our excellent employee benefits and family atmosphere provide an environment where everyone is valued.

602.631.3200 11 locations in Maricopa and Yavapai counties www.cuwest.org

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12 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Trending Now Stress release

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BY MARY VANDEVEIRE

ll work and no play just isn’t possible at any of the CareerBuilder Top Companies to Work for in Arizona.

Stress-relieving and fun activities are popping up in the workplace as a way to increase employee engagement and improve productivity.

Benefits include creating a positive company image, enhancing employee connections with customers and promoting collaboration among employees.

Research by Gallup shows that employees who have a best friend at work are more likely to be engaged in their jobs, are better at engaging customers and produce higher quality work. Injecting just a little bit of camaraderie can make the workplace more productive, according to Gallup.

Indeed, CareerBuilder Top Companies are getting into the game and upping the fun level in their workplaces.

For example, The American Express employee break room and activity center has relaxation classes, video games, air hockey and foosball. Employees can get massages at their desks and enjoy themed celebrations, such as Super Bowl potlucks, pumpkin carving contests, chili cook-offs, flash mobs,

an onsite carnival with dunk tanks and games, and open house events that include family members.

Alliance Financial Resources, a mortgage bank, has a room called the FUN Room, with a pool table, arcade games, big-screen TV and a roomy couch. Other perks include a “one-ofa-kind” holiday party, organized walks around the building and free chair massages. The company hosts an annual charitable softball tournament with other local mortgage bankers participating and this year raised about $4,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Appointment-scheduling software company Appointment-Plus has regularly scheduled basketball games at a nearby park, monthly “after 5” bowling get-togethers, bi-annual company picnics and Office DJ, which lets employees take turns selecting music to play in the main lobby, meeting space and individual offices.

Software company Axosoft LLC has a gaming area.

Equity Methods LLC, which offers equity compensation compliance solutions, has XBox and a large-screen TV for employees. ethology digital marketing agency lets employees play with Nerf-guns and other gaming toys to encourage employee interaction.

Employees who can gather with co-workers on a break and watch TV or play ping pong tend to interact more, says Marcia Rhodes, public relations manager for human resources association WorldatWork. Rhodes notes the activities help lower absenteeism and turnover.

“If work is a fun place to go, you want to keep going there,” Rhodes says. “It’s a retention and motivation tool. Employees feel supported.”

Answer-1 Communications

Emily Piraino

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Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1982 # of Employees in Arizona: 59 Mary Jones, President www.Answer1.com 3820 N. 3rd St. • Phoenix (602) 234-0111 or (800) 408-3408

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nswer-1 Communications offers a full line of message center services, including remote receptionists, appointment scheduling, email monitoring, help desk and Level 1 support. The company is owned by Mary and Kyle Jones, who purchased a small answering service in 1982 called Abbey’s Answering Service. In 1993, they changed the name to Answer-1 Communications to better reflect the many services they offer. Over the years, the company has grown in both size and the types of clients that they serve.

Mary said she and Kyle are proud of the fact that their company has won the Associated Telemessaging Services International Award of Excellence and Distinction for the last nine years. In 2009,

the company was awarded the Arizona State University W.P. Carey Spirit of Enterprise Award in Innovation for being able to adapt and adjust to the changing needs in telecommunications.

Although answering services have an old-fashioned reputation, Mary said their company’s technology as well as their dedicated management and operations team has helped their company succeed.

“We’re much more sophisticated and offer leading edge technologies to adapt to the changing business world, but even though we have all of that technology behind us, we’re still all about creating a ‘wow’ experience for our customers and their callers,” Mary said.

IN ARIZONA

This company has an open door culture and offers many team based incentives.

SPOTLIGHT AWARD COMPANY: 1,000 OR MORE U.S. EMPLOYEES

Our employees love what they do. And we love what they do for our residents.

Jon Flora

Fry’s Food Stores Empowering employees

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on Flora has seen—and done—it all during his impressive 43-year run in the grocery industry.

And although he’s come a long way from his first supermarket job at age 15, which was separating returnable glass bottles for vendors in Garden City, Kansas, the president of Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona has never forgotten those early days of his career.

He remembers what it felt like to be an eager but shy job applicant and how he quickly understood the importance of finding managers who could treat employees with respect. Those integral early lessons, and the fact that he’s done just about every job in the business, have helped the down-to-earth Flora become the effective and trusted leader he is today.

Whether the job was stocking shelves, cashiering or performing upper-management tasks, “I just always wanted to make sure I could always say, ‘I did it,’” he says simply. ”People, I think, will respect you for that.”

And while many years are consumed with “growing yourself,” he says, good leaders soon realize they need to focus on others.

BY GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL

“Now, I spend the majority of my time trying to make other people successful,” he says, adding that Fry’s diversity-driven programs and “successor planning”— identifying up-and-coming employees who will be tomorrow’s leaders—assist him in doing just that.

That means Flora isn’t often found in an office, but mingling with the 18,000 Fry’s employees as well as customers. And he’s a big believer of incorporating fun into work.

During the corporate office’s In Touch Days, for example, executives try their hand at a grocery store job they’ve never performed or haven’t done in awhile. For the last couple of years, Flora has worked a cash register, a task at which he’s “awful,” he admits. But he loves that everyone, perhaps no one more than himself, gets a kick out of his inability to operate a conveyor belt or remember produce codes.

“Last year,” he confesses, “they wrote me up for my accuracy and speed.”

We’ve collected a lot of awards for our employee training and development program. Training magazine’s Top 125, Chief Learning Officer’s LearningElite and “Best Small Company for Learning,” and a Learning! 100 Award. But the recognition that means the most to us is that IN ARIZONA

more than 95% of our residents in Scottsdale who

responded in a recent survey said they would recommend Vi to a friend.* We believe it takes extraordinary employees to provide extraordinary senior living, and we have them in droves. That’s why Vi at Grayhawk and Vi at Silverstone are two exceptional places to work, learn and grow.

Learn more at ViLiving.com/Company/Careers. *When asked in the 2012 Vi Resident Satisfaction Survey, 95.3% of Vi at Grayhawk residents who responded and 97.1% of Vi at Silverstone residents who responded said they would recommend Vi to a friend.

14 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Trending Now Work-life Balance

BY MARY VANDEVEIRE

C

reating work-life balance for employees supports their professional success, which, in turn, benefits companies.

“It gives employees more control and autonomy,” says Marcia Rhodes, public relations manager for human resources association WorldatWork. “Because they’re empowered, they feel trusted, are more loyal, and more willing to go the extra mile.”

CareerBuilder Top Companies help put things in balance with flexible schedules, the ability to work remotely, paid time off and wellness and community activities.

For example, Stardust Non-Profit Building Services gives employees their birthdays off with pay.

Answer 1 Communications, which provides answering and remote receptionist services, is open 24/7, so flexible hours are available. The company also provides opportunities to work split shifts and to work remotely.

Top Companies honoree The Lavidge Company credits work-life balance as one of the driving factors for the company’s achievements. The agency’s mantra is “Be Creative. Work Smart. Have Fun.” Says CEO Bill Lavidge, “This philosophy not only makes for a great work environment, it’s also helped us grow from a small, local shop into one of the Southwest’s largest full-service marketing, PR and interactive agencies serving prominent local and national brands.”

Casa Grande Regional Medical Center offers “extreme flexibility” in employee work schedules. Choices include flex hours, job sharing, leaves of absence, extra time off, paid time off sharing and phased retirement.

Ryan LLC offers flexible hours that have enabled employees to work on their professional certifications. The company’s “reduced scope” allows employees to revise their job responsibilities and spend time at

home to care for children. Ryan employees who are new parents have used the program as they return to work after the 12-week parental leave period. Non-exempt employees start their employment with 22 days paid time off and 10 paid holidays.

Healthways offers colleague appreciation events throughout the year, ‘biggest loser’ and walking challenges, onsite yoga and Pilates classes, and personal finance courses. Healthways senior human resources business partner Sandra Vincent says the company focuses on five areas in providing employee benefits: career, physical, financial, community and social.

Dignity Health D

Where: Headquartered in San Francisco Year Established in Arizona: 1895 # of Employees in Arizona: 8,300+ Linda Hunt, CEO Arizona Service Area www.dignityhealtharizona.org 350 W. Thomas Rd. • Phoenix

(602) 406-3000 AR-0008027287-01

ignity Health is a 17-state network of nearly 10,000 physicians and 56,000 employees who provide patient-centered care at more than 300 care centers, including hospitals, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics.

Headquartered in San Francisco, it is one of the five largest health care systems in the United States.

In its Arizona service area, Dignity Health is anchored by three acute care hospitals: Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center,

“The return on the investment is something you can see in the presenteeism of the colleague,” Vincent says. “It’s not only one facet. It’s the entire, holistic view of the person.”

which is home to the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute. A fourth hospital, St. Joseph’s Westgate Medical Center, is currently under construction in Glendale.

Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and under served.

The organization takes great pride in the excellent care provided by its hospitals through teamwork and innovation, faith and compassion, advocacy and action.

CareerBuilder | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | 15

Trending Now Family-friendly

BY MARY VANDEVEIRE

A

supportive workplace culture helps employees blend their work and family priorities.

In the CareerBuilder Top Companies survey, family-friendly strategies include extending employee benefits, such as educational assistance, to the entire household, and welcoming family members, even the four-legged kind, to the office.

Employers gain when family needs are recognized, says Marcia Rhodes, public relations manager for Scottsdale-based human resources association WorldatWork.

For example, veterinary care coverage for pets or financial assistance with child day care keeps things at home running smoothly.

“It can take away a layer of stress from the employee and make them more focused,” Rhodes says. “They’re less distracted and more productive. It’s a win-win.”

In the CareerBuilder Top Companies survey, family-friendly practices acknowledge the various situations of employees and their families.

For example, Healthways, a company that helps its customers create healthy changes and lower healthcare costs, pays for gym memberships for Healthways employees and their families.

Edward Jones supports associates facing personal or professional difficulties.

This includes assistance in a natural disaster, paid leave or medical exceptions, cards and emails, or dozens of associates supporting a grieving co-worker by attending a funeral.

Fry’s Food Stores includes family members in recreational and team-building activities, such as a dodgeball contest, family days at amusement parks, a talent contest and volunteer opportunities.

The office of Orchard Medical Consulting, a nurse-owned workplace injury case management company, is pet-friendly.

The Lavidge Company, a full-service advertising, public relations, consulting and marketing communications agency, acknowledges family commitments. Children and pets are welcome in the office, and employees are offered flex-time and part-time schedules as well as special summer hours when kids are out of school. Additionally,

the agency encourages wellness and life balance with a generous vacation policy, especially for long-term employees.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers free tuition for employees, spouses, domestic partners and children, as well as a four-day summer work week.

Employers are expanding support for family well-being, Rhodes says.

“I’m seeing a lot of employers offering financial coaching for spouses or inviting them to participate in wellness activities or health plan enrollment sessions,” Rhodes says. “It’s not just about the annual picnic or fluffy stuff, but also the really important stuff.”

Deborah

outsmart nature I................................................ for a living.

Team Leader

Making the right decisions means doing right by our customers. When Cardmembers needed help getting out of harm’s way as a hurricane struck, American Express empowered my team to deliver communications for loved ones and increased credit limits. Now that’s delivering extraordinary service.

WORLD SERVICE

let’s connect

Bring your passion for delivering world-class service to American Express. Visit us at: careers.americanexpress.com/worldservice We are an equal opportunity employer.

IN ARIZONA

La-Z-Boy of Arizona Offering Customers the Emily Piraino

“Greatest Retail Show on Earth!”

La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries of Arizona n April 28, 1983, the first O La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries of Arizona opened for business. It

was a small store, with just a few salespeople, said Kathy Till, Vice President of Human Resources and Personnel Development.

Fast forward three decades, there are now 10 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries throughout the state that employ over 200 employees. Although the company has grown tremendously over the years, Till said some things have not changed at all, including the way the company feels like a small, family-run business.

“It’s a very interesting thing about our organization, the way we have the best of both worlds. We are a dealer for La-Z-Boy and have that billion dollar brand and recognition, but we also have the feel of a family.”

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This friendly and familial atmosphere extends to each and every customer who comes into a La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Till said. The company’s values are “CKS,” which stands for “Caring-Knowledge-Service.”

“These values are directly related to both internal and external customer service,” Till noted, adding that shoppers are often surprised to learn La-Z-Boy sells much more than the comfortable and high-quality recliners that have made them famous.

“We developed an In-Home Design Program, where we have an Accredited Interior Designer on-staff in our stores who will go to our customers’ homes and help them create the room of their dreams,” Till said. “By caring about our customers

so much, we are able to create these types of programs.”

The In-Home Design Program has been so successful, Till said they have trained over 60% of the La-Z-Boy dealers throughout the United States and Canada to do the same thing.

One project Till said La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries of Arizona has been working on diligently for three years focuses on the goal of becoming “The Greatest Retail Show on Earth.” Through a combination of circus-themed decorations like a big red and white tent in the corporate office, they strive to improve their processes and identify areas for improvement by engaging all their employees, Till said the company hopes to provide the most exceptional experiences for their customers.

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1983 # of Employees in Arizona: 200+ Ed Breunig, III Owner/CEO www.la-z-boy.com/arizona 4135 E. Cotton Center Blvd. • Phoenix (602) 426-5292

SPOTLIGHT AWARD COMPANY: DIVERSITY INITIATIVES

UNIQUE

INCREDIBLE Giving workplace flexibility team back to local program COMMUNITIES environment

Celebrating diversity at Hyatt Regency Phoenix.

Hyatt Regency Phoenix

Taking pride in meaningful employment

BY GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL

S

hannon Damazio works to ensure that the culture of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix is a diverse and inclusionary one.

“Diversity is the mix and inclusion is making the mix work,” says Damazio, recruitment manager for the downtown Phoenix landmark, which was recognized as an Employer in Support of the Guard and Reserve by the Arizona Committee for ESGR and a Mature Worker Friendly Employer by the Office of the Arizona Governor.

To ensure the hotel is recruiting individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, Damazio partners with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and federally funded programs. Last year she attended a dozen recruitment events and hosted a “Recruiter Summit” this spring.

She also partners with organizations like the Department of Economic Security, U.S. Veteran’s Initiative and House of Hope to lead workshops in an effort to assist job seekers in finding meaningful employment.

The hotel even offered a summer job program last summer for low-income high school students and hosted 15 Valley eighth-graders who shadowed the culinary team for a day.

“We want to reach out and communicate all the opportunities that are here,” Damazio says.

In addition, Hyatt Regency Phoenix ensures all wages and other benefits are competitive by conducting wage and benefit analyses biannually. The hotel also strives to create an inclusive work environment where associates are encouraged to reach their full potential. To foster a culture of collaboration and an atmosphere of trust, the hotel hosts Hyatt Talks, which are an open forum for employees to freely discuss their opinions and share their perspectives with hotel leadership. With 22 promotions in 2012 alone, the hotel is proud of a culture of promotion from within and offers on-the-job training, leadership-development classes and tuition reimbursement for employees.

“With our hotels being as widely diverse as they are, we take pride in each and every one of our employees,” Damazio says.

Top companies in diversity programs

Alliance Financial Resources Answer 1 Communications Arizona Team Credit Union West Fry’s Food Stores

George Brazil Healthways Hyatt Regency Phoenix Vi WebPT

A very special thanks to all our Arizona employees for voting Ryan one of the Top Companies to Work For.

Our employees have great things to say about Ryan.

And the feeling is mutual.

At Ryan, we’re committed to the growth of our employees and the communities where they live. Our award-winning myRyan work environment is recognized internationally for giving employees the freedom and flexibility to achieve the highest level of success and productivity in all areas of their professional and personal lives. Our corporate training programs and commitment to employee development have earned the prestigious American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) BEST Award. And our community outreach efforts have raised millions of dollars since 2005.

At Ryan, your talent is encouraged, your abilities are challenged, and your expertise is rewarded. And based on the survey comments above, our employees agree.

Learn more about exciting career opportunities with Ryan at ryan.com/careers.

www.ryan.com | 1.855.RYAN.TAX © 2013 Ryan, LLC. All rights reserved.

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V A N G U A R D C A R E E R S . Stay. Inspired.

At Vanguard

I stay motivated.

Discover a unique company that invites you to join - and inspires you to stay.

Recruits take a multi-faceted approach to job search BY GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL

D

ue to ever-changing technology, today’s job seekers are rewriting the rules of job recruiting.

That’s one of the top findings in a recent study by CareerBuilder, the online employment website. After all, back in the day, many a job seeker would apply for a position after only viewing a brief classified ad or hearing wordof-mouth about a post. Today, however, job candidates are like other technologically savvy consumers: they carefully research potential employers and open positions online first before even deciding whether or not to make contact.

“ Companies have to keep putting their best foot

Uniquely AZ

forward, otherwise

Vanguard humbly thanks our Scottsdale, AZ Crew members for voting Vanguard as a 2013 “CareerBuilder Top Company to Work for In Arizona.” Vanguard is a unique place to work that attracts unique people, our Scottsdale Crew members make Vanguard what it is today. Professional growth is viewed as a lifelong endeavor, an outlook that aligns with our long-term approach to investing.

candidates and employees

Crew members in Scottsdale enjoy an array of on-site amenities including a fitness center, dining facilities, gift shops, discount programs, Vanguard University®, and volunteer initiatives that support our community and foster teamwork.

Join us as a Client Relationship Specialist, helping Vanguard shareholders reach important financial goals while learning to build solid business relationships, provide sound investment guidance, and develop your client management skills. In our Retail Investor Group, you will learn Vanguard’s unique approach to investing, have the opportunity for long term career growth, while exploring diverse areas such as Retail Client Account Services, Retail Services, Business Development, and even our high net worth Flagship unit.

We’ve created an organization that’s built to last, and we invite you to join us.

Connect with Vanguard® Vanguard is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Changing the rules

www.vanguard.com/careers

will look elsewhere.”

— Heather Kivatinos, Republic Media recruitment sales manager This comes as no surprise to Heather Kivatinos, recruitment sales manager for Republic Media, the Phoenix-based media company that counts among its products The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

“People are doing their due diligence now when it comes to looking for employment,” she says.

Job shopping

In fact, the Candidate Behavior report from 2012 — which surveyed more than 1,000 full-time employees from the United States and Canada — states that job candidates “consult nearly 15 resources per job search.”

As a result, the report concludes that since

candidates act like consumers, employers must act like marketers.

That’s more important now than ever, Kivatinos says, as the economy is beginning to turn around and would-be candidates are starting to look for new opportunities.

Companies not only need to have a strong online presence, but they also need to be able to “tell their story” online, as well as through various platforms, and engage with both current and potential employees.

“Companies have to keep putting their best foot forward, otherwise candidates and employees will look elsewhere,” she says.

Which brings up another big finding in the CareerBuilder study: That job candidates nowadays have an “always on” mentality and are always looking for their next job, even if they’ve just landed one. Seventy-four percent of the survey’s candidates said they were actively looking for new employment “or open to new opportunities”, while 36 percent said they begin preparing for their next job within weeks of starting a new one.

Job hopping

The report also notes that Millennials, the group also known as Generation Y, partake in “job hopping,” and that while that practice was once frowned upon, it has become the norm.

All those observations mean, Kivatinos notes, that companies wishing to attract and retain the best of the best need to stay sharp at all times. For example, an easy-to-use online job application process is key because smart and selective candidates may move on if merely applying for a job is too cumbersome.

On that note, she adds, job candidates should follow much the same advice as employers are given. They, too, should tell their story, but on a short, neatly formatted resume with bulleted points and, if desired, through an accurate and well-monitored online presence or public profile.

SPOTLIGHT AWARD COMPANY: WOMENS’ INITIATIVES

ers

r, nning s es. ong Lisa Daniels be able rough h

eir s and ays. n the es ity and ven if ercent ere or open t said within

KPMG

Accounting firm ‘connects’ with women Tax firm ‘connects’ with women

BY GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL

T

he international audit, tax and advisory lessons, financial financial planning seminars and even firm firm KPMG is a champion when it comes to a visit from a wardrobe consultant are a few women’s initiatives and retaining women in its examples of KNOW opportunities in which workforce, thanks to its ability to listen to its female employees have participated. employees and understand their needs.

KPMG’s additional perks are designed to be Lisa Daniels, managing partner for the attractive to all employees, male or female.

160-member-strong Arizona practice, says They include shared leave, flexible flexible work the firm firm has long been committed to diversity, schedules that Daniels says are ‘not a oneintegrity and professionalism as well as being size-fits-all’ size-fits-all’ approach and a backup adult elder an employer of choice, but there was a time care and childcare program at an approved several years ago when it was not retaining care provider. In addition, there’s a sabbatical female employees — who represent nearly program and a personal time-off allowance the half the firm’s of five firm’s hires each year. That’s when five weeks, which she says can be used ake KPMG launched KNOW, the KPMG Network “when you need it.” Then there’s the Summer actice of Women, and the turnaround has been Jump Start program, which means offices offices nothing short of impressive. close at 3 p.m. on Fridays from Memorial Day “What we’ve seen in the past five weekend through the end of August. five or six os years is the retention rate for women has “Public accounting historically gets a bad t and gone way up,” Daniels says. “There’s a feeling rap, because of the hours, for people who sharp of being ‘connected’ to something bigger.” want to start a family,” Daniels says. “But e online Through KNOW, female employees are there’s so much flexibility flexibility that it really is a mart able to enhance their education and further great job for working moms.” moms.” f develop their skills, become involved in social ome. activities and networking Top companies in women’s initiatives es groups — “one of the things we found is women American Express KPMG LLP Answer 1 Orchard Medical tell weren’t doing that in the Communications Consulting tted workplace,” Daniels says — Arizona Team Ryan LLC ired, and participate in philanthropic Consumer Cellular, Inc The Lavidge Company d events. Education-oriented Hyatt Regency Phoenix Zion & Zion roundtable discussions, golf

Hold more than a meeting. Deliver an experience.

Hyatt Regency Phoenix offers a warm welcome to businesses and meeting planners. We invite you to consider us for a future meeting or event. Our premier downtown setting puts you close to entertainment, the arts and pro sporting venues. Our authentic experience includes terrific banquet service, deluxe accommodations, 24/7 fitness center, outdoor pool, business lounge and great places to gather at Networks Bar & Grill, plus Compass Arizona Grill, Arizona’s only revolving restaurant, featuring American cuisine with southwest flair and 360 degree views.

For reservations, call 602 252 1234 or visit phoenix.hyatt.com. Hyatt. You’re More Than Welcome.

®

HYATT REGENCY phoenix 122 North Second Street Phoenix, AZ 85004

HYATT name, design and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2012 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

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IN ARIZONA

Go Daddy registers, renews Angelo Villegas

or transfers more than one

GO Daddy G

o Daddy opened for business in 1997 as a startup registering domain names from a tiny office in Scottsdale. Go Daddy has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and according to a Tier1 Research report, it is now the world’s largest domain name registrar and web hosting provider.

Remembering the company’s humble roots, said Cole Hickman, recruitment marketing manager, helps Go Daddy to remain focused on what has led to its success—being dedicated to helping small business develop their online identity.

From entrepreneurs whose skill set involves baking delicious cookies to business owners who focus on

AR-0008017930-01

domain name every second of every day.

photography or a variety of other talents, Go Daddy will work hard to make sure their customers web presence is exactly what they need. This way, they can focus on what is important— growing their business.

This commitment to their customers, Hickman said, is what sets Go Daddy apart from other companies that offer similar services. It is also a major reason why people love working at Go Daddy.

Go Daddy currently employs more 2,200 customer care consultants.

“We definitely don’t take ourselves too seriously here, but we are very serious and passionate about the support that we provide to our customer,” Hickman said, adding that the team of

consultants possess a lot of technological knowledge, and are ready to work with small business owners any time of the day or night.

“Everyday, I’m excited to come to work because I get to help our customers achieve their dreams and goals. The Go Daddy team is smart, innovative, and dedicated to helping our customers. If you’re willing to go outside of your comfort zone in order to make a difference, then this is the place for you,” said Kim Bean, internet sales and service consultant.

Go Daddy has grown into a widely successful company, but they also understand that they cannot rest on that success. “If you thought our first 15 years were remarkable, just wait,” said Hickman.

Where: Scottsdale Year Established in Arizona: 1997 # of Employees in Arizona: 3,400 Bob Parsons, CEO www.GoDaddy.com 14455 N. Hayden Rd., Ste. 226 • Scottsdale (480) 505-8800

CareerBuilder | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | 21

Top Companies to Work For Honorees TOP COMPANIES HONOREES 25-99 U.S. EMPLOYEES COMPANY: Answer 1 Communications INDUSTRY: Telecommunications EMPLOYEES: 59 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Mary E. Jones, President WEBSITE: answer1.com Managers, agents and supervisors are all encouraged to use an instant messenger service to congratulate each other on great calls, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and promote an overall sense of encouragement and motivation. The company also offers a perfect call bonus, rewarding its employees with a gift certificate when an agent hits 10 perfect call weeks.

COMPANY: Appointment-Plus INDUSTRY: Technology-Software

EMPLOYEES: 58 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Bob La Loggia, CEO WEBSITE: appointment-plus.com Executives at Appointment-Plus know how important their employees’ well-being is.

With that in mind, staff members are allowed a number of perks that help promote a healthy work-life balance. Those who have children, for example, are allowed to attend all school-related activities, no questions asked. Employees also receive a monthly reimbursement for health club membership.

COMPANY: Arizona Team INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing EMPLOYEES: 28 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Matthew Osborne, President WEBSITE: arizona-team.com

The following 50 companies have achieved top rankings in employer practices, engagement and satisfaction in the first annual Career Builder Top Companies to Work for in Arizona program.

As a small business, Arizona Team has the opportunity to focus on each and every one of their employees. They take careful steps to ensure their staff members do not get lost in the crowd and have the opportunity to grow, both professionally and personally. Employees are treated to fun travel opportunities such as trips to Hollywood, Miami, PGA tournaments and various other professional sports games.

COMPANY: Axosoft, LLC INDUSTRY: Technology EMPLOYEES: 26 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Hamid Shojaee, CEO WEBSITE: axosoft.com Commitment is a major theme at Axosoft.

To reward its employees for their service to the company, Axosoft offers a number of anniversary perks. One year at the company means a trip to anywhere in the U.S., while a

fifth anniversary gives employees the chance to travel anywhere in the world. Axosoft also offers the chance to win the company car for a year and has a gaming area in the office.

COMPANY: BestIT INDUSTRY: Technology- Services EMPLOYEES: 48 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Harry Curtin, CEO WEBSITE: bestit.com To encourage involvement in the company, BestIT offers staff members the opportunity to become part of the BestIT band. They also offer the BestIT racing program and opportunities to tour and take laps at the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Chandler.

Andrew

open new doors I............................................... for a living.

Customer Care Professional

It feels like I’m opening the doors to my own business each morning at American Express. I’m trusted to make the right decisions and deliver real solutions to our small business customers. And year after year, I’ve been recognized for my success.

Now that’s taking ownership of your work.

WORLD SERVICE

let’s connect

Bring your passion for delivering world-class service to American Express. Visit us at: careers.americanexpress.com/worldservice We are an equal opportunity employer.

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22 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Top Companies to Work For Honorees TOP COMPANIES HONOREES 25-99 U.S. EMPLOYEES COMPANY: Better Business Bureau, serving Central, Northern & Western Arizona INDUSTRY: Non-Profit—Other—Information Services EMPLOYEES: 52 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Matthew Fehling, President/CEO WEBSITE: arizonabbb.org Paychecks aren’t the only way to earn rewards at the Better Business Bureau. BBB Bucks are distributed by the management team to employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. The BBB Bucks can be redeemed for gift cards and a half-day off once certain increments are reached. To encourage cooperation, employees also have one-on-one meetings with the President/CEO each year.

COMPANY: Equity Methods, LLC INDUSTRY: Accounting EMPLOYEES: 28 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Takis Makridis, President/ CEO WEBSITE: equitymethods.com When workers at Equity Methods need a break, they can relax with a large screen TV and Xbox system. Presentation slides continuously play on the kitchen TV to showcase some of the exceptional engagements and the professionals responsible for the success of the projects.

COMPANY: ethology INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing—Agency Services EMPLOYEES: 65 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Jeffrey Pruitt, CEO

WEBSITE: ethology.com ethology employees play with Nerf-guns and other gaming objects to encourage interaction.

There is also an Employee All Hands Monthly meeting, where staff members learn about each department’s successes and challenges and discuss what’s on the horizon. Individual staff members and department teams are recognized.

COMPANY: Miller/Russell & Associates INDUSTRY: Financial Services—Other— Financial/Investment Advisory EMPLOYEES: 27 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Mark Feldman, CEO WEBSITE: miller-russell.com Employees have the opportunity to recognize each other for their stellar work through the Shining Star Employee Peer Recognition Program. To help promote the team

atmosphere, the company hosts an annual trip to a Spring Training baseball game. They also host “Jeans” days that raise money for charity.

COMPANY: Natural Partners, Inc. INDUSTRY: Other—Wholesaler EMPLOYEES: 80 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Tye Smith, CEO WEBSITE: naturalpartners.com Natural Partners, Inc. likes to keep its employees well-fed and happy. With a welcoming environment that features the NattyP Café, staff members are treated to free breakfast and unlimited beverages.

COMPANY: Orchard Medical Consulting INDUSTRY: Consulting EMPLOYEES: 37 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Robin Orchard, President

Emily Piraino

Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies B

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1997 # of Employees in Arizona: 28 Karen Jayne, Executive Director www.stardustbuilding.org 1720 W. Broadway Road • Mesa (480) 668-0566

y selling reclaimed and gently-used building materials, Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies benefits both the environment and several local community programs. The company, which was founded in 1997, offers free pick-up of materials and deconstruction services, which is a more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional building demolition.

Thanks to the help of donations from homeowners, businesses and the deconstruction service, Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies successfully prevented over 650 tons of usable material from ending up in local landfills during 2012.

As part of its mission to “encourage reuse and repurpose in our community through

innovation, education and partnerships,” the company resells building materials including cabinet sets, doors, windows, light fixtures and more at a deeply discounted price in Stardust’s three Valley retail centers. The newest store at 40th St. and Thunderbird Rd. in Phoenix also features design ideas on how to repurpose items.

The proceeds from the stores’ sales support community programs that distribute essential everyday items including building materials, housewares, clothing, toiletries, and office supplies to local non-profit organizations that serve families and individuals in need.

Stardust’s staff is passionate about what they do, and is committed to the goal of encouraging reuse and repurpose throughout Arizona.

IN ARIZONA

All employees receive their birthday off with full pay.

CareerBuilder | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | 23

WEBSITE: orchardmed.com It’s always ‘bring your pet to work day’ at Orchard Medical Consulting thanks to its pet-friendly environment. There is also a suggestion program where employees have the opportunity to contribute to the company’s success and growth by submitting suggestions for practical work-improvement or cost-saving ideas. Employees who submit suggestions receive special recognition.

COMPANY: Rose Law Group, PC INDUSTRY: Legal EMPLOYEES: 32 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Jordan Rose, President and Founder WEBSITE: roselawgroup.com Employees at the Rose Law Group can stay healthy while on the job thanks to an onsite gym and trainer. The company also provides

a fully stocked breakfast bar and often celebrates great work and winning large cases by holding a happy hour event.

COMPANY: Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies INDUSTRY: Non-Profit—Other— Environmental EMPLOYEES: 28 LOCATION: Mesa TOP EXECUTIVE: Karen Jayne, Executive Director WEBSITE: stardustbuilding.org Many companies offer their board members special vacation deals. Stardust takes it one step further by including its staff members in board retreats. And employees receive a special present on their birthdays: a paid day off.

COMPANY: Telesphere INDUSTRY: Telecommunications EMPLOYEES: 83 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Clark Peterson, CEO WEBSITE: telesphere.com Telesphere offers a number of employee groups, including a Culture Team that meets monthly and features a cross-functional group of employees. Top sales earners as well as top-voted employee of the month candidates have the opportunity of being selected to go to the President’s Club. They also provide interactive health solutions and MeMD, a program that allows staff members to make virtual doctor visits.

COMPANY: The Lavidge Company INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing EMPLOYEES: 64 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Bill Lavidge, CEO WEBSITE: lavidge.com Summer is still special for employees at The Lavidge Company, which has special summer hours where the office closes early on Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The 3 p.m. closing time is perfect for Friday Happy Hour, as The Lavidge Company has an in-house ‘kegerator’. The company has an open-door policy where staff members at all levels can communicate with upper-management.

We’re Honored to Be an Arizona Top Company We are especially proud of this recognition as a Top Company to Work For in Arizona. It reflects our long-term commitment to providing the independence, support and resources our associates desire so they can make a difference for our clients and the communities we serve.

For more information on local career opportunities as a financial advisor, branch office administrator or home-office associate, visit www.careers.edwardjones.com.

Find us on Facebook HMR-7973-A

Connect with us on LinkedIn AR-0008018142-01

24 | TOP 24 COMPANIES 2013 24| |TOP TOPCOMPANIES COMPANIES2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com 2013||CareerBuilder CareerBuilder || TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Top Top Companies Companies to Work For Honorees COMPANY: COMPANY: COMPANY:Valley ValleySleep SleepCenter Center INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY:Healthcare—Provider Healthcare—Provider EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES:34 34 LOCATION: LOCATION: LOCATION:Mesa Mesa TOP TOP TOPEXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE:Lauri LauriLeadley, Leadley,President President WEBSITE: WEBSITE: WEBSITE:valleysleepcenter.com valleysleepcenter.com It’s It’s It’sokay okaytotoget get‘caught’ ‘caught’atatthe theValley ValleySleep Sleep Center.

Center.

Center.IfIfteam teamleaders leaderscatch catchaateam teammember member in ininan an anact actofofexcellence, excellence,they theycan canreward rewardthem them with with withaa‘Caughtcha’ ‘Caughtcha’gift giftcard, card,movie movieticket ticketoror other other otherspecial specialevent. event.The Thecompany companyalso alsohas has birthday birthday birthdaybonuses, bonuses,holiday holidaydecoration decorationand andfood food drive drive drivecompetitions, competitions,and andaapajama pajamaparty. party.

COMPANY: COMPANY: COMPANY:Zion Zion&&Zion Zion INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY:Advertising/Public Advertising/PublicRelations/ Relations/ Marketing—Agency Marketing—Agency Marketing—Agency EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES:31 31 LOCATION: LOCATION: LOCATION:Tempe Tempe TOP TOP TOPEXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE:Aric AricZion, Zion,CEO CEO WEBSITE: zionandzion.com WEBSITE: WEBSITE: zionandzion.com

To Totake take aa breather breather from from the the stresses stresses of of work life, Zion & Zion takes its work life, Zion & Zion takes its employees employees on on aa special special ‘lake ‘lake day’. day’. They They also also have have aa shuffleboard table in the office and shuffleboard table in the office and work work under under aa flat flat management management structure. structure.

TOP TOP COMPANIES COMPANIES HONOREES HONOREES 100-999 100-999 U.S. U.S. EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES COMPANY: COMPANY: Alliance Alliance Financial Financial Resources Resources INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Banking—Residential Banking—Residential Mortgage Mortgage EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES: 180 180 LOCATION: LOCATION: Phoenix Phoenix TOP TOPEXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: Jamie Jamie Korus, Korus, President President WEBSITE: WEBSITE: afrhomeloans.com afrhomeloans.com Alliance Alliance isis all all about about the the community— community— workers workers can can donate donate one one work work (PTO) (PTO) day per year to in community withwith per to volunteer in the community yearyear to volunteer volunteer in the the community the the organization organization of of their their choice. choice. They They also also reimburse reimburse childcare childcare when when staff staff members members are are

are required to travel employees required to travel and and allowallow employees to to dress-up for various themes, such as dress-up for various themes, such as Football Football Fridays.

Fridays.

COMPANY: Casa Grande Grande Regional Regional COMPANY: Casa Medical Center Medical Center INDUSTRY: Healthcare—Provider—Hospital INDUSTRY: Healthcare—Provider—Hospital EMPLOYEES: 717 EMPLOYEES: 717 LOCATION: Casa Grande LOCATION: Casa Grande TOP EXECUTIVE: Rona Curphy, Curphy, TOP EXECUTIVE: Rona President/CEO WEBSITE: casagrandehospital.com casagrandehospital.com In addition to free free classes classes and and aa monthly monthly birthday breakfast breakfast hosted hosted by by senior senior management, Casa Casa Grande Grande Regional Regional management, Medical Center Center isis all all about about flexibility. flexibility.

They flexibility. They offer compressed, compressed, expanded expanded and and seasonal seasonal schedules, as as well well as as flexible flexible hours, hours, job job flexible sharing, leaves leaves of of absence, absence, extra extra time time off, off, PTO PTO sharing and phased phased retirement retirement customized customized to to accommodate a variety of needs. accommodate a variety of needs.

COMPANY:Consumer ConsumerCellular, Cellular,Inc. Inc. COMPANY: INDUSTRY:Telecommunications Telecommunications INDUSTRY: EMPLOYEES:715 715 EMPLOYEES: LOCATION:Phoenix Phoenix LOCATION: TOPEXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE:John John Marick, TOP Marick, CEO, CEO, WEBSITE:consumercellular.com consumercellular.com WEBSITE: Consumer Cellular isphilosophy a top-rated Consumer Cellular’s is wireless founded To ensure diversification in clients’ portfolios, carrier providing no-contract cell on the premise that employees arephones its and financial advisors earn extravagant service plans—primarily to those aged most valuable asset. company offers50+. diversification trips toThe exotic destinations Founded theemployee belief thatbenefit everyone should comprehensive programs across theonglobe.

Families are invited and havehelp affordable tohealthy, the of safety that feeland secure there is noemployees limit toaccess thestay number trips convenience cellular also service, Consumer and maintain work/life balance.

Consumer awarded.

Theaofcompany offers volunteer Cellular also crossed one-million customer Cellular sponsors different employee opportunities andover salesthe contests, including mark this year.

Theyevery operate three contact appreciation events month. an Olympics Challenge. centers, with the largest located in Phoenix.

COMPANY: Credit Union West COMPANY:Financial Credit Union West INDUSTRY: Services—Other INDUSTRY: Financial Services—Other EMPLOYEES: 175 EMPLOYEES: 175 LOCATION: Glendale LOCATION: Glendale

Emily Piraino

Alliance Financial Resources A

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 2006 # of Employees in Arizona: 180 Jamie Korus, President www.afrhomeloans.com 2155 W. Pinnacle Peak Road • Phoenix (602) 867-6000

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lliance Financial Resources began providing loans to consumers for their home purchase or refinance in 2006. The company operates as a Mortgage Banker, which President Jamie Korus said allows them to manage every part of the loan process in-house with their employees.

“This ensures that we have control of the entire transaction so it is a smooth process and well communicated with a timely close of escrow,” she said, adding that Alliance Financial Resources offers a wide variety of financing options including Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and Jumbo.

Through the company’s participation in the Mortgage Bankers Association, Korus said Alliance Financial Resources is able to truly advocate for their customers.

“We are also very proactive in our approach of loan products. We understand that there are many borrowers who do not qualify for financing in today’s world and we are constantly seeking to develop products that our competitors do not have in order to help more people achieve the dream of home ownership.”

Employees are allowed to have one work (PTO) day per year to volunteer in the community.

TOP EX Preside WEBS Credit U employ events. benefit

COMP La-Z B INDUS EMPLO LOCAT TOP EX Preside WEBS Employ its mile perks a employ Hawaii

CareerBuilder | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | 25

TOP EXECUTIVE: Robert MacGregor, President/CEO WEBSITE: cuwest.org Credit Union West promotes healthy employees with ongoing health and wellness events. They also offer a number of perks and benefits, including a fully-paid-for pension plan.

COMPANY: EBCO, Inc. DBA La-Z Boy Furniture Galleries INDUSTRY: Retail EMPLOYEES: 205 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Ed Breunig, President/Owner WEBSITE: la-z-boy.com/Arizona Employee loyalty is rewarded at EBCO with its milestone Award Program. Among the perks are a Rolex watch after 10 years of employment and a paid trip with spouse to Hawaii after 20 years. Every month, the Big

Top Elite Performer award, which features a trophy and $100, is given out to an employee who went above and beyond.

WEBSITE: gannettlocal.com GannettLocal offers a culture club as well as an Adopt-a-Family program.

COMPANY: Edupoint Educational Systems INDUSTRY: Technology EMPLOYEES: 109 LOCATION: Mesa TOP EXECUTIVE: Robert Weathers, CEO WEBSITE: edupoint.com Employees at Edupoint are able to fund a Flexible Spending Account and have a 15 percent total employee contribution for medical benefits.

COMPANY: George Brazil INDUSTRY: Services—Other—Home Services—Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical EMPLOYEES: 105 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Jim Probst, CEO WEBSITE: georgebrazilservice.com George Brazil trusts its employees, and they make it known through their “Employee Empowerment” program that allows staff members to handle customer service needs on the spot. There are also quarterly sales performance rewards, with a flat screen TV going to each top earner on plumbing/ electrical teams.

COMPANY: GannettLocal INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing EMPLOYEES: 220 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Brad Robertson, President

COMPANY: Homeowners Financial Group INDUSTRY: Financial Services—Other— Mortgage Banker EMPLOYEES: 131 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Bill Rogers, CEO WEBSITE: homeownersfg.com Employees can nominate each other throughout the year for a chance to become part of the President’s Club. Members are announced during the group’s annual State of the Union event and receive a plaque and a trip to Maui. Employees also have the option of volunteering in the community during work hours.

26 | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Top Companies to Work For Honorees COMPANY: Integrate INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing EMPLOYEES: 138 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Hart Cunningham, CEO WEBSITE: integrate.com Integrate offers some traditional perks for employees, including gym membership and free food and drinks in the cafeteria. They take it one step further with some of their unique programs, such as the chance to go skydiving.

COMPANY: Lovitt & Touché, Inc. INDUSTRY: Other—Insurance Broker EMPLOYEES: 186 LOCATION: Tempe TOP EXECUTIVE: Charles Touché, CEO WEBSITE: lovitt-touche.com Lovitt & Touché takes pride in the opportunities it provides to improve wellness

and overall health. Among these are weight loss competitions, wellness seminars, yoga, an onsite health coach, organized walks and massages. The C.A.R.E.S. Committee helps provide wellness for others by allowing employees to give back weekly to local charities and receive dress-down Thursdays from doing so.

COMPANY: National Laser Institute INDUSTRY: Other—Health & Beauty EMPLOYEES: 106 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Louis Silberman, CEO WEBSITE: nlionline.com National Laser Institute offers yoga in the workplace as well as plenty of chances to connect to upper-management. The CEO holds a bi-monthly brunch meeting in order to give an update on the latest news and solicit feedback from employees.

COMPANY: Rio Salado College INDUSTRY: Education—Community College EMPLOYEES: 507 LOCATION: Tempe TOP EXECUTIVE: Dr. Chris Bustamante, President WEBSITE: riosalado.edu Along with top-notch wellness activities, Rio Salado demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

The college has a Diversity Advisory Council that includes all levels of employees. The school district also offers a Diversity Infusion Program that has opened the door to programs such as the Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program and the Leadership Development Institute/Lakin Institute.

COMPANY: Verengo Solar INDUSTRY: Other—Renewables & Environment EMPLOYEES: 865

LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Randy Bishop, CEO WEBSITE: verengosolar.com Every quarter, Verengo Solar hosts a ‘Solarbration’ to have fun, recognize employees’ hard work and build team spirit.

They also host monthly ‘download’ sessions, where a small group of front-line staff meets with senior leadership to discuss ideas for the business and address any concerns.

COMPANY: WebPT INDUSTRY: Technology- Software EMPLOYEES: 157 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Brad Jannenga, President & CTO WEBSITE: webpt.com Employees at WebPT have the opportunity to receive recognition buttons to mark outstanding achievement in their jobs. Each

Emily Piraino

Credit Union West C

Where: Glendale Year Established in Arizona: 1951 # of Employees in Arizona: 175 Robert MacGregor, President/CEO www.cuwest.org P.O. Box 7600 • Glendale (602) 631-3200

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redit Union West is an award-winning financial cooperative that has one key mission: to enhance its members’ quality of life. Since opening in 1951, the credit union’s core principles have guided its decisions, which in turn has ensured integrity and trusted member service.

With more than $475 million in assets and nearly 50,000 members, Credit Union West is a community asset that is positioned to meet the financial needs of its members.

Credit Union West is a full-service financial institution offering personal

and business checking accounts, savings accounts, certificate of deposits, mortgages, credit cards, auto and home equity loans. Their members also enjoy free online banking and bill pay.

“The credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ is evident in everything we do,” said Amy Graham, marketing manager for Credit Union West. “We have made an impact on so many lives by empowering consumers through many years of collaboration with local non-profits, businesses and schools.”

IN ARIZONA

The company places a strong emphasis on employees’ well-being with its in-depth wellness programs.

CareerBuilder | TOP COMPANIES 2013 | 27

button is valid for an entry into a quarterly raffle for prizes and is awarded based on WebPT Values. Staff members also have the opportunity to become part of Culture Club.

COMPANY: Yodle INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing EMPLOYEES: 931 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Court Cunningham, CEO WEBSITE: yodle.com Yodle wants it employees to be the cream of the crop, so they make sure workers can further their education. They offer up to $2,000 per year reimbursements for classes, webinars and certifications pertaining to an employee’s career path. The company also has an email alias where senior management is guaranteed to respond to staff ideas for enhancing the business.

TOP COMPANIES HONOREES 1,000 AND MORE U.S. EMPLOYEES COMPANY: American Express INDUSTRY: Financial Services—Other EMPLOYEES: 26,700 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Ken Chenault, CEO WEBSITE: americanexpress.com Simple yet impactful, American Express has a spotlight recognition program where senior leaders drop by an employee’s desk for a few minutes to give personal thanks for exceptional work. American Express also has strong networks for women that help promote development and provide training opportunities and mentorships. RewardBlue allows employees to send e-thanks to other colleagues and nominate them for Blue points, which can be redeemed for merchandise.

COMPANY: Bank of Arizona INDUSTRY: Banking EMPLOYEES: 4,776 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Stan Lybarger, President & CEO WEBSITE: bankofarizona.com Bank of Arizona puts a strong emphasis on both employee and community wellness. In the work environment, employees are treated to wellness programs, potlucks, holiday parties and multiple forms of recognition.

They focus on the community by providing paid days off for United Way, fund community activities like a chili cook-off and volunteer days with Habitat for Humanity and other similar programs.

COMPANY: Charles Schwab INDUSTRY: Financial Services—Other EMPLOYEES: 13,420 LOCATION: Phoenix TOP EXECUTIVE: Walter W. Bettinger III, President & CEO WEBSITE: schwab.com Charles Schwab recognizes its employees for many different types of contributions.

Excellence in Leadership Awards recognize managers who demonstrate commitment to clients and engage fellow employees, while the Outstanding Community Service Awards recognize two individuals each year who make an impact on the world around them. They also offer a sabbatical program and have adoption allowance or assistance.

Congratulations

2013 Top Companies to Work for in Arizona Winners!

Take your company to the “TOP” in 2014!

Early registration is now open for 2014 at TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

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At BestCompaniesAZ we have helped clients win numerous workplace culture awards and establish themselves as leaders in their industries and as employers of choice. Join the ranks of Arizona’s Top Employers and invest in your company culture today. Contact BestCompaniesAZ at 480-545-5151 or visit us online at www.BestCompaniesAZ.com/Top.

bestcompaniesaz.com

480-545-5151

28 | TOP 28 | TOPCOMPANIES COMPANIES 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com 2013 | CareerBuilder | TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com

Top Companies to Work For Honorees TOP TOPCOMPANIES COMPANIES HONOREES HONOREES 1,000 1,000AND ANDMORE MORE U.S. U.S. EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES

COMPANY: COMPANY: Embry-Riddle Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Aeronautical University University INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Education—Aviation, Education—Aviation, Aerospace, Engineering COMPANY: COMPANY:Edward EdwardJones Jones Engineering EMPLOYEES: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY:Financial FinancialServices—Other Services—Other EMPLOYEES: 2,089 2,089 LOCATION: EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES:36,619 36,619 LOCATION: Prescott Prescott TOP President LOCATION: LOCATION:Chandler Chandler TOP EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: John JohnP.P.Johnson, Johnson, President & CEO TOP Weddle, TOPEXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE:Jim Carolyn Ann Parmer, CEO & CEO WEBSITE: Managing Partner edwardjones.com WEBSITE: WEBSITE: erau.edu erau.edu At WEBSITE: edwardjones.com Edward Jones takes care of its employees At Embry-Riddle, Embry-Riddle, employees employees can can earn earn an education while providing Edward Jones care of its employees no matter whattakes happens.

Whether it’s quick an education while providing aa living living for no matter what happens.

Whether it’sleave quickor themselves assistance in a natural disaster, paid themselves and and their their families. families. The The company offers free tuition for all employees, assistance in a natural leave or medical exceptions, or disaster, dozens ofpaid associates offers free tuition for all employees, as well as their medical or dozens of associates showingexceptions, up for support at a funeral, Edward their spouses/domestic spouses/domestic partners partners and children.

They also offer a Health showing up forbysupport at members. a funeral, Edward Jones stands its team Every They also offer a Health and and Fitness Fitness Day full of fun activities, food and health Jones stands its the team members.to Every associate alsobyhas opportunity own part of fun activities, food and health screenings. associate also has thethey opportunity to own of the company once accrue three years part of the company they accrue three of service.

Women’sonce initiatives and adoption years of service.

Women’s initiatives and assistance are also mainstays in company policy. assistance are also mainstays in adoption company policy.

Emily Piraino

Vi S Where: Scottsdale Year Established in Arizona: 1999 # of Employees in Arizona: 400 Amy Mataro, Executive Director at Grayhawk and Jill Chapman, Executive Director at Silverstone www.viliving.com/scottsdale

COMPANY: Fry’s Food Stores INDUSTRY: Retail—Grocer EMPLOYEES: 17,716 LOCATION: Tolleson TOP EXECUTIVE: Jon Flora, President WEBSITE: frysfood.com Jon Flora is a master of communication and always takes the time to communicate with his employees. He holds town halls, sends weekly notes and personal letters to associates, and even maintains a blog. Fry’s also has a wellness program that includes walking challenges, a ‘biggest loser’ challenge with incentives, Weight Watchers discounts and free offerings. Break rooms in all of the stores were remodeled in 2011, with some featuring video games, billiard tables and large TVs.

ince Vi was founded in 1987, the company has strived to offer its residents unparalleled service and upscale living at Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) that are designed with resident comfort and overall well-being in mind. Vi’s CCRCs are geared towards older adults who want to maintain an active independent lifestyle in a resort-like setting, and also offer residents options for long-term care.

Residents who live at Vi’s Scottsdale CCRCs at Grayhawk and

COMPANY: GEICO Insurance INDUSTRY: Insurance—Auto Insurance EMPLOYEES: 27,000 LOCATION: Tucson Chairman, TOP EXECUTIVE: Tony Nicely, Chairman, President & CEO WEBSITE: geico.com by GEICO promotes health among its staff by fitness classes such as Zumba and and hosting fitness expand yoga onsite. Employees looking to expand GEICO’s their families can take advantage of GEICO’s adoption allowance or assistance.

COMPANY: GoDaddy.com Technology INDUSTRY: Technology EMPLOYEES: 3,404 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Blake Irving, CEO WEBSITE: GoDaddy.com Go Daddy treats its employees like royalty, royalty, with incentives such as Costco shopping shopping

Silverstone can take full advantage of the company’s approach to whole-person wellness that can lead to improved physical, intellectual and emotional health. Those who require long-term care have three available options at each community’s onsite care center: assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support. Vi’s award winning training programs support staff in delivering quality services and programs to enrich the lives of older adults.

sprees, sprees tours. tours. TT allows allows aa Go Go Da D $5,000 $5,000 or or assis assi intrane intrane produc produc

COMP COMP INDUS INDUS Service Service EMPLO EMPL LOCAT LOCAT TOP TOP EX E Preside Preside WEBS WEBS Healthw Health offer offer ei e annuall annual the the Tho Tho

IN ARIZONA

Our employees love what they do.

And we love what they do for our residents.

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sprees, sprees, massages, massages, boat boat rides rides and and Segway Segway tours.

The Go Daddy WOW Me tours. The Go Daddy WOW Me program program allows allows managers managers to to award award employees employees with with aa Go Daddy Visa card loaded Go Daddy Visa card loaded with with cash cash up up to to $5,000.

They also offer adoption allowance $5,000. They also offer adoption allowance or or assistance, assistance, fertility fertility benefits benefits and and aa unique unique intranet and internal blog that includes intranet and internal blog that includes product product updates updates and and company company news. news.

COMPANY: COMPANY: Healthways Healthways INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Healthcare—Insurance/ Healthcare—Insurance/ Services—Well Services—Well Being Being EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES: 2,700 2,700 LOCATION: LOCATION: Chandler Chandler TOP TOP EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: Ben Ben R. R. Leedle, Leedle, Jr., Jr., President & CEO President & CEO WEBSITE: WEBSITE: healthways.com healthways.com Healthways Healthways isis all all about about recognition, recognition, as as they they offer eight colleague achievement awards offer eight colleague achievement awards annually. annually. Among Among them them isis their their top top honor, honor, the Thomas G. Cigarran Award the Thomas G. Cigarran Award for for Values Values

&& Culture.

Culture. This This award award recognizes recognizes the the team team member who has become synonymous member who has become synonymous with with who who Healthways Healthways isis as as aa company company through through sustained sustained commitment commitment to to values values and and culture. culture.

They also offer a direct email exchange They also offer a direct email exchange with with the the CEO CEO and and produce produce an an annual annual colleague colleague engagement engagement survey. survey.

COMPANY: COMPANY: Hyatt Hyatt Regency Regency Phoenix Phoenix INDUSTRY: Other—Hospitality INDUSTRY: Other—Hospitality EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES: 42,428 42,428 LOCATION: LOCATION: Phoenix Phoenix TOP TOP EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: Mark Mark Hoplamazian, Hoplamazian, CEO CEO WEBSITE: phoenix.hyatt.com WEBSITE: phoenix.hyatt.com All All full-time full-time and and part-time part-time employees employees with with more than a year of service more than a year of service time time are are eligible eligible to to receive receive complimentary complimentary room room nights. nights.

Full-time employees get 12 Full-time employees get 12 nights nights aa year, year, while while part-time part-time employees employees get get six. six. Hyatt Hyatt also also has has the the Now@Hyatt Now@Hyatt network network that that gives women in the workplace gives women in the workplace aa chance chance to to

We are looking for new people to join our team: Hiring for all positions including:

✔ HVAC ✔ Electrical ✔ Plumbing ✔ Installation ✔ Warehouse ✔ Office

COMPANY: COMPANY: KPMG KPMG LLP LLP INDUSTRY: Audit Firm Tax and Advisory INDUSTRY: Audit, Accounting EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES: 22,793 22,793 LOCATION: LOCATION: Phoenix Phoenix COMPANY: TOP COMPANY: International International Cruise Cruise TOP EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: John John Veihmeyer, Veihmeyer, Chairman Chairman & Excursions, Inc. & CEO & Excursions, Inc. & CEO INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Other—Leisure, Other—Leisure, Travel Travel && Tourism Tourism WEBSITE: WEBSITE: kpmg.com kpmg.com EMPLOYEES: 1,058 In EMPLOYEES: 1,058 In addition addition to to aa sabbatical sabbatical program program and and LOCATION: Scottsdale adoption allowance or assistance, LOCATION: Scottsdale adoption allowance or assistance, KPMG KPMG TOP has TOP EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: John John Rowley, Rowley, CEO CEO has aa Women’s Women’s Advisory Advisory Board Board that that was was WEBSITE: iceenterprise.com established to create a more compelling WEBSITE: iceenterprise.com established to create a more compelling work work Employees environment Employees never never have have to to leave leave the the building building environment and and enhance enhance career career opportunities opportunities when for when they they work work at at International International Cruise Cruise && for women. women. KPMG’s KPMG’s National National Mentoring Mentoring Excursions.

The office has a café, onsite clinic Award program recognizes Excursions. The office has a café, onsite clinic Award program recognizes exceptional exceptional concierge, concierge, fitness fitness center center and and personal personal trainer, trainer, mentors mentors and and brings brings more more visibility visibility to to the the massage center and nail salon.

The company importance of mentors. massage center and nail salon. The company importance of mentors. also also hosts hosts an an offsite, offsite, nighttime nighttime holiday holiday party party where more than 70 awards are where more than 70 awards are given given and and employees employees can can enjoy enjoy aa night night out out with with their their spouses/significant others. spouses/significant others. discuss discuss topics topics ranging ranging from from the the challenges challenges of of being a working mother to the importance being a working mother to the importance of of leadership leadership roles roles to to support support women women at at work. work.

Why Join the George Brazil Team:

✔ Competitive Wages ✔ Training ✔ Career Advancement ✔ Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Vacation

How to Apply: Apply in person at 3830 S 38th Street Phoenix, AZ 85040

ING

NOW HIR

Apply on our website at: www.GeorgeBrazilService.com/Employment-Overview

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Top Companies to Work For Honorees TOP COMPANIES HONOREES 1,000 AND MORE U.S. EMPLOYEES

Our 845 employees say we’re the best place to work in Arizona.

We can only think of two words to top that

Thank you.

For the past 27 years, Casa Grande Regional Medical Center has served the community with world class healthcare in a small town setting. $-# ,&72+ .&9 :16# +&.# 89 489:&79 9:# 101'8.< %#&%2# 4:& 4&!5 "&! 7;* 3:#( 1!# ,&00899#+ 9& &7! %198#.9; 1.+ <86# 9:#0 9:# /#;9 ,1!# %&;;8/2#*= —Rona Curphy, President and CEO

The commitment of our workers to our patients has helped Casa Grande Regional Medical Center earn accolades :808#36+#( *5! #/$2%&##: .#-#78 "!%/ '#16.2# :,9#+52#:) ,%/$#86864# $0& 0-+ .#-#78:) ,%-86-502 +#4#2%$/#-8) 0-+ a strong patient focus. Some even take advantage of the short commute from the East Valley.

casagrandehospital.com (866) 890-3588 Your community partner in healthcare.

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COMPANY: Resources Global Professionals INDUSTRY: Consulting EMPLOYEES: 2,127 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Don Murray, President & CEO WEBSITE: resourcesglobal.com Resources Global Professionals understands the importance of continuing to help employees grow professionally. Their Professional Development Program provides on-going training each year and support for certifications. As an added benefit, employees with long-term service receive two flight certificates for round-trip travel on any airline.

COMPANY: Ryan LLC INDUSTRY: Other—Corporate Tax Advisory Services Firm EMPLOYEES: 1,308 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: G. Brint Ryan, Chairman & CEO WEBSITE: ryan.com RyanPRIDE is a program that encourages peerto-peer recognition for team members who have had excellent contributions throughout the year. The Chairman’s Award is the highest honor at Ryan, with the winner receiving a $25,000 bonus. The company also offers paid time off to help employees who wish to volunteer with groups such as the American Heart Association and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

COMPANY: Vanguard INDUSTRY: Financial Services—Other— Investment Management EMPLOYEES: 12,993 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Bill McNabb, Chairman & CEO WEBSITE: vanguard.com Vanguard understands that family is an important part of life. They have established an Adoption Assistance Program that offers up to $13,360 per adoption to help family members manage the expenses of adoption.

They also offer fertility benefits, an onsite fitness center, and Breakfast with Bill, a forum with Vanguard’s CEO, Bill McNabb.

COMPANY: Vi INDUSTRY: Other—Senior Living EMPLOYEES: 2,633 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Randy Richards, President WEBSITE: viliving.com Vi offers a variety of programs that promote individual growth and development such as the Management Development Program for non-manager employees to participate in a one-year leadership training program designed to prepare upcoming leaders in the organization for management roles. Vi also has an online university called E-Campus that offers hundreds of courses.

COMPANY: Yelp INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing—Internet EMPLOYEES: 1,200 LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP EXECUTIVE: Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO Thank You Partners WEBSITE: yelp.com Leadership Partners Need a break from the long work Presented Dignity Health day? Yelp has a designated nap

by Go Daddy Fry’s Food Stores room for employees who need a IN ARIZONA Hyatt Regency quick siesta. The company also Media Innovation Partners offers 100 percent paid (employee Republic Media American Express Lazy Boy only) benefits and has a yearly BestCompaniesAZ — President’s Club that represents Consulting Partner Community Partners Best Companies Group— Arizona Quality Alliance the top 10 percent of the company Research Partner Tempe Chamber of that brought in revenue.

WorldatWork— Commerce Strategic HR Partner

IN ARIZONA

Fry’s offers fun, family-friendly activities including a “Fry’s Got Talent” show, intra-company sports teams, a dodge ball Emily Piraino

tournament, and getaways to destinations such as Las Vegas.

Fry’s Food Stores H e’s an optimist, but even Fry’s Food Stores President Jon Flora realizes it’s impossible to please all 18,000 company associates. Still, it doesn’t stop him from trying.

“I want all 18,000 to say, ‘Hey, Fry’s treats me well, I’ve got a good job and Fry’s respects me,’ ” he says. “I think we try our hardest to make that happen.”

Flora says Fry’s does that by not only offering competitive wages and benefits packages but also seeing to it that company leaders learn the names of associates, tell them they’re appreciated and get to know them as individuals.

“It’s the little things that matter,” adds Flora, who writes a blog for associates that typically receives 20 to

25 comments each day, not all of which are positive, he candidly notes.

The company also offers associates plenty of fun, family-oriented events and activities, including reduced admission prices to local water parks and amusement centers, a “Fry’s Got Talent” show, basketball and softball teams, an ever-popular dodge ball tournament and, most recently, a getaway to Las Vegas for associates.

“We’re really bringing back that kind of fun stuff, activities that were cut out in the past because of the economic climate,” he says.

Another highlight for associates is the company’s annual recognition awards, during which associates are recognized

for their accomplishments and years of service. Many, like Flora, have been with the company for decades and, like him, may be just as surprised at the length of their tenure. After all, Flora playfully confides, he was “supposed to be the next Michael Jordan.” But, he says, he soon realized Fry’s was a place where his work and his opinions were valued and it was a company where he could earn a decent living. He’s pretty sure a lot of associates have had that same experience.

“Show people you care,” Flora says, paraphrasing what could be the company philosophy, “and once that happens, people will do anything for you.”

Where: Tolleson Year Established in Arizona: 1960 # of Employees in Arizona: 17,716 Jon Flora, President www.frysfood.com 500 S. 99th Ave. • Tolleson (623) 936-2100

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