Category: Best Places To Work 2010
Best Places To Work 2010
This is the eighth year that Inside Business has honored companies in Hampton Roads as being among the Best Places to Work. How a company treats its most valuable asset – its employees – says a lot about the company.
Hall of Fame companies have been named an overall winner, were listed in the top 10 for at least two consecutive years in a row in which they were able to compete or received a Best Places to Work honor four years in a row.
Armada Hoffler
No. 7 2007
No. 6 2006
No. 8 2005
Ch2M Hill
No. 4 2007
(not allowed to enter 2006)
No. 1 2005
Cherry Bekaert & Holland LLP
No. 3 Small company 2009
No. 1 Small company 2008
Top 25 2006 and 2005
SwimWays is a company that works hard and plays hard. "Working as a team is of the utmost importance," said Kim Coats, human resource manager. "If our employees are satisfied, they are more productive and happy. Happy employees are more likely to produce fun, exciting and quality products even under the time constraints we often have."
Since 1994, SwimWays has grown to become a worldwide manufacturer of toys and recreational water products, portable outdoor furniture, and sporting goods. The company is headquartered in Virginia Beach.
Damuth Trane values what every one of its 180 employees thinks about the company. So the Hampton Roads franchise for Trane, a global provider of indoor comfort systems, makes it easy for its people to be heard.
Sure, there's a suggestion box.
And more.
Each associate participates in training that gives employees the tools to make suggestions that will improve the company and its products. Good ideas come not just from corner offices, Damuth's managers believe.
Delivering on commitments and honoring promises is good policy for any company. At AAA Tidewater, employees make that policy part of their everyday lives.
"We accept responsibility for our actions inside and outside of AAA Tidewater," said John D'Angelo, vice president of human resources. "We convey respect for the dignity of all people and all our relationships are based on mutual respect."
At the top of the T-Solutions Inc. webpage is a statement from CEO James Todd. "When an employee calls and asks for anything, we always start with a 'Yes.'" This emphasis on staff is just part of what makes the company special, according to General Manager Madonna Bossa.
"The success of T-Solutions is due to our very special employee family," Bossa said. "We are a caring family of accomplished professionals supporting each other and helping our community."
Like other companies on this list, Innovations in Transportation Inc., or INIT, says that its family atmosphere makes it a great place to work. "Even though you could find an array of cultural, religious or ethnic backgrounds within the INIT team, it's the camaraderie, respect and appreciation for each member of the team, and even some healthy ribbing, that describes the interaction within our group," said Ann Derby, the company's marketing manager. "No lines, no division just one family."
From flexible scheduling and telecommuting to action-packed activities throughout the year, IssueTrak Inc. takes advantage of every opportunity to make work as much fun as it can be. Nerf-gun wars and a casual dress code are just two examples of how CEO Hank Luhring puts employee satisfaction and comfort among his top priorities.
Valuing its employees is how Spectrum, a veteran-owned small business, stays on top of its game. "If employees don't feel self-worth and a sense of truly being part of a team, a company will fail," said Steve LaFata, senior vice president of business relations.
Spectrum follows guidelines that make employees feel part of the decision-making process.
Valkyerie Enterprises opened for business in August 2007, with President/CEO Gary Lisota, Vice President of Operations Danny Redmon and just five staff members on board.
Within six months, there were 37 employees. By the end of 2009, there were five locations across the country. By spring 2010, Valkyrie had grown into a $10 million company and welcomed its 100th employee.
Lisota said the goal is to surpass $100 million in the next five years.
"That would be close to record-breaking growth," he said.
