Best Workplaces 2024 by Colorado Springs Gazette, LLC

“Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.”

— Simon Sinek

Year after year, our Best Workplaces annual awards tell us that when the people leading an organization do so by example, excellence is habitual. Their teams come together, stay together and work together, embracing challenges, staying positive, keeping busy and productive. Teams are built, and individuals are motivated and focused.

The result of everyone’s efforts?

Exemplary workplaces inhabited by a community of people committed to achieving organizational goals who feel connected to — and an affection for — their workplace. Engaged, productive employees are a businessperson’s dream!

It’s a fact: Workforces notice workplaces that provide them with opportunities. When individuals within a company grow, so does the business. This is true, whether at a public, private, nonprofit or government entity.

On the following pages, I invite you to meet the inspiring companies of Best Workplaces 2024. Learn about the factors that helped bestow this recognition upon them, including organizational health, engagement, leadership, worklife balance, training, pay, benefits and corporate social responsibility, from those who know them best: their employees. Who better to name the best local businesses than those who work in the Pikes Peak region?

Join me in saying, “Congratulations, and well done!”

CHRISTOPHER P. REEN, PUBLISHER THE GAZETTE

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

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The Gazette’s Best Workplaces survey process

BY RACHAEL WRIGHT Special to The Gazette

For eight years The Gazette has hosted the Best Workplaces Awards to celebrate the city’s top organizations. While nominees range from law firms to school districts to nonprofits they all share a drive for excellence, integrity, healthy company culture, and community engagement.

More than 521 nominations were received from Aug. 15-Sept. 10 and represented 179 different public, private, nonprofit and government organizations. Of the 179 organizations 138 registered to deploy the survey, sent to more than 14,000 employees.

To qualify for the Best Workplace Award employers had to have at least 10 employees and a majority of them had to respond to the survey. Any employer with mostly negative responses was excluded.

Respondents were asked various questions in several categories including engagement, people, communication, management, process and strategy. Employers were rated from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The questions are chosen to get as broad a view of the company as possible, from management to tasks to benefits. The final section of the survey included open-ended questions to get as many angles of view as possible.

The highest-scoring average question across all companies was “my company operates with strong values and ethics” and the lowestscoring question was “I believe I am paid fairly for what I contribute to this organization.”

Organizations were divided into four categories: small organizations with 10-29 employees, medium with 30-75 employees, large organizations with 79-299 employees and extralarge with 300-plus employees.

Sue Williams

The Gazette partnered with the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, monster.com and Data Joe LLC, a Boulder-based data collection and analysis firm to analyze survey responses and determine finalists in each category.

The quantitative data was used to create scores for company ranking. The anonymized data was passed onto the companies so they could better understand what their employees thought of the company.

The Gazette’s Best Workplace Award is not only an annual free survey for companies to gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses as an organization, but the Best Workplaces logo can help the public identify organizations that can be trusted.

The Gazette’s Best Workplaces 2024 event, honoring 95 of the top-ranked business organizations in the city, was held on Dec. 5 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs. PUBLISHED

THE TOP 95 COMPANIES

SMALL COMPANIES | 10–29 EMPLOYEES

MIDSIZE COMPANIES | 30–75 EMPLOYEES

basisp.com

THE TOP 95 COMPANIES

MIDSIZE COMPANIES | 30–75 EMPLOYEES

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments

Raft, LLC

S-5!

Springs Dentistry

The

teamraft.com

s-5.com

springsdentistry.com

theindependencecenter.org

Wishing U Well, Inc.

Xledger Inc.

Zivaro Inc.

LARGE COMPANIES | 76–299 EMPLOYEES

Air

Apogee

Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

GOAL High School

HDR Engineering, Inc.

Jaxon Engineering & Maintenance

Merit Academy

bluestaq.com

bryanconstruction.com

coloradoent.com

embrave.org

aglending.com

goalac.org

hdrinc.com

jaxon-em.com

merit.academy Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)

Outreach, Inc.

Penkhus Motor Company

Samtec

outreach.com

#1 EXTRA LARGE COMPANY THE

RESOURCE EXCHANGE

“ An absolutely fabulous nonprofit organization. I recommend it to friends and family and coworkers from previous jobs that are quality workers.”

RESOURCE EXCHANGE EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

Six decades of supporting those with

disabilities

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BY RACHAEL WRIGHT Special to The Gazette

In its 60-year history The Resource Exchanged had broadened to serve over 13,000 people every year in El Paso, Pueblo, Teller and Park counties. TRE’s 500 employees partner with children and adults with a variety of disabilities including intellectual or developmental delays, mental health disabilities or longterm needs.

TRE’s mission is to empower both children and adults in need of care to remain in their own homes instead of being transferred to a nursing facility or hospital. The care is vital — 1 in 8 Colorado children are currently affected by a developmental delay and if the TRE Early Intervention teams can reach them before kindergarten they can reach their full potential.

Colleen Batchelor, The Resource Exchange’s CEO, has been working with individuals with disabilities for 35 years.

“It is incredibly humbling for TRE to be chosen as one of Colorado Springs’ Best Workplaces,” Batchelor said. “We are a nonprofit working in a growing community and providing services that many people aren’t aware of unless they or a family member need them.”

Batchelor said that TRE prioritizes a positive work culture that focuses on the behaviors or actions you’d expect in a high-performing culture. TRE also supports leadership initiatives that provide professional development for staff wanting to grow in their leadership roles.

“We are driven by our mission to support people with disabilities to remain in their community,” Batchelor said. “This mission resonates significantly with our staff. One of our primary cultural roots is ‘Put People First’ and this … applies to our employees as well.”

To attract and retain the best talent TRE implemented a tool to align new candidates with the right positions and the right team to support success.

“We’ve also implemented strategies to support employee engagement … offering mental health benefits, employee engagement events at our offices and updating our employee recognition program,” Batchelor said.

Recently, Batchelor said, a group of staff supervisors and managers came together for “work parties” to address a backlog of work that created challenges for both staff and clients.

“This effort resolved the issue and demonstrated our staff’s willingness to do whatever it takes to serve people,” Batchelor said.

Marketing and Communications Manager Morgan DeFalco said that even before she started working for TRE her friend would rave about how wonderful the organization was.

“I love working for an organization that is so mission-driven,” DeFalco said. “When a company has a strong purpose behind it, going to work is more fulfilling. Not only that, but the people that work here are mission-driven and a joy to work with.”

One of the biggest hurdles facing TRE is recruiting quality talent and reducing employee turnover to provide the best services for clients. TRE is currently focused on expanding services in Pueblo.

“Our hope is to expand our program … through our respite programs,” DeFalco said. “Parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities often aren’t able to leave them with traditional babysitters, so TRE offers various respite programs with trained specialists that are equipped to provide a safe and fun experience.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

#1 LARGE COMPANY

MODERN TECHNOLOGY

SOLUTIONS,

INC. (MTSI)

“You are part of the MTSI family and they make great strides to ensure you are treated with respect as a Employee Owner under the ESOP program.”

Employee-first mindset keeps MTSI on mission

BY LIBBY KINDER Special to The Gazette

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a national force with a mission: “to make important, lasting contributions to the nation’s defense, security, and most technically challenging strategic problems.” Solving problems of global importance, making lasting contributions to the nation’s defense, and 100% employee ownership; add up to significant and innovative achievements in a superlative environment.

The Colorado Springs branch of the 30-year-old company, was started in 2005. Currently, there are 117 local employees, and this rapidly growing enterprise will be moving to a larger space in 2025. Most employees are engineers who work on government defense contracts, and many are military veterans. Engineering specialties include software, mechanical, defense and space, and cybersecurity. “Basically,” says Office Manager, Sarah Tavernier, “we are the team the government hires to fulfill engineering needs for their contract.”

MTSI embraces nine core values:

1. Employees Come First

2. Leadership, Quality, and Responsiveness in Service Delivery

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3. Own and Solve Our Customer’s Problems

4. Ethics, Integrity and Trust

5. Organizational Teamwork and Collaboration

6. Open, Honest and Respectful Communications

7. An Entrepreneurial Environment Which Empowers Teams and Individuals

8. Opportunity Based on Merit 9. Social Responsibility

Job satisfaction is exceptionally high, notes Tavernier.

“I started at MTSI 3 years ago. It has been a breath of fresh air. I have never worked for a company that cares so much about its employees, and keeping the family-like culture as we grow,” she said.

As employee-owners, everyone has a stake in company growth and integrity. Feeling taken care of leads to a reciprocal relationship that is both supportive and satisfying. Comments from employees consistently reflect the importance of the core values.

Wendel Takenaka is a Principal Engineer, with 21 years of experience at MTSI. He has seen considerable growth within the company.

“As our nine core values reflect, we are not interested in numbers. We care about our people, our mission, and our customers. We purposefully recruit, hire, and mentor those of the same mindset. From our CEO to our most recent hire, we all understand those priorities and live it.”

“I’m retired Air Force and have found MTSI has the same sense of camaraderie, mission focus, and urgency to

defend our nation,” Program Director for Strategic Space James MacFarlane says. “One of our core values is to ‘Own and Solve our Customer’s Problems’, and we mean it!”

Jasmine Neal said the number one value ‘Employees Come First’ was one of the many reasons she hoped to never leave the company.

“(It’s) why I love where I work,” she said.

MTSI provides exceptional programs and benefits within the company. A pledge to “Social Responsibility” has resulted in over $30,000 in contributions given to local organizations and events so far in 2024. Employees spend time together at family picnics, sporting events, etc. which leads to a positive culture and enhanced personal experiences.

“I’ve been with MTSI for over 12 years and I assist with onboarding new employees as the CO Security lead,” says Michael Tavernier. “I tell all of our new employee owners…‘this will be my last job’, it has been the best company I ever worked with and for in my 40-year career.”

The MTSI website aptly sums up what it means to be an employee: “100% is more than a number — it defines everything we believe in. That’s why we’re 100% employee-owned. It’s what makes MTSI a unique, respectful, and collaborative environment where our employees are in control of their career success.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

#1 MIDSIZE COMPANY

EXOANALYTIC SOLUTIONS

“ I would have never expected for so much opportunity. I am surrounded by amazing people who work hard, but are also fun to be around. The value of what I have learned about space is insane too! ”

EXOANALYTIC SOLUTIONS

EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

Continued excellence for ExoAnalytic

BY WAYNE HEILMAN Special to The Gazette

ExoAnalytic Solutions has joined an elite group of Colorado Springs employers — the California-based space contractor has finished at the top of its category in The Gazette’s Best Workplaces program for a second consecutive year.

Just three other employers have won the top award in their category in consecutive years — Ent Credit Union in 2018 and 2019, Alpine Contracting in 2022 and 2023 and Cutting Edge Realtors in 2019 and 2020 (and also in 2023). ExoAnalytic Solutions won its award in the mid-sized employer category also won a Best Workplace Award last year from the Orange County Register and Best Place for Working Parents awards both this year and in 2023.

24 hours a day, year-round to determine the precise position of every satellite, space launch and piece of debris. This helps Space Force avoid collisions or potential threats, said Rhett Butler, the company’s senior vice president and leader of the Colorado Springs office.

Most of the employees in the local office are either software developers or engineers with the rest working as space control experts. The company was started in 2008 in Foothills Ranch, Calif., by three career physicists who had worked together at defense contractors Sparta and Computer Sciences Corp. Exoanalytic Solutions also operates offices in Albuquerque, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; El Segundo, Calif., and Huntsville, Ala.

The company also provides employees free trips annually to destinations such as Hawaii, pays for employees to travel to locations like the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center for training and locally ExoAnalytic Solutions sponsors employee gatherings at Top Golf and Dart Wars as well as whitewater rafting and other events to celebrate completion of major projects, build camaraderie and reinforce corporate culture.

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The company’s Colorado Springs office, which opened in 2015 with three employees, now employs 37 people to provide simulation and modeling software used by the U.S. Space Force to identify debris and other threats to U.S. military and intelligence satellites. ExoAnayltic Solutions owns and operates a network of 350 autonomous telescopes worldwide that tracks satellite positioning and light signatures

The employee-owned company awards stock options to employees, which it calls “Exonauts,” based on their performance review and pays dividends quarterly to all shareholders. ExoAnalytic Solutions pays the entire cost of employee and family medical, dental and vision coverage, matches 401(k) retirement plan contributions up to 6% of employee salary 12 paid holidays and generous paid time off — 30 days each year.

“I believe ExoAnalytic is a great place to work because the company excels at balancing both customers’ and employees’ needs,” said Stephanie Ysebaert, a senior systems analyst for the company.” Exo truly cares about its employees by offering great work-life balance benefits and lively office camaraderie, while attracting top talent to deliver innovative solutions for our customers.”

That fun-loving culture even extends to weekly companywide conference calls, hosted every six weeks by employees of the Colorado Springs office who dress up for skits. In one of the most popular skits the local office hosted, the skit was based on solving mysteries featured in the 1960s television series Scooby Doo. The company also gives employees T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies identifying them as Exonauts.

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

#1 SMALL COMPANY

HOPE PHYSICAL THERAPY & WELLNESS

“ I have learned so much working here that I would have never learned by working at another clinic. I feel very supported by my boss, I get quality time with patients and I feel like I am truly valued. ”

HOPE PHYSICAL THERAPY & WELLNESS EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

Customer care leads to happy employees and happy clients

BY ABBEY SOUKUP Special to The Gazette

HOPE Physical Therapy & Wellness in Colorado Springs is not your typical private medical practice, but a combination of owner Chera Hope’s two passions: a holistic approach to physical therapy, and giving back to the community.

“I wanted to have a business that focused on their clients and supported charities, especially children’s charities,” Hope said.

“Now, I get to do everything I dreamed of in one place.”

Married to a military man (Adrien Hope), Chera Hope said she experienced the best and the worst of being a practicing physical therapist, having to relocate every 2 to 3 years.

After years of traveling around the U.S. and Latin America, the couple returned to Colorado Springs and opened their practice in 2016.

Additionally, the clinic donates a portion of its proceeds to Casa de Luz Orphanage in the Dominican Republic and Hope & Home locally in Colorado Springs.

Hope said the nomination for Best Workplaces doesn’t come as a surprise granted her focus on workforce retention and culture over the past two to three years, resulting in several previous nominations and wins.

Although her client-centric business model had proven successful, Hope said she recognized the need to focus on her employees for it to thrive.

“Gen X — we’re workhorses. We don’t have a good family, work, life balance,” Hope said. “I started listening to their (younger generations) wants and concerns.”

Jeremy Sorenson has worked as a physical therapist for the company since 2017. He describes the culture cultivated by Hope as one of “collaboration and communication.”

“Chera has a vision for holistic physical therapy care in the Springs and this idea begins with staff that is onboard and engaged, working together to achieve this goal,” Sorenson said.

“I feel (Chera Hope) has really gone the extra mile working with staff as their needs change to try to come up with the best work-life balance that can be achieved. Our culture is one of maximizing wellness for staff and our patients,” he continued.

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Hope told the Gazette inspiration for her business model came from her time practicing in the Dominican Republic. While many physical therapy clinics she experienced state-side wanted their physical therapists to see as many clients as possible, Hope strived to form more intimate connections with patients.

“We opened with the model of 45-minute, one-on-one appointments,” Hope said.

Today, Hope says she has taken a step back from practicing physical therapy herself to take on a mentor role for her staff and focus on the business side of the clinic. Her staff of roughly seven physical therapists can now look to Hope more as a mentor and a boss rather than a colleague.

“I’m here more for the PTs. Yes, we’re still very patient-centered, but now I’m more in tune with the staff,” Hope said.

“If your employees are happy, your patients will be happy. If you’re stressed out, overworked, and grumpy, your patients will pick up on that,” she continued.

Employee Leah Valdez, who’s been with the clinic for around five months, said she left her long-time previous “amazing company” for the opportunity to work for Hope.

“And I didn’t think I would ever leave that company,” Valdez said.

However, after finding Hope’s job listing and landing an interview, Valdez found it to be exactly what she was looking for in an employer.

“I wanted to help people more, and I instantly believed in what she (Chera) was trying to do,” Valdez said.

“You don’t feel like you’re in a physical therapy clinic, you feel like you’re in someone’s home. No one is looked at as an employee, we’re looked at as a family.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

HARRISON SCHOOL

DISTRICT 2

“ I have absolutely fallen in love with my career as an educator for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Every day, I have the opportunity to teach, grow, and learn alongside my students.”

monterey Elementary School serves grades pre-K through 5 in Harrison School district 2.

Harrison earns high grades by doing things differently #2

BY RACHAEL WRIGHT Special to The Gazette

Harrison School District 2 is the second oldest school district in El Paso County with a long history of both talented staff and student excellence.

HARRISON SCHOOL

DISTRICT 2 EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

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Students are at the heart of D-2’s mission and it is this commitment Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel says is why the district’s been nominated for a Best Workplaces Award.

D-2 encompasses 1,300 staff, 19 schools, three charter schools and a home school academy serving over 13,000 students. Central to D-2’s mission is the motto, “We do things differently.”

“Our students make our work meaningful every day and the district thinks outside of the box,” Birhanzel said. “My passion is ensuring a high-quality educational experience for every student and opening doors to opportunities and success.”

In a time when public education and educators face a lot of criticism, Birhanzel said it’s difficult to feel appreciated and celebrated. D-2 has made a conscious decision to create an inclusive culture where employees are supported and also given opportunities to

voice their opinions on decisions that impact them.

“Being nominated for the Best Workplaces Award sets us apart and demonstrates how we support our staff, which at the end of the day translates to how we support our students,” Birhanzel said. “We are proud to do things differently in D-2.”

In order to better support staff and foster their growth D-2 began offering workplace wellness with access to mindfulness and positivity workshops. Not only does the district make sure that all staff have access to “ongoing professional development for staff as well as focused professional and interpersonal skill building,” they also offer an employee assistance program and more to make sure that staff members are supported.

The school district boasts multiple award-winning staff and state-wide finalists including; Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, Superintendent of the Year and Teacher of the Year.

“No position is more important than the other — we work as a team to meet student needs and this is working well for us,” Birhanzel said. “We have a pos-

itive and supportive culture. People want to work where they are supported and appreciated.”

The well-being of not only the students and their families but also staff and the greater community is of utmost importance to Birhanzel and D-2.

“A huge part of our role is to create future community leaders who think critically and effectively lead in a democratic society, so we encourage our staff to model this as well,” Birhanzel said. “To be visible and contributing members of a community, we need to ensure the voices of our youth are heard and we also provide space for staff to be heard.”

To do this, district staff model the respect, inclusivity, relationships and authentic connection and conversation that they encourage and foster in their students.

At a recent Mayor’s State of the City Address Birhanzel recounted a comment from a leader from a different school district.

“They said ‘I knew D-2 would bring kids — you bring them everywhere.’ What a great thing to be known for, including students, in all we do!” Birhanzel said.

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

THANK YOU to our dedicated employees for making us a 2024 Gazette Best Workplaces!

As a Christian Clinical Counseling team, we come from a variety of backgrounds with many different specialties, yet we all are fully dedicated and unified in providing mental health care that is holistic, relationally-based, and spiritually sound. We serve people and families from all ages, sizes, races, and religions with care and compassion. To date, we’ve been blessed to serve Coloradans and our fellow Americans from around our nation for almost two decades from 37 different states and 7 other countries to help our clients change for the better, reconcile relationships, and overcome their personal or familial challenges. From our in-person counseling and Telehealth services to our experiential therapies and transformational intensive retreats, whatever you or your family needs most, we are here for you!

#2 LARGE COMPANY

SKYVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

“ I was a scared new teacher when I started, and now I am confident and feel so supported with anything that I am trying to do! ”

SKYVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL, EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

When school feels like a second home

BY LIBBY KINDER Special to The Gazette

“This is a special place!” exclaims Mike Wedor, principal of Skyview Middle School, part of District 49.

“We have … an emphasis on putting our people first, and creating an environment where staff and students can be successful.”

This philosophy has led to a culture where growth and achievement are consistently encouraged and celebrated.

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Regarding the positive culture, Wedor says: “It truly is because of the focus we put into our people to make them feel valued and heard. The culture staff has created in our school has trickled down to where our students now want to perform at their best.” Skyview is a “Heads Up” campus, notes Wedor, meaning the over 100 staff members, and 900 students consistently acknowledge and greet each other while passing in the hallways, creating an atmosphere of acceptance and visibility.

“The support, community, and culture makes me WANT to show up and be at work,” says Math Teacher Sydney Rigg. “Acknowledgement, a priority for us teachers — it’s what all teachers need to love their job and not feel burnt out. I feel valued, supported, and reminded daily of why I do what I do.”

Wedor explains that 3 years ago the staff and students set out to rebrand Skyview. An external organization

partnered with the school to create and conduct a survey to help improve the school culture that includes the community, staff, and students. According to Wedor, the term that emerged time after time in survey responses was “pursuit.” The school catchphrase is now “in pursuit,” and the school culture embraced daily focuses on always moving forward, and never settling for second best.

A mural of an eagle, the school mascot, surrounded by the word pursuit, was painted on the wall in the main hallway. Everyone at the school sees it multiple times a day, and is reminded of the importance of pride and determination.

“This is who we are, what we believe, and what we will continue to strive for,” says Wedor.

A perfect example of the pursuit of excellence is the 2024 results of the statewide academic report card, Colorado Measures of Academic Success. Skyview moved up an astounding 12 points from the “met performance” level in 2023, to “school of distinction” CMAS level this year.

Celebratory events happen regularly at Skyview. In August a “Welcome Back party” was held for the school’s Power Zone that includes four nearby elementary schools, Skyview, and Vista Ridge High School. This important social event; with food trucks,

games, and family activities; encourages and supports positive community engagement. Whole-school assembly rallies are held quarterly to recognize the achievements of teachers and students.

The school held a rousing day of celebration for its CMAS achievement in early October. The teachers, who actively prepared their students for the testing, enjoyed a breakfast. The students delighted in ice cream sandwich treats, and bounce houses.

Community outreach is an active piece of Skyview culture. Canned goods are regularly collected for Care and Share Food Bank. The school is currently in the decision-making process to choose a philanthropic project for the entire school.

“I love working at Skyview because we put our positive culture and climate in the forefront … We value opinions and relationships and work hard to ensure that we are all seen and heard,” says Special Education Teacher, Samantha Antcliff. “I wake up every day excited to go be an Eagle. I love being part of our leadership team to create fun and exciting ways to recognize our staff and students.”

PE teacher Tony Marino echoes these sentiments: “The sense of community, the dedicated staff, and the incredible students make this school feel like a second home.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

Skyview middle School, a public school located at 6350 Windom Peak blvd., serves grades 6-8 in district 49.

#2 MIDSIZE COMPANY

BASIS PARTNERS

“ Basis actually treats their employees like family and actually invests into them. This is the first company I have worked for that does not care about corporate norms and pushes to take care of their employees first. ”

BASIS PARTNERS EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

Building a better business with Basis

BY WAYNE HEILMAN Special to The Gazette

Most Colorado Springs area residents probably have never heard of Basis Partners, but many are likely familiar with the company’s work.

Basis provided construction management for two of the area’s recent high-profile road projects — the Powers Boulevard-Research Parkway interchange and a roundabout at the entrance to Garden of the Gods Park. The Colorado Springs-based company, which celebrated its fifth birthday last month, also designs road projects for a variety of government agencies and inspects bridges — nearly 600 across the state so far this year.

Among the company’s design projects are an interchange planned for Powers Boulevard and Milton E. Proby Parkway, transportation improvements to Cheyenne Road and Cheyenne Boulevard and acceleration-deceleration lanes under construction on Interstate 25 between the Fillmore Street and Garden of the Gods Road interchanges.

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Basis has been honored by The Gazette’s Best Workplaces program both this year and in 2023 as the second-best workplace in the mid-sized employer category for those with 30-75 employees. The company also received Best Workplace awards in 2020 and 2022.

Alex Pellegrino, Derek Phipps and Dino Bakkar started the company in 2019 after working together in the Colorado Springs office of engineering consulting giant AECOM and have grown the business from the three founders to 65 employees working on 183 projects statewide.

Pellegrino serves as the company’s president and CEO and Phipps is executive vice president, while Bakkar retired last year and sold his ownership interest in Basis.

“We thought we could take care of people better if we did what we do on our own,” Pelligrino said. “We share the same values both at work and outside of work: We follow the Golden Rule, treating clients and each other the way we want to be treated,” Pellegrino said.

Basis Partners pays a large share of employee medical, dental and vision coverage, matching employee contributions to the company’s 401(k) retirement plan, offers generous paid time off starting with three weeks for new employees and pays for employee training and some education expenses. The company also provides incentives for employees to get their Professional Engineer license.

“We paid to train several employees to become drone pilots so they can

use drones to photograph our projects both before and after and we also will pay for employees to get relevant degrees or certifications,” Pellegrino said.

The company has a fleet of 45 vehicles equipped with WiFi service so employees working in the field can drive directly from their homes to the job site. Basis also invites employees and their families to semi-annual parties, sponsors outings for employees ranging from golf tournaments and ski trips to happy hours and social hours and provides employees with free tickets to its fire pit suite at the new Ford Amphitheater.

Basis is part of the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance to help attract students to engineering and related fields. Basis also supports the Children’s Literacy Project, the Colorado Veterans Project and Kensi’s Causes, an Aurora nonprofit that supports underprivileged children and their families throughout Colorado by providing toys, food and more during the holidays; school supplies and clothing during the school year and various types of help for families.

“We are proud of living and working in Colorado Springs,” Pellegrino said. “Our team excels at working together, supporting each other and delivering the project for our clients.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

#2 SMALL

COMPANY

ADOLFSON & PETERSON CONSTRUCTION

“ Adolfson & Peterson allows me the opportunity to run my jobs my way. I do not feel micromanaged. I feel like an empowered entrepreneur.”

ADOLFSON & PETERSON CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

‘It’s not kind of a family, it is a family’ Adolfson & Peterson Construction prioritizes life over work

BY ABBEY SOUKUP Special to The Gazette

At Adolfson & Peterson Construction, they have their priorities straight; it goes God, family, then AP, in that order, according to company Vice President Tony Cingoranelli.

“We’re family-owned and oriented. Really family oriented,” Cingoranelli told The Gazette.

“I think the biggest thing that makes us successful is always going back to having a people-first mentality, and that goes for our people and our clients, we’re very relationship-based.”

Getting its start more than 75 years ago in Minnesota, AP has grown across six states nationwide and supports approximately 700 employees today. The company found a home in Colorado in 1980 and opened its office in Colorado Springs in the summer of 2023.

Additionally, AP is responsible for work completed on the Woodland Park Aquatic Center and an addition to Castle View High School in Castle Rock.

Cingoranelli said that while many construction groups will grow and shrink staff based on available work, AP strives for reliability and consistency.

“Our model is to do a great job and take care of the clients,” Cingoranelli said.

“Our goal is always once we hire somebody, we want them to retire with us. Our goal is always sustainable growth.”

For employee Jason Wulf his positive experience working for the construction company comes down to its culture and the emphasis on worklife balance.

“Our culture here is amazing and it starts at the top with company leadership,” Wulf said.

“It feels great to be nominated for the “Best of” because it is one of the things that we strive for — being a place where people want to come to work; a place where they feel valued and engaged so that our customers feel the same,” Cingoranelli said.

Chris Meek, who’s been with the company for 10 years, said what separates AP from other construction groups he’s with is the sense of office comradery.

“Everyone here has each other’s back,” Meek said.

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According to Cingoranelli, the company’s focus on family and community translates to projects taken on by AP. Locally, the company is in the process of multiple projects within the District 11 school district, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Saint Francis Hospital.

“There is a true sense of teamwork and family feel here at our office. The company prides itself in taking care of its employees and there is a true worklife balance here.”

For Cingoranelli, the nomination for Best of Workplaces is a pat on the back; a sign he is fulfilling his role as a manager within AP.

“I can tell anyone anything and they’re here to support me from every level. It doesn’t necessarily have to be professional, it can be personal. We’ve had a lot of instances of people coming together to help each other,” Meek continued, reflecting on a time the office came together to construct a handicap ramp at a fellow employee’s home after a bad accident.

“I would say in 28 years, I’ve worked for two other companies and it almost seemed like at those other companies you were just a number of a commodity. Here, you have a voice. You’re heard. You’re a part of a family.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

Congratulations to Our Team — Best Workplace 2024!

We’re thrilled to celebrate our incredible team, recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for 2024! Our team has proudly served Southern Colorado for over twenty years, providing specialized care in skin cancers, diseases, and skin health. Our patientcentered approach, personalized treatments, and unwavering dedication to healing and hope are what set us apart. It’s our privilege to consider our patients the true heroes of our story, and together, we’ve created a place where care and community thrive. Every day, our team brings compassion and excellence to each patient, with a commitment beyond skin-deep, making this a great place to serve our patients and work.

We’re honored to serve you and look forward to continuing this journey together. To learn more, visit SkinCancerAndDerm.com or call 719-574-0310

to be named one of The Gazette’s Best Workplaces.

Brett K. Matheson MD, FACMS

Christopher R. Sartori, MD

Deborah B. Henderson, MD, MPH Krystal Nakamura, MD

Tara Burton PA-C

#3 LARGE COMPANY

VANGUARD SKIN SPECIALISTS

“Many medical practices pay lip service to patientoriented care. But Vanguard walks its talk, both in how patients are treated and in giving back to the community. I am very proud to be part of such an outstanding medical group.”

VANGUARD SKIN SPECIALISTS EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

Giving spirit goes far deeper than skin

BY LIBBY KINDER Special to The Gazette

All 145 employees of Vanguard Skin Specialists are committed to its mission: “… to make a positive impact on our patients, our community, and our world. It drives everything we do,” explains CEO Leisle Chung.

Patients are treated like family. Underserved communities in Colorado benefit from increasing treatment opportunities. And global missions by team members are yearly events.

Dr. Renata Prado, a surgeon at Vanguard, expands on this commitment: “Our mission inspires us to create something bigger than us. It allows us to attract like-minded people who join us and strengthen our commitment. The more we do for others, the more we receive.”

Vanguard Skin Specialists was founded in 2009 by Vietnamese immigrant Dr. Vinh Chung and his wife, Leisle Chung. Services provided largely in the southern Colorado region include comprehensive dermatology, plastic surgery reconstruction, cosmetic surgery, dermatopathology, and aesthetics. There are currently eight clinic locations, with plans for a ninth to open in 2025.

ity of dermatology services in 2025 to those who until recently have had minimal access to such treatment. In February 2025 a Vanguard team will be traveling to Honduras. Along with global partner World Vision, clean water and economic development are provided to those in need.

Philanthropy is an ongoing mission for Vanguard employees. Their Give Thanks program provides grants to continually support local charities. Vanguard’s aesthetic skin care shop, named Clara after the Chungs’ daughter, donates 100% of profits to charities serving women and children. In 2024 a program through Give Thanks called 15x15 is celebrating Vanguard’s 15th anniversary. Fifteen charities are being selected to receive generous grants of $15,000 each. This will be the largest grant year yet with a total $225,000 being awarded.

Vanguard has a committee called SERVE that sponsors one to two volunteer opportunities monthly for staff and their families to help organizations such as Care and Share Food Bank, The Cheyenne Mountain and Pueblo Zoos, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, and COS I Love You.

organization being awarded a Give Thanks grant is what gives me meaning and why I’m the leader of SERVE committee,” SERVE leader Jamie Schilling said, describing how these opportunities benefit her.

The two-year Pre-Health Program is designed for college graduates contemplating their next move within the health care field. They have the opportunity to gain clinical experience prior to attending physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or medical school.

Dermatologist, Dr. Daniel Diblasi, explains his joy participating in this program. “Working so closely with medical assistants is one of my favorite parts of the job-they become like family. It is an honor to help our Pre-Health MAs work towards their dream of a career in medicine.”

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The Vanguard team routinely travels to underserved areas in Colorado. Satellite clinics in rural areas such as La Junta will be increasing the availabil-

“Seeing the impact that we make volunteering at food banks, seeing a child smile when receiving a brand new coat, or seeing the reaction of an

“What makes Vanguard unique is our excellent care for our patients,” said Patient Care Manager Lisa Morgan. “We treat them like family while still taking care of our team every day. But we don’t stop there. Vanguard focuses on giving back to our local community needs as well as others around the world. I have never seen a company (that) has that kind of compassion for people and make(s) that much effort to help others. Vanguard is not just healing the skin of our patients, Vanguard is helping to heal the world.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

#3 MIDSIZE COMPANY

PSYCHIATRY

“Bright Futures Psychiatry has an incredible benefits package including matching 401k, employer-paid health care, vision, dental and student loan reimbursement.”

BRIGHT FUTURES PSYCHIATRY EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

Well-being at core of growing business

BY WAYNE HEILMAN Special to The Gazette

Erin Recinos started Bright Futures Psychiatry after working as a psychiatric nurse for 12 years in three states when a suicidal patient couldn’t get a follow-up appointment because there were no providers near his home in Cañon City and he had no way of traveling elsewhere.

She returned to college in 2016 to get a master’s degree needed to become a nurse practitioner in psychiatric mental health so she could open her own practice and begin providing care to patients living in underserved areas through telemedicine. Erin and husband Juan Recinos, who had 20 years of experience in health care, opened Bright Futures in 2018 with no other employees and have since grown to three offices and 30 employees.

“We decided ‘Why not open our own business?’ And our first two appointments after we opened were through telemedicine, and now we serve 450 patients a week from all over the state both in-person and with telemedicine,” Erin Recinos said. “We are helping patients in crisis, getting them out of crisis and helping them experience

stability in their lives — the goal is mental wellness. We work to prioritize client well-being.”

Bright Futures opened its first clinic near Colorado Highway 115 and South Academy Boulevard in 2018, expanded with a satellite office four years later in Cripple Creek and opened a third office in November near North Academy Boulevard and Woodmen Road. The practice specializes in transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses an MRI-strength magnet targeted at specific parts of the brain as a treatment for depression.

Bright Futures had been named a Best Workplace in 2021 and 2023 by The Gazette in the small employer category for those with 10-29 employees and finished third this year in the midsized employer category for those with 30-75 employees.

The practice now has 18 people in clinical roles such as mental health therapists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, clinical technicians and those in support roles with about half of its staff working hybrid schedules between the three offices and remote locations. Erin Recinos established the company’s culture from

the beginning to listen and implement ideas from any employee to improve the business.

“We have the same focus on well-being for both clients and employees,” Erin Recinos said. “Our positive work environment and culture have been very important to me since day one. We offer a supportive and inclusive culture that promotes collaboration and well-being. We bring everyone into our meetings to get input and implement their ideas. It is important to me that they are heard and help shape what we do.”

Employee benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan match of up to 5% of salary, a matching $700 a year contribution to a health savings account, up to $1,500 a year payment for continuing education, student loan payment assistance, generous paid time off, productivity bonuses, up to a $2,500 signing bonus for some new employees, and a variety of services and discounts through payroll provider ADP.

Erin Recinos is the founder, CEO and owner of Bright Futures, and Juan is the chief operations officer. The couple met in the Air Force, where both were working as medics.

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

#3 SMALL COMPANY

SIMPLY KIDS DENTAL

“

Because core values comes first, everyone on the team believes in the same philosophies. Simply Kids Dental does not just develop people, they develop leaders.

SIMPLY KIDS DENTAL EMPLOYEE, BEST WORKPLACES SURVEY

”

Simply caring for patients and employees

BY RACHAEL WRIGHT Special to The Gazette

At Simply Kids Dental the name really does say it all. Dr. Sean Vostatek founded the dental practice in 2009 after four years of serving uninsured children in the National Health Service Corps. The practice is equipped with the latest kidfriendly technology, like the cutting edge in X-ray technology to minimize radiation exposure.

According to owner Dr. Sean Vostatek, or Dr. Sean as he’s called by his patients, at Simply Kids Dental “we obsess over our patients’ needs. We treat our patients the way we want our own families to be treated.” Dr. Vostatek and Simply Kids Dental’s values are serving others, working hard together, exceeding expectations, allin attitude, taking ownership and changing lives.

Simply Kids Dental has grown to 15 employees and is located centrally in Colorado Springs to serve the patients in surrounding areas. Dr. Vostatek offers emergency appointments for those who have long distances to travel.

According to Nawal Yousef, the financial and hospital coordinator for Simply Kids Dental, their success comes from the team.

“We have a team that creates a very home-like atmosphere and we have a very diverse group of individuals from all walks of life, making the environment welcome to all people,” Yousef said. “Dr. Sean is an amazing leader too, he runs the business with love and dedicates himself to growth not only to us as employees but as individuals as well.”

suggesting books, podcasts and blogs, Dr. Vostatek provides his employees with continued education courses, elaborate bonus programs within the company, team member appreciation group activities, team building and open-door communication.

“Dr. Sean always supports us in learning new things about dentistry and life,” Yousef said. “He also leads by example in all walks of his life.”

Dr. Vostatek founded the business to support underprivileged children and his team at Simply Kids Dental has stuck to that philosophy over the years.

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“Being recognized as a best workplace is a testament to our incredible dental team,” Dr. Vostatek said. “Together, we create not just smiles, but an environment where passion and care thrive — truly the best dental team in the world.”

Yousef was in dental classes when she started bringing her young son to be seen by Dr. Vostatek and was impressed by his care of her son. Twelve years ago she found her way into employment at the practice. Yousef said the same strong relationships between team members and patients are one of the practice’s strongest suits.

Beyond supporting personal growth by

“He is constantly having team members and himself busy in events throughout the community,” Yousef said. “He hosts several community events himself. The community knows that they can trust Dr. Sean.”

That sense of trust and support of the local community and the staff members is why Simply Kids Dental has routinely found itself voted a Best Workplace.

“It means so much to us all,” Yousef said, “that the team took time to share their support of the practice and shared similar visions as to why Simply Kids Dental is the best workplace.”

cOdy VAn HOOSEr, THE GAZETTE

WORK FOR US

As a next career step, it doesn’t get much better than a Pulitzer Prize-winning media company in the heart of Colorado. Come join our diverse workforce and be a member of a great workplace! Scan the code below to apply today!

FARM CREDIT OF SOUTHERN COLORADO

Tailored financing solutions for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses

SPONSORED FEATURE

Farm Credit of Southern Colorado is on a mission to support the growth and success of rural communities. Their team of local, experienced professionals bring decades of knowledge to the table, ensuring those managing a family farm, running a large-scale ranch or starting a new venture in agribusiness receive personalized service and expert guidance.

As a locally owned cooperative, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado goes beyond traditional lending. When you work with them, you are a customer and an owner. You share in the cooperative’s profits, which can be reinvested into your operation.

From land purchases and equipment financing to operational lines of credit and agribusiness loans, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado is available to support every aspect of your agricultural journey. Their products are designed to offer flexibility and stability to keep you resilient through

EMBRAVE

market changes, weather challenges and industry shifts.

Farm Credit of Southern Colorado is committed to building meaningful customer relationships. Team members will take the time to understand your goals and aspirations, develop customized strategies and help you grow and succeed ... because agriculture isn’t just an occupation; it’s a lifestyle and a legacy.

Farm Credit of Southern Colorado is a financial institution and an advocate for the rural communities they serve. They are passionate about supporting agricultural education and advancing rural infrastructure through outreach and community initiatives. Investing in our communities strengthens the fabric of our region, ensuring that agriculture remains a vital and thriving industry for generations to come.

Ready to take the next step in your agricultural journey? Visit aglending.com to learn more about Farm Credit of Southern Colorado. 

Leading community connections in Colorado

SPONSORED FEATURE

One thing is abundantly clear when you visit with the staff at Embrave: This place is different! Staff members are dedicated and client-focused, with abundant stories of extra efforts, from finding resources to securing housing. They truly believe in what this organization represents.

Embrave, founded in 1984, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community corrections organization rooted in the belief that “people can — and do — change. Embrave creates opportunities for people to succeed and thrive in our community.” In line with their mission, Embrave was created to offer programs as an alternative to incarceration and as a step down from prison, addressing criminal behavior, substance abuse and mental health. Embrave provides a unique suite of specialized services within El Paso County and the 4th Judicial District. They deploy integrated case

management, specialized residential treatment and an array of monitoring services designed to ensure client accountability, transformation and community safety.

Since their inception, Embrave has been a leader in community corrections with an overarching commitment to transforming lives. By collaborating with donors,

government, community members, service providers and their committed employees, they ensure their collective efforts transform communities and alleviate problems of homelessness, addiction and justice-related issues. They live their vision of “investing in people and innovating services that build healthier lives, stronger families and safer communities.”

Embrave continues to provide high-quality, client-centered services to the justice involved; however, they want to — and can — do more. It is important for Embrave to offer solutions for the community’s most significant needs. They envision strategically broadening the scope of the services and solutions that they provide to the community and Colorado. With a history of dedicated service and commitment to their clients, the excitement for this new era is palpable among staff and clients. 

SKIN CANCER & DERMATOLOGY CENTER

Specialists in all skin conditions, for all ages and all skin types

SPONSORED FEATURE

The expert medical professionals at Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center provide the most up-to-date dermatological care, with Mohs surgery techniques for skin cancer treatment, and the best technologies

and medical concepts for diseases affecting the skin, hair and nails. These specialists have been serving the Southern Colorado community for over 20 years, with warm, compassionate care. From acne treatment to cosmetic services, moles (nevi), Psoriasis, rashes, wrinkles and more, every in-office experience is as individual as the patient being cared for. The medical care at Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center is, in a word, patient-centric. Visit SkinCancerAndDerm.com to learn more about the veteran-owned practice’s philosophy, providers and services; or call 719-574-0310 for more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Matheson, Dr. Sartori, Dr. Henderson, Dr. Nakamura or Tara M. Burton, PA-C. 

ExoANALYTIC SOLUTIONS

TORCH TECHNOLOGIES

A solutions company

SPONSORED FEATURE

Torch Technologies provides superior research, development and engineering services to the Department of Defense. The 100% employee-owned business has more than 1,200 employee owners — located in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Kwajalein and Egypt — who are dedicated to quality technical services, competitive costs and ethical business practices.

As one of the largest federal contractors in the nation, the services provided directly support the men and women who serve our country. The employee-owners of Torch Technology take pride in their work — as individuals, and businesspeople who are “Lighting the Pathway to Freedom.”

Founded in 2002 by Bill Roark and Don Holder, the company’s

headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama include research facilities, and a 12,000-square-foot conference center. Here — and in eight regional technical offices and on-site field support at customer locations worldwide — the toughest engineering challenges are solved. 

Cutting-edge solutions for mission success

SPONSORED FEATURE

ExoAnalytic Solutions is transforming space security through pioneering advancements in space domain awareness, defense technology and military operations research. As the space environment becomes increasingly contested and congested, ExoAnalytic empowers organizations to navigate complex challenges with confidence, providing the critical insights and capabilities needed to safeguard their most vital

assets. Our unwavering commitment to mission success drives our expert team to deliver innovative and creative technical solutions at the speed of need.

Core to our mission is the protection and enhancement of global security. ExoAnalytic offers an extensive portfolio of capabilities, including wargaming, advanced modeling and simulation, algorithm development, systems

engineering and analysis, and realtime space monitoring.

Each capability is tailored to meet the unique demands of our defense and commercial space clients, who rely on our expertise to anticipate, adapt, and respond to diverse and evolving threats in the rapidly changing space domain.

In addition to addressing current security needs, ExoAnalytic Solutions is dedicated to building

a sustainable future for space operations. We proactively tackle the growing requirements for space traffic management, satellite health monitoring and anomaly detection, ensuring safe and reliable activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Our robust solutions not only facilitate immediate mission success but also foster a safer, more resilient space environment for future generations. 

COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT

Where you’ll love taking off and landing

The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is more than just a transportation hub; it serves as a gateway that prioritizes the experience of both travelers and employees. With a strong commitment to friendliness, safety and comfort, COS is dedicated to making each passenger’s journey memorable. The airport offers the speed and convenience travelers desire, featuring daily nonstop flights and numerous connections to destinations around the world.

Recognized by The Gazette as one of the Best Workplaces for four consecutive years, COS emphasizes its dual focus on operational excellence and employee satisfaction. The airport aims not only to transport you from point A to point B but also to ensure that your travel experience is exceptional from start to finish.

Whether you’re embarking on an adventure or returning home, COS is designed to provide a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. From the

moment you arrive at the airport until you board your flight, the focus is on your comfort and convenience, with our dedicated team playing a vital role in that success.

BRIGHT FUTURES PSYCHIATRY

Experience relief with TMS

MODERN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. (MTSI)

Employee-owned excellence in aerospace engineering

Since 1993, Modern Technology Solutions, Inc., an aerospace engineering contracting company, has built a record of stable growth, and earned recognition for its strong core values and commitment to customer success. MTSI supports the defense and intelligence communities, federal civilian agencies and commercial clients, drawing on decades of expertise from nationally and internationally recognized professionals to deliver advanced technical services and comprehensive solutions to complex challenges.

As a 100% employee-owned company, MTSI fosters a unique culture where employees — the company’s No. 1 core value — come first. This employee-centric focus attracts and retains top talent, helping MTSI stay agile, accurate and responsive. It’s this dedication that has earned MTSI a spot as one of The Gazette’s Best Workplaces, a recognition the company is deeply honored by.

RAFT, LLC

Where the view is better on the edge

We’re thrilled to be named one of Colorado Springs’ Best Workplaces in 2024! Our team’s heart is in Colorado, where we’ve built a workplace that values innovation, collaboration and, above all, people. Raft is where our mission moves mountains.

It’s not just about making waves — it’s about supporting our people to bring their best. Our commitment to each team member’s growth has helped us cultivate an environment where we all succeed, together.

We believe that being on the edge of data and AI technology means more than simply pushing boundaries: it means creating a community that works together to make an impact.

See why we’re Colorado Springs’ favorite place to work at teamraft.com /about. 

“Our capabilities span technical systems engineering and integration, ground and flight testing, modeling and simulation, mission assurance, cybersecurity, lifecycle acquisition planning, policy development, logistics and operational planning,” said Brent Sanders,

Colorado site lead and principal engineer. “We work closely with customers to develop innovative solutions to complex technical problems, and we are their partner of choice.”

Today, with over 2,100 employees and 16 offices across the country,

MTSI’s employee-centric culture fosters high engagement and retention rates, ensuring exceptional service and mission success for its clients. “Our trust and collaboration-based culture is the foundation for delivering outstanding results,” Sanders added. 

GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT & CLUB

Enriching lives by nature

SPONSORED FEATURE

Perched atop a mesa in Colorado Springs, the AAA Four-Diamond Garden of the Gods Resort and Club is the premier retreat in the Rocky Mountain West.

Regularly recognized with top accolades — Yelp’s #1 Place to Stay in the U.S. and TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award — Garden of the Gods Resort and Club has built a reputation as a leading destination for holistic and integrated wellness, adventure, golf, yoga, guided hiking treks, fine dining, celebratory experiences, meetings, events, and world-class hospitality.

Garden of the Gods Resort and Club believes that life is richer when we are truly connected with the people and the world around us. Deeply committed to delivering a sophisticated, five-star experience enriched by nature, this intention is fully realized with duality. The resort grounds are immersed into its namesake natural landmark, offering unmatched access to panoramic perspectives not seen elsewhere; and

VANGUARD SKIN

resort team members are, by their very nature, committed to enriching each guest and member experience.

The resort is comprised of 117 guest rooms, suites, cottages and casitas; four dining venues, including the Grand View Restaurant open daily to the public; the 31,000-square foot destination STRATA Spa and Med powered by 40 board-certified doctors, nurses, award-winning therapists and clinicians; a 27-hole Kissing Camels championship golf course and club; three pools; tennis and pickleball courts; a robust fitness center and daily instructor-led classes; more than 22,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting and events space; and more.

We believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one, and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. We believe it is our purpose to create incredible memories that stay with our guests and our members for a lifetime. 

SPECIALISTS

Premier dermatology and plastic surgery

Vanguard Skin Specialists is proud to be recognized as a Best Workplace for the sixth year in a row. We are dermatologists, plastic surgeons and advanced practice practitioners who believe in changing the world for the better — one patient at a time.

Vanguard’s mission is to make a positive impact on our patients, our community and our world. This defining goal attracts a team that sees medicine as a calling. We open offices in underserved areas and offer convenient Saturday appointments, because we are available where and when patients need us.

Whether it’s donating 100% of the proceeds from our Clara skincare shop to charity, volunteering in the community, serving humanitarian missions around the world or simply providing patients with our cell phone numbers, Vanguard genuinely

cares about making an impact on people’s lives. Vanguard has nine offices throughout Southern Colorado,

including locations in Colorado Springs, Cañon City, Castle Rock, La Junta, Pueblo and Woodland Park. Vanguard offers Dermatology,

www.vanguardskin.com. 

HDR ENGINEERING

Doing things right to make great things possible

SPONSORED FEATURE

We believe the way we work adds meaning and value to the world. Ideas inspire change, coloring outside the lines illuminates fresh perspectives, and attention to small details yields important realizations. Collaboration is the best way forward. As employee-owners of the company, we are proud to

contribute to the places in which we live, work and play.

HDR is proud to call Colorado home. As one of the largest engineering firms and an active member of the Colorado Springs community since 1957, we have more than 13,000 employees in over 200 offices around the globe. We offer exciting career advancement opportunities in transportation, water, federal, architecture, and so much more.

LOCAL OFFICES, LOCAL EXPERIENCE, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

HDR has been operating in Colorado for over 65 years. With employees living and working throughout the Front Range, our team members are passionate about bringing excellent services to our communities.

Visit www.hdrinc.com. 

JAXON ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE

GOAL HIGH

SCHOOL Motivate, elevate, graduate!

SPONSORED FEATURE

GOAL High School, a statewide charter, authorized by District 49, has again been named a Gazette 2024 Best Workplace for positive culture.

“The recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team,” said CEO Constance Jones, with pride. “Excellence, well-being, and leadership go hand in hand at GOAL High School”

GOAL serves more than 1,300 students in five Colorado Springs locations, offering a personalized model combining online learning with in-person instruction. GOAL strives to develop productive members of society through a supportive environment.

Social Emotional Specialist Keri Hollon loves that the team is “entirely committed to student success, no matter what.” English Teacher Elise Hoover-King feels like she “can be (herself) without fear of judgment. It’s an inclusive environment.” Dean Arrica Gilmer enjoys “re-evaluating how to best assist the population of humans we are blessed enough to serve.” 

A distinguished leader in Electromagnetic Pulse

SPONSORED FEATURE

People want to work at Jaxon because of the work that they do, but they stay for the exceptional culture.

Founded in 2009, Jaxon is a small business defense contractor that provides the highest quality Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) products and services to its DoD and commercial clients all over the Allied world. Jaxon’s 100,000-squarefoot facility off Mark Dabling and I-25 on the west side of Colorado Springs was designed by Echo Architects in 2019 to redefine how defense contracting looks in our city. The new design emphasizes form and function, intended to attract customers and employees as well as provide highly productive manufacturing and engineering capability for Jaxon clients. For the last seven years, Jaxon has continued to grow at 20% rate and currently provides over 130 premium jobs in our city.

hardening and survivability

around ownership of their individual responsibilities. This low touch, high trust environment allows people to take calculated risk and accepts occasional failure without blame. Jaxon hires great people and entrusts them with freedom and resources to grow themselves and the company.

Jaxon leads defense and aerospace in providing a level of unreasonable hospitality for its customers and its people. Food trucks, project celebrations, poker nights, pop-up parties and customer happy hours will keep people from the company and the community gathered at Jaxon even hours after the workday closes. Jaxon understands that giving people more than they expect provides their people true purpose beyond the critical work they perform.

The unmatched culture coupled with the critical nature of its work is what makes Jaxon special. 

Ramona Ellison-Lewis, Counseling Assistant (left), and Loren Lee, Colorado Springs Lead Counselor, are all smiles.

The leadership at Jaxon has built the culture around two cultural pillars — Trust and Hospitality.

From the moment the people start their first day they understand that productivity and growth centers

ROCK YOUR FAMILY

Christian clinical therapy for people and families of all ages and sizes

“ Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

– Jesus (Matt. 7:24)

Rock Your Family understands that in our complex world there is great need for support. Their Christian Clinical Counseling team helps individuals, couples and families grow stronger and closer, resolve conflict, improve communication, enhance their mood, overcome abuse, and heal from trauma or loss.

They meet clients where they are — with care, confidence and wisdom. Their work is not just their job; it is their calling and passion. Clients seeking sound therapeutic interventions, strategies and skills will find a listening ear and therapeutically sound advice at their two Colorado Springs locations.

Rock Your Family offers a dynamic, holistic, experiential and

cognitive perspective that serves the whole person, through faith, science and psychology. Offerings include counseling services (family, marriage, individual, telehealth and group), intensive retreats, recovery programs and psychological evaluations and assessments, as well as men’s and women’s groups, all of which are spiritually rooted. Imagine growing individually and collectively against a backdrop of the Rockies, through teambuilding, ropes courses, hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing and activities on the water. You can, with Rock Your Family’s experiential counseling options and intensive therapeutic retreats!

Let Rock Your Family help you firm up your family foundation, overcome hurdles and discover new paths to happiness. Counseling is confidential and personalized. Learn to reconnect and revitalize your relationships — with yourself, with others, and with God. You can also check out the Rock Your Family blog for information and inspiration at rockyourfamily.org/ category/blog/.

Hope and healing are just a phone call away at 719-362-0796! Free consultations are available. Transformations start at Rock Your Family — in-person and online Telehealth appointments are available by appointment only.

APOGEE ENGINEERING, LLC

Achieve peak performance

At Apogee, we are committed to delivering defense and national security solutions that consistently achieve peak performance. With 20 years of experience and a team of over 600 passionate experts, we provide agile, energetic, and exceptional support to our customers every day.

Since our founding in 2004, Apogee has fostered a culture where people feel connected, are inspired by leadership to engage fully, and are driven by their passion for excellence. This commitment empowers us to deliver outstanding service and innovative solutions to our clients.

SAMTEC

Headquartered in Colorado Springs and Dayton, Ohio, with multiple regional offices across the U.S., Apogee offers unparalleled expertise across portfolios, including digital transformation, adaptive acquisitions, science & technology, and mission operations.

We’re always looking for forward-thinking professionals with a reputation for innovation and dedication to client success. If that sounds like you, we’d love to meet you!

Explore your next career at www.ApogeeUSA/Careers 

DAVIDSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Integrated solutions for our nation’s security

At Davidson, we’re Built to Defend, harnessing emerging technologies and Agile principles to drive the rapid development of customer-centric solutions. Our core capabilities are bolstered by cuttingedge AI and Optimization strategies, enabling us to deliver solutions that exceed expectations and address the most complex challenges.

With a proven track record of superior performance through Hardware, Software and

Engineering Solutions, Davidson stands as a reliable partner poised to deliver the next generation of technical solutions.

We are committed to contributing to the safety and security of the United States both now and into the future, ensuring our nation remains at the forefront of technological advancement and defense readiness. Visit www.davidson-tech.com to learn more. 

A global leader in advanced electronic interconnect solutions, rooted in service, and invested in our people and communities

SPONSORED FEATURE

Headquartered in New Albany, Ind., Samtec is a privately-owned, global leader in electronic interconnect manufacturing. We are committed to providing unparalleled service, innovative technologies and leading-edge solutions that exceed industry expectations, while supporting the most demanding electronics applications.

With more than 8,000 employees in over 40 locations around the world, we continue to grow as a company, while staying true to our service roots.

Samtec Microelectronics:

Established in 2012, the Colorado Springs facility employs more than 125 Engineering, Operations and Human Resources Associates. The facility supports Samtec’s global Optics, Microelectronics Packaging and Glass Core Technology product lines.

Culture & Benefits: Samtec’s work environment is friendly, flexible, family-oriented and fun. Our benefits

reflect this as well, with a range of options and versatility to help support a healthy and happy work/life balance. As part of our commitment to our employees, Samtec also offers career growth opportunities, on-thejob training, educational support, technology assistance, personal and professional development, mental wellness, and paid parental leave.

We care deeply about making our communities better places to live, work, play and attain an education. We actively look for ways to lend a hand, both in time and money. The Colorado Springs facility specifically has supported the local community in a variety of ways over the years, including fundraising for the American Heart Association, collecting

backpacks for underprivileged school children, as well as donations for the Marine Toys For Tots program. Career & Co-Op Opportunities: In addition to professional opportunities, Samtec also offers a comprehensive co-op program designed to help prepare students for their future careers. Learn more at samtec.com/careers.

PENKHUS MOTOR COMPANY

Where nobody buys just one

At Penkhus Motor Company, we believe our employees are the backbone of our success, and we take pride in fostering a culture of appreciation and support. We understand that when our team members feel valued, they are empowered to provide exceptional service to our customers and community. Our commitment extends beyond the dealership; we actively engage with local initiatives that uplift our community. We also recognize that when community members come together to lend a hand, everyone

thrives. At Penkhus, we not only service and sell vehicles but also build lasting relationships that strengthen our hometown spirit.

Join us in celebrating our dedicated employees and the vibrant community we serve. Together, we can create a positive impact that resonates far beyond the showroom floor. Whether you need a new vehicle or expert service, Penkhus Motor Company is here for you — because when we support each other, we all do better. Visit www.bobpenkhus.com to learn more! 

DELTA SOLUTIONS & STRATEGIES

HOPE PHYSICAL THERAPY & WELLNESS

Dr. Chera Hope opened HOPE Physical Therapy & Wellness in 2016 with the MBA expertise of Adrian Hope, her Army Veteran husband. An experienced physical therapist who had worked in many different clinics throughout her husband’s military career, Dr. Hope had a vision for a more holistic, restorative, slower paced clinic; a space where other physical therapists could enjoy one on one time with clients.

After returning from living in the Dominican Republic for two years, where Dr. Hope volunteered at an orphanage for disabled children, she was passionate about — and committed to — starting something that mattered: a physical therapy clinic with a different vibe, that was mission driven and would continue to support the orphanage abroad and other local charities in Colorado Springs.

Eight years later, HOPE Physical Therapy has built an amazing team that makes a difference in people’s lives every day, offering HOPE to

Learn more about the individually tailored, holistic physical therapy treatments that HOPE Physical Therapy & Wellness delivers at www.hope4wellness.com.

Deepening skills and expanding breadth of experience

Colorado Springs-based defense contractor, Delta Solutions and Strategies (Delta), is an award-winning Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, founded in 2000.

Delta creates military training products, operations and maintenance, modeling and simulations, and professional and technical advisory and assistance services for the Department of Defense.

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, with satellite offices in Washington, D.C., Huntsville, Ala. and Los Angeles, Delta has more than 400 employees worldwide and over 180 subcontractors. More than 65% of their employees have served in uniform. In 2023, Delta was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Prime Contractor of the Year.

As the home to U.S. Space Command, multiple military installations and a history rooted in the growing defense sector, Colorado

Springs remains an attractive place to do, and grow, business, attracting top-tier talent who are dedicated to the mission.

By offering employees opportunities to work on specialized projects and dedicated missions that impact the expanding field of space defense, the company attracts exceptional talent that cares about customers, and the country.

Delta is a small business on the move. Their work is the topic of national policymaking and local economies, and at the crossroads to conversations that are critical to national security.

Whether it is their customers, their teammates or their community, Delta fosters a culture that puts people first. Their work evolves well beyond the task order, to building relationships and meaningful experiences with those in our atmosphere.

Interested in a career at Delta? Visit deltasands.com. 

EMPLOYERS COUNCIL

Setting the stage for longterm business success

Colorado Springs’ premier advertising agency

SPONSORED FEATURE

Exceptional workplaces start with great people. Employers Council has been a trusted partner for organizations since 1939, helping employers create environments where teams thrive and businesses excel.

Our team of employment attorneys and HR consultants collaborate with organizations to address the challenges of employment law, human resources and organizational growth. We offer comprehensive support, including compliance guidance, leadership development, training programs and compensation planning. We customize every approach to reflect the unique needs of your organization.

With Employers Council by your side, you gain the tools and expertise to tackle workplace challenges with confidence. We’re dedicated to supporting your success, providing personalized solutions that strengthen your organization and enable a culture of inclusivity and growth.

Together, we’ll build a strong, dynamic team that drives sustainable success for your business. Explore more at EmployersCouncil.org. 

LASTING PAWS PET MEMORIAL SERVICES

The best in pet aftercare

WIRENUT HOME SERVICES

Enriching lives through trust

SPONSORED FEATURE

In today’s tough economic times, it can be hard to find companies that truly have your best interests at heart. That’s why you can count on WireNut Home Services to go the extra mile to make sure you — and your investments — are protected.

Since our founding in 2004, we have built a reputation on three core principles: outstanding customer service, high-quality products, and excellent value. We know that when we deliver on these promises, our customers are more likely to appreciate our work and share their positive experiences with friends and family.

We are proud to be a locally owned and family-operated business, dedicated to supporting our community. At WireNut, our team consists of hardworking, honest Coloradans who are committed to offering the best service possible. Whether you need the skills of our

expert electricians, the expertise of our professional plumbers or the know-how of our skilled HVAC technicians, you can trust that we’ll treat your home like it’s our own. Choosing a local company like WireNut means investing back into

ADOLFSON & PETERSON CONSTRUCTION

the community and supporting a business that genuinely cares. We are grateful for every customer and every recommendation, and we are committed to maintaining the high standards that have set us apart from the competition.

When you choose WireNut, you’re not just choosing a service — you’re choosing a partner that values quality, integrity and trust. We look forward to serving you and proving why we are the trusted choice for your electrical, plumbing and HVAC needs. 

Building trust, communities and people

SPONSORED FEATURE

Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) is a family-owned general contracting and construction management company that has been in business since 1946. We have built several important buildings throughout Colorado Springs over the years (Woodland Park Aquatics, Vandenberg Hall Renovations at the United States Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak BOCES Renovations, and St. Francis Tenant Improvements) and recently opened a dedicated office to serve Southern Colorado. We take pride in building essential components of our communities, including higher education and K-12 education projects; recreation centers; and police and fire support, healthcare, manufacturing, and commercial facilities.

What makes AP truly special is our dedicated team, committed to delivering exceptional quality and creating outstanding client experiences. Our success has been built on the foundation of trust,

strong values and our mission to enrich the communities and empower our people. We prioritize safety, enthusiasm, creativity, absolute integrity, respect and enjoying life.

With community at the heart of our mission, our employees are actively involved across local initiatives, from heritage foundations and events to partnerships with the Downtown Partnership, the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, and through charitable giving and other organizations. We give through volunteer events throughout the year, which also serve as valuable team-building opportunities. Each employee receives time off for volunteering, in addition to their paid time off to give back in ways that are personally meaningful.

AP is honored to be considered as a Best Workplace and we are committed to our mission of building people, striving to earn this recognition year after year. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOP 2024 BEST WORKPLACES

EXTRA-LARGE COMPANIES | 300+ EMPLOYEES

1. The Resource Exchange

2. Harrison School District 2

LARGE COMPANIES | 76–299 EMPLOYEES

1. Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)

2. Skyview Middle School

3. Vanguard Skin Specialists

4. Bryan Construction Inc.

5. Jaxon Engineering & Maintenance

6. Delta Solutions & Strategies

MIDSIZE COMPANIES | 30–75 EMPLOYEES

1. ExoAnalytic Solutions

2. Basis Partners

3. Bright Futures Psychiatry

4. Omni Federal

5. Davidson Technologies, Inc.

6. Raft, LLC

SMALL COMPANIES | 10–29 EMPLOYEES

1. HOPE Physical Therapy & Wellness

2. Adolfson & Peterson Construction

3. Simply Kids Dental

4. Alpine Contracting

5. Springs Law Group

6. Unlimited Bodywork

THE GAZETTE CONGRATULATES ALL OF THE 2024 BEST WORKPLACES

SMALL COMPANIES

Acuity Innovations LLC

Adam and Son Auto Repair, LLC

ADD STAFF, Inc.

Adolfson & Peterson

Alpine Contracting

Altia

Better Business Bureau

Budget Blinds of Greater Colorado Springs

Burn Boot Camp Northgate

Caliola Engineering, LLC

Campbell Homes

Casco Construction Corp

Children’s HopeChest

Colorado Computer Support IT Pros

Colorado High Tech Solutions

Community Health Partnership

Cordera Family Dentistry

David Weekley Homes

Dynamic Physical Therapy

Employers Council

Gaddie Electric

HOPE Physical Therapy & Wellness

Lasting Paws Pet Memorial Services

Long Capture

Mulliken Weiner Berg & Jolivet P.C.

Olive Real Estate Group, Inc.

Omega Metalworks, LLC

Pikes Peak United Way

Plant Engineering Consultants, Inc.

PlayTime Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers of Colorado Springs

Revolution Jewelry Works

Rock Your Family, LLC

Simply Kids Dental

Skin Cancer and Dermatology Center

Springs Law Group

TCA, Inc.

TEC Solutions

The Contents Company

Thrivent

Unlimited Bodywork

Young Scholars Academy

MIDSIZE COMPANIES

AdPro

Basis Partners

Bright Futures Psychiatry

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado

Colorado Springs Therapy Center

Dart Wars

Davidson Technologies, Inc.

ExoAnalytic Solutions

Galloway & Company, Inc.

Griffith Centers

Groundworks

Heating & Plumbing Engineers, Inc.

HOMEfix

Homes of Expansion Network

IntelliTec College, Colorado Springs Campus

ITS, LLC

Luisa Graff Jewelers

McCloskey Motors

Omni Federal

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments

Raft, LLC

S-5! Metal Roof Innovations

Springs Dentistry

The Independence Center

Torch Technologies

USAFA Foundation and Association of Graduates

Vantage Homes Corp

Wishing U Well, Inc.

Xledger Inc

Zivaro Inc.

LARGE COMPANIES

Air Academy Credit Union

Apogee Engineering, LLC

Bluestaq

Bryan Construction Inc.

Colorado ENT & Allergy

Colorado Health Network

Colorado Springs Airport

Delta Solutions & Strategies

Embrave

Farm Credit of Southern Colorado

Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

GOAL High School

HDR Engineering, Inc

Jaxon Engineering & Maintenance

Merit Academy

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)

Outreach, Inc.

Penkhus Motor Company

Samtec

Skyview Middle School

Vanguard Skin Specialists

WireNut Home Services

EXTRA-LARGE COMPANIES

Harrison School District 2

The Resource Exchange