Career Builder Top Companies To Work For 2014 tab by LOCALiQ

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TO WORK FOR

IN ARIZONA

Great state. Great news. Great place to work. Thank you, Schwab employees, for once again naming us a Top Workplace in Arizona.

Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our company values. Our commitment to clients. Our diversity and inclusiveness. Our concern for employee well-being. Or maybe all those things combined make Schwab a different !"1& 0$ "1'%,*2%1* +-2 .1& . /3.(% 0)- %2/30#%%, really like to work. How about you? Is Schwab your kind of workplace? Visit aboutschwab.com/careers.

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TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 3

Recognizing the best of the best

Exceptional companies promote Arizona as a leader in great places to work

orking in close collaboration, CareerBuilder, Republic Media and BestCompaniesAZ — an Arizona-based consulting

“ Our goal with Top Companies is to assist in

ﬁrm that specializes in identifying, developing and promoting best

advancing Arizona into

companies — have produced the second annual CareerBuilder’s Top

the future as a leader in

Companies to Work for in Arizona publication. Filled with a wealth of

creating quality successful

information, this initiative (the only statewide program of its kind),

companies.”

identiﬁes companies that have achieved top rankings in employer

— John Zidich, CEO and Publisher, The Arizona Republic

practices, employee engagement and satisfaction scores.

Attracting top talent

“Our goal with Top Companies is to assist in advancing Arizona into the future as a leader in creating quality successful companies,” said John Zidich, Chief Executive Ofﬁcer and Publisher of The Arizona Republic. “In 2014, we’d like to build upon our successful momentum in making Arizona a best state to work, positively impacting our local economy and attracting

the top talent all businesses need to succeed.” Ryan Mote, Director of Recruitment Sales for Republic Media, said that as the job market becomes more competitive, it’s imperative for employers to set themselves apart from their competitors. “Quality candidates are becoming increasingly selective in where they work,” Mote said. “This program allows us to help local

companies showcase the strength of their organizations, while providing information to potential candidates in the Phoenix market that will help them make educated decisions on where to work.” Denise Gredler, Founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ, agreed, adding that as the competition for employees continues to intensify and companies begin to rampup hiring, being named one of the Top Companies will serve as a positive employer branding, recruitment and retention tool.

BY PAULA HUBBS COHEN

Impressive scores

“Last year’s Top Companies set the bar high for great places to work,” said Cami Kaiser, General Manager of Republic Media Custom Publishing and Magazines. “The benchmark they created defined some specific goals for other companies to consider, including offering affordable healthcare options, providing a supportive work environment, being family-friendly and having a diverse workforce. Additionally, offering competitive compensation and perks such as tuition assistance and generous paidtime-off were all benefits that employees felt made their company a desirable place to work.” What’s more, Kaiser noted that companies who are making the ‘top’ list for women often included leadership programs specifically designed for women as well as a network of women’s mentoring programs. Gredler said that in 2013, the first year of Top Companies, 50 companies were recognized as the inaugural Top Companies with an impressive favorable employee engagement score of 92 percent. “This year, the list has grown to 75 companies that all have employee engagement scores at these

4 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

high levels,” she said. “It’s important to note that national averages are approximately 33 percent, while worldwide average engagement is 13 percent, per Gallup.”

Important partnerships

To produce Top Companies to Work for in Arizona, CareerBuilder, which is published by The Arizona Republic, partnered with BestCompaniesAZ and Best Companies Group, a national research ﬁrm that specializes in identifying great places to work. “Collectively, our companies strongly believe that by identifying and recognizing the exceptional companies that strengthen our local economies, we will help decisionmakers and employees alike realize that Arizona is a leading state in top jobs,” Kaiser said.

Goals of Top Companies to Work for in Arizona • Create and publish a highly credible list of the top employers in Arizona valued by employees and management • Foster a healthy competitive spirit among Valley businesses for improving workplaces in Arizona • Create a benchmark for 2014 that will help raise workplace standards throughout Arizona • Help Arizona attract and retain a talented workforce • Promote Arizona’s best employment opportunities to attract new workers • Provide a learning environment for all Arizona employers to learn from the best

Vi B

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

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lurring the line between retirement and resort living, Vi owns, develops and manages luxury senior living communities. Vi (pronounced “Vee,” the Latin root for life) believes that moving into a retirement community should be seen as a positive enhancement to a person’s lifestyle. Residents live in comfortable, stylish and maintenance-free homes, have weekly housekeeping services, and enjoy fine dining prepared by chefs that have received training from Culinary Institute of America. Residents also have a wealth of opportunities to stay active and engaged. Vi communities

Employer Benchmark Data Report Available to all readers, the Employment Benchmark Data Report offers a sample of company averages on standard employee beneﬁts and best practices. The report encompasses all participants, including those that made the “Top Companies” list. For more information or to purchase a copy of the report, visit bestcompaniesaz.com or call 480-545-5151 for more information.

also offer services like assisted living, Alzheimer’s/memory support care, and skilled nursing care so residents can remain in the community and close to their spouse, friends and neighbors, even as their care needs change. As recipient of Learning Elite award, Training Magazine Top 125 designation and E-Learning Magazine’s Top 100 award, Vi has also been recognized for their award-winning employee training and development for a fourth year in a row.

Vi awarded over $148,000 in scholarships to its employees in 2013.

Follow your heart. Lead with your heart. Choose a career that gives back: careersatdignityhealth.com/AZ Dignity Health is a proud sponsor and supporter of the “2014 CareerBuilder Top Companies to Work For in Arizona” program. On behalf of our entire organization and our four Arizona facilities — Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Westgate Medical Center — we congratulate this year’s Top Companies. As an organization that’s passionate about leading the way through humankindness, Dignity Health is honored to be part of this prestigious ceremony. In all of our facilities, we foster an environment that rewards teamwork and inclusion. We offer every individual the chance to learn, grow and become an ambassador of humankindess. The “Top Companies to Work For” are helping to create a bright future for Arizona and our local communities. Once again, we offer our heartfelt congratulations from everyone at Dignity Health! EOE To learn more about Dignity Health in Arizona, visit us at careersatdignityhealth.com/AZ

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6 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies methodology

How the data was ascertained and compiled

BY PAULA HUBBS COHEN

est Companies Group developed an employer questionnaire as

Core focus areas

well as an employee engagement and satisfaction survey. These

The Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey was broken down into eight core focus areas:

two research instruments provided information that became the basis of the data report as well as for selection as a ‘Top Company’.

Research instruments Part I: Best Companies Group Employer Questionnaire

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.

1 Leadership and Planning 2 Culture and Communications 3 Role Satisfaction 4 Work Environment 5 Relationship with Supervisor 6 Training and Development 7 Pay and Beneﬁts 8 Overall Engagement

Macy’s Credit and Customer Services is hiring! SEASONAL FULL AND PART TIME SHIFTS $10.00 – $12.50 PER HOUR/DOE Scan the QR Code to find out more. Apply on your phone or online at macysJOBS.com. Select Call Center and Arizona in the red bar, click search and fill out the online application. If you’re unable to fill out the application, call (480) 929-3000 for more information. Equal opportunity for all. © Macy’s Credit and Customer Services, 2013.

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Top Company selection criteria

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 engagement surveys • 25 percent of the evaluation was based on the scores obtained from the employer questionnaire.

How does your company measure up? 2014 Top Company winners’ employee survey results average an overall favorable rate of 88 percent and an overall employee engagement score of 91 percent. — Source: Denise Gredler, Founder and CEO, BestCompaniesAZ, LLC

TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 7

Companies that offer awesome perks that employees want

Creating a work environment that promotes the perfect work-life balance

ompany perks may not grow on trees, but

It’s not your typical old-school 9-to-5 situation

they seem to be sprouting up everywhere

anymore. Competition is steep to ﬁnd and keep

BY RHONA MELSKY

these days. Some of Arizona’s top companies

the best talent, so companies are stepping up

are pulling out all the stops for their employees

their game by creating environments that provide

by providing juicy extras so they can be front

the perfect work-life balance. The right balance

and center.

means productive employees – employees who want to be at their job. In the end, that is what pays off for employer and employee.

Medical benefits and Nerf ball Over the years companies have gone from the typical offering of medical benefits and life insurance to adding on perks such as in-house massages, quarterly bonuses, extra PTO, and even game rooms and Nerf ball fights. Here are 10 companies that are breaking the mold of the traditional workplace: 1 Alliance Residential Company offers eligible associates discounts on apartment units. Associates also have access to discounted corporate suites when traveling. Alliance InStyle (the company’s wardrobe allowance program) provides career apparel choices from major retailers. Also available are free chair massages and healthy lifestyle coaching through the company’s healthcare provider. 2 Discover Financial Services has an on-site EAP counselor so employees can save time and money when they need an appointment. The company also has an elaborate contest where employees can win trips to events such as the Discover Orange Bowl and the Rose Bowl Parade and game.

THINKSTOCK

3 Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa offers free daily hot meals in the employee dining room. The Employee and Manager of the Year award winner receives a prize that includes a trip for two including airfare, an extra week of vacation, $500 spending money, $500 in food and beverage credit, and six nights in a Hyatt hotel. 4 Intuit features perks for a healthy lifestyle. A Fit for Life incentive is available to employees who exercise and maintain an optimal weight. They can receive a $650 per ﬁscal year reimbursement incentive award to help defray the cost of a gym membership.

8 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

5 Banner Casa Grande Regional Medical Center shows that time off is important as it provides compressed, expanded and seasonal schedules; ﬂex hours; job sharing; leaves of absence; extra time off; PTO sharing; overtime if desired, and phased retirement to accommodate a variety of needs. Bilingual? Employees can take advantage of free onsite basic and advanced Spanish classes. 6 First Fidelity Bank NA employees receive free banking services and reduced rate personal loans. Fidelity is there for employees during catastrophic events with the First Fidelity Bank Family Foundation, which provides assistance in times of need.

7 AppointmentPlus pays 100 percent of the employee premium on health insurance. The company supports women and their professional growth through its Women In Technology Committee. 8 Axosoft, LLC perks include AxoFit inhouse fitness classes, AxoFarm in-office garden of herbs and veggies, and a Zen Room with full body massage chair. 9 MassMutual Arizona offers its top producers trips to exciting destinations such as Paris, Monte Carlo, Boston, Sicily and San Francisco. A flexible work schedule and monthly themed luncheons are available for the entire agency. 10 ethology provides a $250 paid vacation bonus and Taco Tuesdays once a month. Nerf guns and company-wide scavenger hunts keep employees in the game.

Referral has its rewards

Tell a friend and get a bonus at Alliance Residential. That is another company perk available to employees who refer a candidate to a speciﬁc position through its referral program. Most positions are available for a referral bonus if candidates are hired and stay on for 90 days. The perks and company culture are some of the things that attract great talent. Greta Schneider, Director of Talent, says the company also uses a lot of fun videos that are posted on pages such as LinkedIn and Glass Door to portray the company’s culture. “A lot of times candidates refer to the videos and say they were fun and engaging showing it is a place they can thrive in as far as a work environment,” she says, adding that “people attracted to Alliance are looking for an environment that is innovative, has room for advancement and has the ability to make an impact on a daily basis.”

Discovering Opportunities and Research Job search is becoming increasingly comparable to consumer buying behavior. Similarly to how consumers check product reviews, candidates are researching potential employers using a wide range of resources. The majority of workers come across new jobs in three ways: 85% ........ Online Search 75% ........ Traditional Networking 69%........ Job Boards

Emily Piraino

Discover Financial Services T

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1986 # of Employees in Arizona: 2,504 David Nelms, Chairman & CEO www.discoverﬁnancial.com 2402 W. Beardsley Rd. • Phoenix (623) 643-6000

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he Discover Phoenix location contains many functions supporting our direct bank and payments businesses. These include customer service, credit management, consumer lending (student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, etc.), deposit products and fraud operations. Discover’s industry-leading customer service and employee loyalty is fueled by their commitment to creating a rewarding work environment with emphasis placed on actively living the company’s values of Doing the Right Thing, Innovation,

Simplicity, Collaboration, Openness, Volunteerism, Enthusiasm, and Respect. Annually, top performing Discover employees earn a trip to Chicago where the company hosts an awards banquet in their honor. Employee career growth and the development of talent are paramount to Discover’s success, with extensive opportunities including active mentoring, internships, and advanced leadership and development programs.

The Orange Pride Committee gives away premium items on “Orange Out Days” to all employees for showing Discover Pride.

GoDaddy

At GoDaddy, we will radically shift the global economy toward small business by empowering people to easily start, confidently grow and successfully run their own ventures.

GoDaddy

rom the day GoDaddy opened as a start-up in 1997, the company has focused on offering top-notch products and exceptional customer care. Now, with more than 12 million paying customers, GoDaddy is the world’s largest technology provider dedicated to small businesses. GoDaddy offers everything people need to make a name for themselves on the Web, including domain names, website builders, productivity tools, Web hosting and security and complete e-commerce solutions. “GoDaddy gives people an easy, affordable way to get their ideas online,” said GoDaddy’s Chief People Officer Auguste Goldman. “We’re here to help people easily start, confidently grow and successfully

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run their own ventures. GoDaddy can also be your personal IT consultant, making building a website easy and affordable.” GoDaddy’s commitment to customer care sets it apart from the competition, Goldman said. If a customer has a problem or question at 2 a.m. on a holiday, it’s no problem; the friendly knowledgeable, and award-winning team is always ready to give customers as much time and care as they need. “You can call GoDaddy anytime of the day or night and talk to a real person who can help you.” “GoDaddy tends to attract some of the best and the brightest people in the industry, Goldman said, adding that the company’s many perks and benefits makes it an outstanding place

to work. From flexible time off, a child care discount and domestic partner benefits to newly designed offices complete with large screen HDTVs, on-site cafeterias and well-stocked refrigerators with free beverages and snacks. “GoDaddy attracts some of the best and brightest people, so it only makes sense to ensure employees have the best experience every day and be a part of something special,” Goldman said. “This is a great place to work because we are filled with thousands of exceptionally talented and passionate individuals where we work hard and we play hard.”

Where: Scottsdale Year Established in Arizona: 1997 # of Employees in Arizona: 3073 Total Employees: 4201 Blake Irving, CEO www.GoDaddy.com 14455 N. Hayden Rd. #219 • Scottsdale (480) 505-8800

10 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

PROFILE OF A JOB CANDIDATE The days of the passive job seeker are over. Now, nearly 8 in 10 workers search for new opportunities on a routine basis.

77% 40%

of full-time employed workers are either actively searching for a new job or open to new opportunities. say they search for new job opportunities during the day while at work.

65%

say they will leave a company website that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mobile optimized.

resources are used on average while searching for a job.

SOURCE: CAREERBUILDER.COM

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THANK

YOU FOR MAKING F RY ’ S A SPECIAL PLACE TO WORK AND SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS ! We are proud to be named a Top Company to Work for in Arizona!

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12 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

SPOTLIGHT 25 TO 99 U.S. EMPLOYEES

Arizona Team

Emphasizes leadership development, unique culture

BY MICHAEL FERRARESI

ots of companies claim to cultivate talent. But at Arizona Team, grooming the next generation of sales and marketing managers is a daily commitment. For the past three years, the Phoenix-based ﬁrm has provided a suite of services for client companies like CenturyLink. Arizona Team employees specialize in strategic sales, marketing, corporate communications, and other business-development practices that many companies outsource for. To prepare employees, a great emphasis is placed on leadership development, since Arizona Team employees are often asked to impart senior-level business acumen to clients in need of services in those areas. However, the atmosphere at Arizona Team is loose and youthful. Employees work hard and play hard, often getting together for company team-building outings and community service projects at places like St. Mary’s Food Bank and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Employees actually hang out together in their free time because the company’s culture promotes the concept

of unlimited upward mobility. Managers refuse to call themselves managers. “I feel like I work more for them than they work for me,” said Katie Castignetti, who’s technically a hiring manager responsible for training many of Arizona Team’s 50 employees. Rather, she and other Arizona Team leaders see themselves as coaches or mentors who dedicate entire days to teaching soft skills necessary to excel in sales and marketing. On the other hand, sales tactics might get 20 minutes a day. Arizona Team was also named one of the 2013 Careerbuilder Top Companies to Work For in Arizona. Castignetti said the company emphasizes growing entry level staffers into thoughtful business representatives. For CenturyLink, Arizona Team staffers assist customers who would prefer face-to-face interaction rather than phoning or emailing questions. Providing a reliable “face behind the product,” Castignetti said, is essential for building customer conﬁdence. “Everything revolves around integrity,” she said. “Our main focus is not to do sales. It’s to take care of customers.”

(From left) Moises Morales, Nadine Swartz, Katie Castignetti and Matt Osborne.

Emily Piraino

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: 225

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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 ROC262385, ROC093021, ROC102736, ROC255110

At the first Arizona La-Z-Boy store opening in 1983, Dallas LA-Z-BOY FURNITURE GALLERIES OF ARIZONA

Cowboys middle linebacker Bob Breunig (brother of original owner Ed Breunig) made a guest appearance, signed autographs and gave a trip for two to a Dallas Cowboys football game.

La-Z Boy Furniture Galleries of Arizona O n April 28, 1983, the first 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 Resource and Development. Fast forward three decades, there are now 10 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries throughout the state that employ over 220 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 AR-0008213799-01

brand and recognition, but we also have the feel of a family.” 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.” “Our 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. They also sell Bedroom, Dining room and home décor.

“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.” Our Company project Till said La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries of Arizona has been working with focused diligence for four years on becoming “The Greatest Retail Show on Earth.” We believe in striving for Perfection and as one unified team dedicated to improving the work and lives of each other, our customers, and our community!

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1983 # of Employees in Arizona: 220+ Ed Breunig, III Owner/CEO www.la-z-boy.com/arizona 4135 E. Cotton Center Blvd. • Phoenix (602) 426-5292

14 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Companies give back to the community

Employees, businesses come together to help Valley residents in need

or businesses in Arizona, giving back to the community that has given them so much in return comes as naturally as closing a

business deal. Many companies recognize the importance of building a

strong foundation around the needs of their community, and they choose to use their time and money to help those in need around the Valley.

A twist on traditional policies

Many businesses, for example, have paid time off policies that allow employees to take time off of work to volunteer, often at an organization of that employee’s own choosing. Vanguard, an investment management company, gives each of its crew members one paid day off a year to dedicate to serving the community. Others, such as the Homeowner’s Financial Group, offer volunteer opportunities during work hours in which employees can give back to more than 30 charities every year. In addition to the ever-popular 401(k) matching programs that are mainstays at many companies, matching employees’ donations has started to gain traction among businesses. Burns & McDonnell, an engineering design firm, has a Corporate $75,000 Matching Gifts Program that supports its employees’ favorite charities, while Charles Schwab, a brokerage and banking company, will match charitable donations dollar for dollar, up to $1,000, every year. Intuit, Inc., a software company, not only offers up to $2,000 in matching donations, but 32 hours of paid time off every year for employees to volunteer Giving back can extend to a company’s own employees as well. Natural Partners Inc., for example, has a program called NattyP Angels Program. NattyP Angels helps employees who are suffering through financial and other personal hardships by offering them any type of help they need, whether it is a warm meal or a financial gift.

The spirit of the season

Charity comes alive during the holidays, and many of Arizona’s top companies get into the spirit of the season with their seasonal programs. Every year, St. Vincent de Paul collects food for families during Thanksgiving. Among the companies that have held food drives for the organization is Ryan LLC, a tax service ﬁrm, and MassMutual Arizona, an insurance company.

BY NICK KOSTENKO

During Christmas, Adopt-a-Family and Angel Tree programs are among the most popular charitable programs. Retailer Web Services, which maintains e-commerce websites, and WebPT, who create physical therapy software, both take part in Adopta-Family programs. Employees at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa take part in the “Santa to a Senior” program, in which employees provide Christmas gifts and personal items to senior citizens living in assisted living communities.

Forming a bond

Many companies, through their pool of employees, develop strong connections with certain charities in the Valley. For example Telesphere, a provider of business VoIP solutions, has close ties to the Greater Scottsdale Boys & Girls Clubs. For the previous two years, Telesphere has hosted and sponsored a golf tournament to beneﬁt

the clubs, and it has become one of the largest fundraisers of the year. Other companies are in a position to give back due to the unique nature of their business and the community members they meet on a daily basis. Verengo Solar, for example, has a program called Grid Alternatives that provides solar energy to low-income neighborhoods. As one of Downtown Phoenix’s most well-known hotels, the Hyatt Regency Phoenix hosts a number of banquets and events. Through their participation in the Chefs to End Hunger program, all leftover food from these events is picked up and distributed to Valley homeless shelters. Through volunteering, financial contributions and donations of muchneeded materials, those in need can always find help from local businesses. When Arizona’s top companies give back, everyone in the Valley benefits.

Community outreach extends to volunteering for various charitable programs which may include food, clothing and toy drives.

You want to work with the best. You belong here.

“We could not have done it without the amazing people who work for us. They are committed to our patients and give them the best care possible.” – Rona Curphy, CEO, Banner Casa Grande Medical Center

You want to work with an award-winning health care system. You want to experience the amenities of a big-city hospital right here in your own home town. You belong at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. As part of this wonderful community for 30 years, our exceptional people have helped us earn accolades for exceptional patient care across AZ and the U.S.

Our employees make it happen.

As a Banner Casa Grande Medical Center employee, you’ll beneﬁt from: – Flexible schedules – Competitive pay and beneﬁts – Award-winning leadership

Learn more at www.BannerHealth.com/careers. EOE/AA Banner Health supports a drugfree and tobacco-free work environment. AR-0008215882-01

Follow Banner Health Careers:

– Continual development – A strong, patient-focused environment – A short commute from Phoenix or Tucson

16 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

SPOTLIGHT 100 TO 999 U.S. EMPLOYEES

ZocDoc

Hiring employee talent to ‘make an impact on the world’

ZocDoc’s Scottsdale crew members.

BY MICHAEL FERRARESI

n today’s world of personalized healthcare, ZocDoc is a pioneer. The free online doctor-booking service provides mobile applications that allow people, with the swipe of a ﬁngertip across a smartphone or tablet, to search for healthcare professionals and book appointments in real-time. ZocDoc also recently launched a product that enables patients to register ahead of time and manage their information virtually. In March, the company — which is based in New York and Phoenix — announced plans to expand to every state in the U.S. by the end of the year. It quickly expanded from its humble start-up beginnings to employ more than 500 people that serve more than 5 million customers each month in more than 2,000 U.S. communities. Anna Elwood, ZocDoc’s Director of Operations, said the company doesn’t require employees to have a background in healthcare technology or digital media. ZocDoc is the type of company that hires the most talented people, period. The company’s overarching goal is to provide real people with more comprehensive access to healthcare.

A CAREER BUILT BY YOU.

BACKED BY US.

That requires a workforce ranging from web designers to salespeople dedicated to growing ZocDoc products that will help customers achieve easier access to qualified doctors, reviews of medical practices, wellness advice, and information about how to maximize their healthcare benefits. “We’re looking for people who really want to make an impact on the world,” said Elwood, who joined ZocDoc when it employed 20 people. “It’s important that we hire people who have the passion to put patients first,” she said. ZocDoc offers a workplace environment, a-la other tech start-ups, that includes video games and catered lunches — not to mention an unlimited vacation perk that allows employees to take the time they need when they need it. Employees are also welcome each Friday to attend a company town hall-like forum led by its executives where no critical question is off limits. “It’s been an incredible experience,” Elwood said. “The energy working for a fast-growing company is really exciting, really motivating.”

Whether you’ve plateaued in your current position or know that if you were calling the shots, you would be a whole lot further ahead – sometimes a decisive change is what’s needed to help yourself succeed. A career as a Financial Services Representative with MassMutual Arizona can offer you the control to hit lofty goals and help others with difficult financial decisions. Make the first decision, for yourself.

To learn more, contact: Jeffrey Dollarhide, CFP®, CLTC, CLU® General Agent CA Insurance License #0B53845 MassMutual Arizona 17550 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 450 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 480-538-2997 www.arizona.massmutual.com

LIFE INSURANCE + RETIREMENT/401(K) PLAN SERVICES + DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE + LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE + ANNUITIES

MassMutual Financial Group refers to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual), its affiliated companies and sales representatives. Local sales agencies are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. Financial Services Representatives are independent contractors and are not employees of MassMutual, its subsidiaries, or of General Agents with whom they contract. Insurance products issued by MassMutual (Springfield, MA 01111) and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Co. and MML Bay State Life Insurance Co. (Enfield, CT 06082). CRN201507-174403 AR-0008216552-01

TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 17

SPOTLIGHT 1,000 OR MORE U.S. EMPLOYEES

Ryan LLC

Work structure ﬂexibility allows employees to have work-life balance

eing a tax professional and having a personal life has often been mutually exclusive. Not at Ryan LLC. The award-winning global tax service firm has given new meaning to work-life success. Employees are not only given time to catch an occasional kid’s ball game or get a degree, but they can design their entire work-week to include professional and personal priorities. Ryan LLC is based in Dallas, but established a Scottsdale office in 2006. In addition to their revolutionary approach to employee schedules, they offer high job security, premium pay and ample opportunities for advancement. “The industry as a whole can create the kind of environment where you leave home on Monday and return home on Friday,” said Jon Sweet, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President for Ryan LLC. “We recognized that if we wanted to be a premiere firm and hire and retain the top talent, we had to create a work environment that allows people to balance the demands of personal and professional life with excellence.”

In 2008, Ryan LLC launched myRyan, a results-oriented model designed to achieve the highest level of client service and employee satisfaction. It is one of the most innovative models in the tax industry. “Our belief is if the client’s experience and results are on target, the employee can enjoy maximum ﬂexibility in designing their work week,” Sweet said. Ryan LLC recognizes that success oriented people have high aspirations for all areas of life. “People who want to operate at their highest level have a mindset that permeates all their life,” Sweet said. “They want to be the best employee, the best parent, the best spouse, the best community leader.” With more than 100 ofﬁces and 9,000 clients in more than 40 countries, Ryan LLC is the sixth largest corporate tax practice in the United States. “Our employees really appreciate what we do,” Sweet said. “We don’t just want this to be a job. We want to create a lifestyle for people so they are able to do all the things that are important to them and do them well.”

BY DOLORES TROPIANO

Jon Sweet, EVP and Vice Chair, Chief of Market Strategy.

Stryker Sustainability Solutions

Stryker Sustainability Solutions B

Where: Tempe Acquired by Stryker: 2009 # of Employees in Arizona: 270 Kevin Lobo, President & CEO www.sustainability.stryker.com 1810 W. Drake Dr. • Tempe (480) 763-5300

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y reprocessing medical devices, Stryker prevents thousands of items a year from ending up in landfills. The company collects single-use medical items like pulse oximeters from hospitals and other medical facilities. Typically, these devices are used once and then discarded. Reprocessing is regulated by the FDA. After reprocessing the medical devices to meet pre-determined acceptance criteria, Stryker sells the products back to hospitals at a reduced cost. This can help to free up funds that medical facilities can use

to purchase other equipment or hire additional staff. In addition to their unique business model, Stryker takes pride in the quality of their employees, who they note are among the best in the business. As the company’s first CEO said, it is important to hire people who are smart, work hard and get along. Stryker Sustainability Solutions’ 1000 employees definitely fit the bill.

Holiday events include Christmas cube decorating, Halloween dress-up day and a salsa making contest.

Secrets from the recruitment trenches

Trends recruitment/hiring managers are following to attract the best talent BY RHONA MELSKY

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.

t’s no secret that company hiring managers have to cast a wider net these days when trying to recruit the best talent. Not to mention it’s different out there. Long gone are the days of newspaper ads when job seekers put yellow highlighter to paper and cut out ads with a pair of scissors. Another newsﬂash: Simple job postings on websites also are old news. Recruiting today means getting down with the nitty-gritty of social media outlets, from Facebook and LinkedIn to Glassdoor and Yelp. Throw in mobile-ready company websites, on-site recruiting events, fun YouTube videos and a dash of the unconventional, and recruiters have all they need to catch the best talent.

For reservations, call 602 252 1234 or visit

Food, glorious food

Hold more than a meeting. Deliver an experience.

phoenix.hyatt.com. Hyatt. You’re More Than Welcome.

® AR-0008223328-01

Phoenix 122 North Second Street Phoenix, AZ 85004

Visit hyatt.com for complete terms and conditions. The trademarks Hyatt (Registered), Hyatt Regency (registered) and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. Copyright 2014 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

“The most exciting thing that we do is if you feed them they will come,” said Tanya Ruddell, Human Resources Manager at George Brazil Services, which offers air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical services throughout the Valley. In operation since 1955, the Phoenix-based company has roughly 170 employees and hosts recruiting job fairs at its headquarters. “We feed them lunch and we do on-the-spot interviewing with hiring managers,” Ruddell said. The company provides its own training and publicizes through social media, CareerBuilder and local supply houses. “We just want people who are willing to work,

have a positive attitude and ﬁt in with our family,” she said.

Variety is the spice of work life

Alliance Residential Company uses variety to get its name in front of targeted candidates from online, career events and social media to a referral program, an internship program and posting fun videos online. The company, which builds and manages luxury apartment communities in 17 states, looks for employees who have a competitive nature, exhibit intellectual curiosity, leadership qualities and those who can provide great customer service. “We want people who are looking to make an impact in the work they do every day,” said Greta Schneider, Director of Talent.

Recruit to learn; recruit to win

When searching for talent, Yodle’s talent acquisition team hosts, sponsors and attends various events during the year, including sales meet and greets and engineering game nights. “We look for people who like to learn and support our mission of empowering local businesses to ﬁnd and keep their customers in the simplest, most proﬁtable ways imaginable,” said Karen Kesner, Vice President of Talent Acquisition, Human Resources at Yodle, a provider of local online marketing solutions with 40,000-plus local business customers across the country.

Welcome to

The Winner’s Circle

“ We look for people who like to learn and support our mission of empowering local businesses to find and keep their customers in the simplest, most profitable ways imaginable.” — Karen Kesner, Vice President, Talent Acquisition, Yodle Founded in 2005 with headquarters in New York City, Yodle’s Scottsdale office has 185 employees, most of whom are in sales and client services. When recruiting, “we show candidates what it means to work for Yodle by exposing as much of our personality and promise to candidates along the way,” Kesner said. Yodle achieves this through information sessions, outreach to universities, community partnerships and in the interview process.

Fitting in with the culture

As one of the largest investment management companies and provider of company-sponsored retirement plan services, Vanguard attracts talent in different ways, including working with community

partners, such as locally with Valley of the Sun United Way, and economic development organizations, its college recruiting program, internships and its MBA rotational program, according to Stephanie Scher, Vanguard’s Marketing Specialist and Public Relations Liaison for Arizona. The company created Vanguard Recruiting Events for applicants. “We want prospective employees to visit our campus, meet a number of Vanguard crew, see the environment in which they might work, and observe the culture we are proud of,” Scher said, who adds that it can be “an efﬁcient way to approach a multi-step interview process.” Vanguard’s “learn & grow” culture offers internships, various career development resources and an onsite career café for informational sessions, not to mention opportunities for formal and informal mentoring. “The career café is really a physical representation on how we are committed to our crew,” Scher said. “From the moment you join Vanguard your leader is interested not only in the success of your current role but also preparing you for your next career opportunity within Vanguard.” In the end, most companies looking for great talent look for similar traits: They all want dedicated employees who are passionate about their work and where they work. As Yodle’s Kesner said, “We believe that if you get to know Yodle, you’ll want to work here.”

TO WORK FOR

IN ARIZONA

st e B

Be st Cu ltu re Best Leaders

s e c ti c a Pr

Congratulations from all of us at BestCompaniesAZ! Want to be in the circle too? We can help!

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www.bestcompaniesaz.com/top 480-545-5151

Candidate behavior patterns

85%

50%

83%

about a bad experience

conduct online research

will tell friends and family

40%

visit a career site

search for jobs

77%

while at work

of full-time employed workers are actively looking or open to new

different resoures are

job opportunities

used on average before

75%

applying for a job

utilize traditional networking

69%

view job boards SOURCE: CAREERBUILDER.COM

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INCREDIBLE

workplace ﬂexibility

Mutual

RESPECT

OPPORTUNITY for advancement

and cooperation

The staff at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa celebrates diversity.

SPOTLIGHT DIVERSITY

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa

Company has rich tradition of diversity hiring, community commitment BY MICHAEL FERRARESI

ith employees native to everywhere from Mexico to the Middle East, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa deeply values multiculturalism. When David Rodriguez joined the resort several months ago as Director of Human Resources, he recognized that the popular Hyatt property had a rich tradition of longtime bilingual employees and programs that encouraged advancement of minorities. He said that “diversity” is far from an HR buzzword. “It’s not that we’re trying to achieve a diverse workforce (today),” Rodriguez said. “We’ve already been there.” Located on East Doubletree Ranch Road at Gainey Ranch in central Scottsdale, the 27-acre luxury resort includes 493 guest rooms, nearly 70,000 square feet of space for various functions, and eight restaurants and bars, among other amenities that require an army of staff to manage. With more than 500 employees, the resort boasts staffers from Iraq, Latin America, and the Philippines. Refugee “Lost Boys” of Sudan work in various areas of the resort. Managers also have a longstanding commitment to placing underprivileged women, people from low-income rural areas, and family members of existing employees into vacant positions.

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 and 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 Arizona employees agree. Learn more about exciting career opportunities with Ryan at ryan.com/careers. A very special thanks to all our Arizona employees for voting Ryan one of the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona for the past two years!

1.855.RYAN.TAX | www.ryan.com Continued on page 23

22 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

THE GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCE How the search for jobs differs by generation: MILLENNIAL

BABY BOOMER Actively looking for job opportunities

83%

71%

Learn more

Average resources used in a job search:

Want to learn more about the companies that are shaping the employment landscape? Check out TopCompanies. azcentral.com. You’ll get more in-depth and interactive information on all the 2014 Top Companies. Also, ﬁnd videos on several Top Companies, with direct links to their websites and hiring pages.

Searching for jobs while at work:

49%

33%

Willingness to compromise salary to work for a company that provides a great hiring process experience:

57%

72% SOURCE: CAREERBUILDER.COM

Vanguard escape

Vanguard

s the investment management industry’s only client-owned firm, Vanguard’s culture is built strongly around their mission: “To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.” Vanguard’s unique ownership structure, under which the management company is owned by the shareholders of Vanguard’s funds, enables the company to achieve their goal of maintaining a client-centric focus and offer investors exceptionally high value.

Bill McNabb, Chairman & CEO Where: Scottsdale Year Established in Arizona: 1994 # of Arizona Employees: 2229 www.vanguard.com/careers 14321 N. Northsight Blvd. Scottsdale

JW Marriott Starr PassTucson Resort and Spa boasts AAA Four-Diamond accommodations, endless recreation, sparkling swimming pools, thrilling waterslide and lazy river, delectable dining options, championship golf, entertaining traditions, the luxurious Hashani Spa, and over 81,000 sq. ft. of event space… all delivered with our award-winning personal service. For more information or reservations visit jwmarriottstarrpass.com or call 520-792-3500.

Continued from page 21

Most hiring comes from referrals, staffers said. Networking groups for female employees and military veteran employees have also been well attended. The Hyatt Regency also includes a Native American Learning Center, sanctioned by Arizona Native tribal leaders, that showcases local tribes’ artwork and directs visitors to historic sites within a quick drive of the Valley. Working at the resort comes with some serious perks. Employees are welcomed to take advantage of three complimentary overnights each year and 12 across national Hyatt properties each year, in addition to other hospitality discounts. Rodriguez said the resort hosts regular internal “Hyatt Talks” with speciﬁc groups of employees, from housekeepers to banquet organizers, to gauge employee ideas on what works or what doesn’t. “Employees give us feedback and we make it a point to follow up on that feedback,” Rodriguez said.

Alliance Financial Resources

Arizona Charter Academy

ASU Foundation for a New American University

Banner Casa Grande Regional Medical Center

Comprehensive Hospice and Palliative Care

Credit Union West

First Fidelity Bank

George Brazil Services

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa

10 Open Tech Alliance, Inc.

Ashton Woods

orld-class culture W is an essential component of any

world-class organization. Having a top-notch culture drives our team to inspire our customers and deliver design, personalization and possibilities that challenge the status quo for our industry. Our people and our culture are frequently cited as the top reasons for joining and remaining with Ashton Woods as an employer of choice. Ashton Woods has created an environment where people want to work and where they are respected and empowered to succeed every day. With each new community brought to life, Ashton Woods continues to push industry boundaries and to inspire customers through visionary design and cutting-edge innovation.

Emily Piraino

Top companies with diversity programs

Division President, Scott Moore Where: Scottsdale Year Established in Arizona: 2002 # of Arizona Employees: 53 www.ashtonwoodshomes.com 6991 E. Camelback Rd. Suite A-200, Scottsdale (480) 515-9955

Alliance Bank of Arizona

Alliance Bank

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 2003 # of Employees in Arizona: 222 Jim Lundy, Founding CEO www.alliancebankofarizona.com One E. Washington, Suite 1400 • Phoenix (602) 386-5500

rizona’s largest locally owned and headquartered bank, Alliance Bank is vested in helping local companies expand and create jobs — lending more than $1.4 billion since 2009. Backed by the strength of $9.7 billion in assets and nearly $1 billion in capital, Alliance Bank is a division of Western Alliance Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation — one of the fastest growing publicly-traded bank holding companies in the US. Jim Lundy, CEO, said as the state’s “premier business bank” Alliance is

committed to providing the lending capacity to meet the needs of virtually any Arizona business, along with a suite of deposit, treasury management and online banking services. “What separates us from the fold is that we hire accomplished bankers— empowered to be decisive — who share the entrepreneurial spirit of the companies we serve,” Lundy said, adding that this allows Alliance to offer clients tailored solutions and unprecedented responsiveness. “Our end goal is to help our clients ‘get business done.’” Lundy said.

Alliance Bank celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2013.

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We’re honored to again be recognized as a top company to work for. Maybe you should work here too?

Ralph Wilson DDS, looks over a patient’s teeth as assistant Mande Moses records information.

SPOTLIGHT WOMENS’ INITIATIVES

AZPerio ICE’s global headquarters in Scottsdale is upbeat, open, cool and edgy, with video games in the employee lounges and ongoing contests and team-building activities; it’s like casual Friday every day. We take our work and our play seriously – after all, we’re in the vacation business! Learn more about a career at ICE and view current openings by visiting iceenterprise.com/careers

Core values encompass compassion for clients and employees BY DOLORES TROPIANO

n the top of Debbie Suits’ bucket list was a long RV road trip to Alaska. Thanks to AZPerio, a premiere provider of periodontal care, not only is she on the road to her dream, but when she returns in three months, her position as treatment plan coordinator will be waiting for her. “Most companies would replace her,” said Andrew Ibrahim, Director of Organizational Development for AZPerio. “But we value her as an employee.” AZPerio was founded 25 years ago by Steven Reitan, a Dental and Periodontal Specialist. The company has a staff of experts who use cuttingedge techniques to provide periodontal treatments such as implants, crown lengthening and cosmetic dentistry. AZPerio has five locations in Arizona — each embracing the core value of compassion for both the client and employee. That can mean gift cards for patients kept waiting more than 20 minutes or a loan for an employee facing financial hardships. Ninety percent of the AZPerio staff is women and the organization considers itself a family-first company providing remote work opportunities and flexible work schedules. Ibrahim says the company’s compensation is in the upper stratosphere for the industry. Employees get matching 401(k) plans, healthcare coverage and regular bonuses.

Top companies with womens’ initiatives “We are a performance-driven company,’’ Ibrahim said. “But we work hard to make sure everyone is taken care of.” AZPerio prefers to hire from the hospitality instead of the health care industry for support staff. Reitan says hospitality experts tend to be good listeners and are trained to take care of the emotional needs of clients. “It’s the missing part of the health care system,” said Reitan, Senior Partner for AZPerio. “Taking care of the emotional aspect of the patient.” The AZPerio group is devoted to training and developing the right people regardless of their background. A 20-year kindergarten teacher was transformed into the director of operations and a Polish immigrant from the hospitality industry is now the lead surgical assistant. “We give people every opportunity to succeed,” Reitan said.

Arizona Charter Academy

Ashton Woods Homes

AZPerio, PLLC

Better Business Bureau

Clear Title Agency of Arizona

Comprehensive Hospice and Palliative Care

Credit Union West

Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC

Kforce Inc.

10 Orchard Medical Consulting

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

DID YOU KNOW? Nearly

3 in 5 recruiters

believe there is a signiﬁcant gap between the skills clients need and the skills job candidates have.

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.

The days of the passive job seeker are over. Now, nearly

8 in 10 workers

Commitment

search for new opportunities on a routine basis.

60% 77%

of recruiters have an open position they can’t ﬁll due to an inability to ﬁnd a candiate with the necessary skills.

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.

of full-time employed workers are actively looking or open to new job opportunities.

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

SOURCE: CAREERBUILDER.COM AR-0008219614-01

26 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For SMALL COMPANY LISTINGS

(25-99 EMPLOYEES):

COMPANY: Answer 1 Communications INDUSTRY: Telecommunications US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 80/80 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Mary Jones, President WEBSITE: answer1.com Answer 1 Communication provides live 24/7 call and contact center services to businesses internationally. A naturally diverse staff is just one testament to Answer 1’s core value of “we believe in each other.” To promote a team atmosphere, the company hosts numerous parties throughout the year, including potlucks, costume parties and video game challenges. Agents participate in the weekly Challenge Yourself program which rewards employees with gift cards and bragging rights. COMPANY: AppointmentPlus INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 73/73 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Bob LaLoggia, CEO WEBSITE: appointment-plus.com AppointmentPlus, a software development company, encourages its employees to stay active and be healthy. In addition to paying 100 percent of the employee premium on health insurance, the company offers up to a $150 reimbursement for ﬁtness clubs. They encourage employees to stay active with their families by offering two weeks paid maternity leave in addition to standard PTO, and their “Fridays in the Park” program keeps employees healthy with a friendly game of basketball. COMPANY: Arizona Charter Academy INDUSTRY: Education US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 65/65 AZ LOCATION: Surprise TOP US EXECUTIVE: Melissa Holdaway, COO/CEO WEBSITE: azcharter.com The Arizona Charter Academy, a non-proﬁt public charter school, offers numerous professional development opportunities

where staff members can attend workshops or receive ongoing training in their field. Employees are encouraged to work on community service projects with students, and are provided the resources they need to implement them, including paid time off. In addition to a staff appreciation week, ongoing “surprises” include lunch, coffee deliveries and an hour or two break while someone covers their class. COMPANY: Arizona Team INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 37/37 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Matthew Osborne, President WEBSITE: arizona-team.com Arizona Team, which specializes in marketing and sales services, provides a career path that is limitless by promoting its employees on merit rather than tenure, creating an atmosphere where employees feel valued and can grow. Among its unique programs is the monthly Lean In group, which allows women to discuss personal and professional growth opportunities. And every week, a different employee gets to play “Office DJ,” selecting upbeat music to play throughout the main lobby and offices. COMPANY: Axosoft, LLC INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 39/39 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Hamid Shojaee, CEO WEBSITE: axosoft.com Axosoft provides bug tracking and software project management applications for software development teams. The company is home to the AxoFarm, an in-office garden full of herbs and vegetables. Combined with inhouse fitness classes, Axosoft recognizes the importance of keeping its employees healthy and happy. They also paid trips to anywhere in the U.S. for an employee’s one year anniversary, as well as pumpkin decorating, movie afternoons and Adopt-a-Family and Adopt-a-Senior programs during the holiday season.

COMPANY: AZPerio, PLLC INDUSTRY: Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 46/46 AZ LOCATION: Paradise Valley TOP US EXECUTIVE: Ralph Wilson, Managing Partner WEBSITE: azperio.com Periodontal specialist AZPerio understands that life happens to its employees, and to help with all the twists and turns, the company offers personal loans to help in times of hardship. With over 80 percent of the team comprised of women, AZPerio provides maternity leave for two months, as well as short-term disability. And employees not only get treated to a traditional holiday dinner, but an entire week off during Christmas as well. COMPANY: BestIT INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 44/44 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Harry Curtin, CEO WEBSITE: bestit.com BestIT, a full-service technology and consulting provider, delivers high-performance results to its customers and employees alike. The company hosts a number of events throughout the year, including bowling, kart racing and paintball outings. They also have their own race team and ﬂexible work schedules. COMPANY: Better Business Bureau INDUSTRY: Non-Proﬁt – Information Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 52/52 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Matthew Fehling, President/CEO WEBSITE: arizonabbb.org The BBB not only handles complaints, but also provides customer and business reviews and accreditation. The company hosts monthly TEAM meetings with lunch and insights into the inner-workings of the organization. The management team makes it a priority to understand employees’ needs, and the entire staff has the opportunity to have one-onone’s with the President/CEO twice a year. BBB Bucks are used to acknowledge staff members who go above and beyond, and can be redeemed for gift cards and even PTO.

COMPANY: Bishop Fox INDUSTRY: Consulting US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 50/50 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Francis Brown, Partner & Vincent Liu, Partner WEBSITE: bishopfox.com Bishop Fox is a security consulting firm that has provided services to Fortune 1000 companies, high-tech start-ups and financial institutions around the world. Among the benefits of being a Bishop Fox employee is a flexible work schedule, including the ability to telecommute, and access to the companyowned ski lease in Lake Tahoe. COMPANY: Clear Title Agency of Arizona INDUSTRY: Real Estate – Title & Escrow US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 41/41 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: James B. Patterson, CEO WEBSITE: cleartitleaz.com Clear Title Agency provides quality title and escrow services throughout the state. The company offers a summer retreat to the White Mountains, as well as a Diamondbacks outing during baseball season. Clear Title Agency promotes the personal growth of its staff, with flexible hours to meet family needs and an employee recognition program that provides a monetary award to the charity of an employee’s choice. COMPANY: Comprehensive Hospice and Palliative Care, LLC INDUSTRY: Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 54/54 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Charlotte Igo, CEO WEBSITE: chpchospice.com As a physician and nurse owned and operated hospice, Comprehensive Hospice and Palliative Care knows the importance of ensuring its staff is treated with the utmost consideration. Employees can receive tuition reimbursements to help further their educational goals. The company is predominantly females, and they support diversity through their peer mentoring and flexible work arrangements. A unique feature of the company is its lending library full of books that is open to all employees.

Fry’s associates can take part in the annual Dodge Ball & Wacky Costume Contest, the Rick D’Elia

largest competition of its kind in the state.

Fry’s Food Stores F ry’s Food Stores celebrates five-plus decades of serving Arizona shoppers. Fifty-four years ago, Chuck and Don Fry decided to expand their grocery business from the San Francisco area into Arizona. The brothers felt that the desert landscape represented growth and the opportunity to succeed. Although the Fry’s stores of 2014 look quite different than the ones the brothers first opened in Arizona, the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction remains the same. As it turns out, Chuck and Don were correct in their assessment of Arizona as a land of plenty—Fry’s Food Stores is now the seventh largest employer in the state, with nearly 17,000 associates. More than 3 million people AR-0008211260-08

shop each week at the 119 total Fry’s Food Stores, which was honored in 2012 with the Arizona Fundraising Professionals “Outstanding Corporation” award for its community service and philanthropic efforts. JoEllen Lynn, a spokesperson for Fry’s Food Stores, said that since the very beginning, Fry’s has been a firm believer in the concept of giving back. “Fry’s has always been a generous supporter of the community. Over the years, that support has increased,” she said. Rather than just sit on their laurels, Lynn said Fry’s is also continually looking for ways to make the shopping experience even more satisfying for their customers.

In addition to offering the freshest products at fantastic prices, features like online coupons, Fuel Rewards and special Fry’s Food Stores Facebook offers help people save even more money. “Customers also rave about our associates as being some of the friendliest faces in town,” Lynn said, adding that the associates enjoy working in a supportive environment, which allows opportunities to grow within Fry’s and Kroger. “Our associates also like working for the company because it offers so many family-friendly and fun events, including a talent contest, dodge ball tournament, family-fun day at the waterpark, basketball tournament, photo contest, annual picnics and more.”

Where: Tolleson Year Established in Arizona: 1960 # of Employees in Arizona: 17,000 plus

www.frysfood.com 500 S. 99th Ave. • Tolleson (800) 576-4377

28 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: Core Communications INDUSTRY: Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 46/46 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Shawn Morse, Managing Director WEBSITE: corecable.net Core Communications is a specialty contractor that provides fulﬁllment solutions to the cable television, telecommunications, and broadband services industries. The company hosts a number of team building activities, including go-kart racing, paintball and golf. They have a performance-based metrics system that is converted to a GPA scale for giveaways, bonuses and higher pay scaled. Core Communications works with New Pathways for Youth, donating both money and time to the cause.

COMPANY: Equity Methods INDUSTRY: Consulting US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 30/30 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Takis Makridis, President & CEO WEBSITE: equitymethods.com Equity Methods focuses on solving a variety of equity compensation plan design, valuation, accounting and tax challenges. They also focus on their employees, with a ﬂat and collaborative organizational structure that includes company-sponsored offsite social events such as laser tag, community service and hiking. Equity Methods also ensures its staff always feels comfortable, so relaxed, non-formal attire is the norm.

COMPANY: ethology INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 65/43 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Jeffrey Pruitt, CEO WEBSITE: ethology.com ethology is a full service, integrated digital marketing agency that offers, among other services, research, content strategy and email marketing. Among the beneﬁts they offer are three weeks of paid time off, a $250 paid vacation bonus, and employee recognition that offers $100 a month and $2,500 at the end of the year to the top employee. Employees have the chance to further their skills through industry conferences, and the once-a-month Taco Tuesday is an employee favorite.

COMPANY: Genius Avenue INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 32/32 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Ben Rozum, President WEBSITE: geniusavenue.com Genius Avenue provides comprehensive benefit administration and marketing services through online marketplaces using cloud based technology. Keep an eye out for Franklin, the office’s dinosaur mascot. Franklin is always hiding, and when a staff member finds him, he or she hides him again lets everyone know he’s moved. During busy times, offsite activities such as bowling and interdepartmental activities such as decorating contests keep the mood light. Genius Avenue shuts down an hour early every Friday, and the casual dress code includes shorts and flip-flops.

Emily Piraino

Credit Union West C

Where: Glendale Year Established in Arizona: 1951 # of Employees in Arizona: 189 Robert MacGregor, President/CEO www.cuwest.org P.O. Box 7600 • Glendale (602) 631-3200

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 $500 million in assets and over 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.”

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

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TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 29 TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 29

Top TopCompanies Companiesto toWork WorkFor For

COMPANY: KnowledgeNet INDUSTRY: Education COMPANY: KnowledgeNet INDUSTRY: Education US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 76/70 EMPLOYEES: AZUS/AZ LOCATION: Tempe 76/70 AZ LOCATION: Tempe TOP US EXECUTIVE: Rob Doty, TOP US EXECUTIVE: Rob Doty, sidentManaging Partner Managing Partner WEBSITE: knowledgenet.com WEBSITE: knowledgenet.com e KnowledgeNet offers a blend of effective KnowledgeNet offers to a blend of effective training styles designed leverage the training styles designed to leverage the using beneﬁts of traditional instructor-led training benefits of traditional instructor-led training ut at your desktop. The company provides a at yourofdesktop. The company provides a ot. plethora fun activities for its staff members plethora of fun activities for its staff members taff including tournaments, salsa and chili cookincluding salsa and chiliWith cookagainoffs, Pajamatournaments, Day and Super Hero Day. a offs, Pajama Day and Super Hero Day. With a g busystrong commitment to helping the community, strong commitment to helping the community, g KnowledgeNet employees have cooked KnowledgeNet employees have as dinner for Ronald McDonald Housecooked residents, dinnerbottled for Ronald McDonald House residents, ht. donated water to the homeless and donated bottled water to the homeless and ly worked telethons for local charities. worked telethons for local charities. e

COMPANY: MassMutual Arizona INDUSTRY: – Non-Healthcare COMPANY:Insurance MassMutual Arizona INDUSTRY: Insurance – Non-Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 73/73 EMPLOYEES: 73/73 AZUS/AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Jeff Dollarhide, TOP US EXECUTIVE: JeffPartner Dollarhide, President, CEO & Managing President, CEO & Managing Partner WEBSITE: arizona.massmutual.com WEBSITE: arizona.massmutual.com MassMutual Arizona provides customers MassMutual Arizona options, providesincluding customers with quality insurance with quality insurance options, including whole life and disability. Every month, the whole life and disability. Every month, company holds a luncheon that includesthe company holds asuch luncheon thatcook includes various activities as a chili off. various activities such as a chili off. The company’s top producers are cook awarded The company’s top producers are awarded with trips to unique locales such as Paris, with trips unique locales such as Paris, Monte Carlotoand Sicily. Fun activities such Monte Carlo and Sicily. Fun such as softball and paintball help activities staff members as softball and paintball help staff members form a strong bond, and MassMutual’s form aschedule strong bond, and MassMutual’s ﬂexible is perfect for working flexible schedule is perfect for working mothers and families. mothers and families.

COMPANY: Miller Russell Associates INDUSTRY: Services COMPANY:Financial Miller Russell Associates INDUSTRY: Financial Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 33/33 US/AZ EMPLOYEES: AZ LOCATION: Phoenix33/33 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Mark Feldman, CEO TOP US EXECUTIVE: Mark Feldman, CEO WEBSITE: miller-russell.com WEBSITE: Miller Russellmiller-russell.com Associates provide investment, Miller Russell Associates provide investment, wealth management and tax compliance wealth management andEmployees tax compliance and consulting services. have full and consulting access to a wellservices. stocked Employees break roomhave full of full access a well stockedAll break room full free snacks,toand the annual Hands Party of free snacks, company and Spirit Weekand arethe musts for theprovides staff. The mentorship to emergingclose leaders in the ofﬁce will occasionally down for firm. fun The office will occasionally close down for activities as well charity, including spring fun activities as well charity, including spring training games and volunteer opportunities games andBank. volunteer opportunities at attraining St. Mary’s Food St. Mary’s Food Bank.

COMPANY: Natural Partners, Inc. INDUSTRY: Distribution COMPANY: Natural Partners, Inc. INDUSTRY: Distribution88/88 US/AZ EMPLOYEES: US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 88/88 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale AZ Scottsdale TOPLOCATION: US EXECUTIVE: Tye Smith, TOP US EXECUTIVE: Tye Smith, Founder & CEO Founder & CEO WEBSITE: naturalpartners.com WEBSITE: naturalpartners.com Natural Partners, Inc. provides professional Natural Partners, Inc. provides grade natural supplements andprofessional e-commerce grade natural supplements and e-commerce support to health care professionals. As is support health care professionals. As is the casetowith their customers, Natural the case with Partners wanttheir theircustomers, employeesNatural to be healthy. Partners want their employees to be which healthy. They offer an Avante Food Market, They offer an so Avante Food Market, is subsidized employees receivewhich $50 a is subsidized so employees receive a month for free. The company has a$50 number month for free. The company a number of celebrations every month,has including of celebrations month,and including barbecues, artsevery and crafts a day hosted barbecues, arts and crafts and a hosted by the company’s Executive Viceday President. by the company’s Executive Vice President.

In good company It’s an honor to be one of the Top Companies to work for in Arizona. Many thanks to our employees for making it possible. mydiscovercareer.com

Source: CareerBuilder and Republic Media, 2014

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30 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: OpenTech Alliance, Inc. INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 99/99 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Robert Chiti, President & CEO WEBSITE: opentechalliance.com OpenTech Alliance provides solutions that connect storage owners and tenants through the automated Kiosks and Call Center services known as INSOMNIAC. OpenTech provides a number of unique perks, including organic fruit deliveries twice a week and chair massages right in the ofﬁce. Every employee receives premium AAA membership, and after 10 years of service, PTO jumps to 160 hours per year.

COMPANY: Orchard Medical Consulting INDUSTRY: Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 49/30 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Robin Orchard, President & Owner WEBSITE: orchardmed.com Orchard Medical Consulting provides quality nurse case management services for employees who have incurred catastrophic work-related injuries. They are one of the largest sponsors of Kids’ Chance of Arizona, which helps kids further their educational and personal dreams. The company has monthly birthday potlucks, a referral bonus program and a Biggest Loser weight loss challenge.

COMPANY: PCA skin INDUSTRY: Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 90/90 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Doug Abel, CEO WEBSITE: pcaskin.com PCA skin offers professional skin care products as well as educational training for aestheticians. Among the charities the company works with is the Sojourner Center, and the company offers paid days off to volunteer for various charities. PCA skin also offers ﬂexible work schedules and meetings with management on a regular basis.

COMPANY: Renters Warehouse Arizona, Inc. INDUSTRY: Real Estate – Property Management US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 28/28 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Kevin Ortner, CEO WEBSITE: phoenix.renterswarehouse.com Renters Warehouse Arizona, Inc. offers professional landlord services, including leasing and management, for property owners. Employees have the opportunity to create their own schedules within the work week, and there is always the opportunity for monthly bonuses. Along with free tickets to local events, Renters Warehouse keeps things interesting with mini golf in the ofﬁce during break times and a dance off among the staff.

Emily Piraino

Hyatt Regency Phoenix H

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 1976 # of Employees in Arizona: 287

www.phoenix.hyatt.com 122 N. 2nd St. • Phoenix (602) 252-1234

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yatt Regency Phoenix Fosters a Culture of Innovation and Creativity for its Associates. At Hyatt Regency Phoenix, associates are treated with the highest amount of respect and courtesy. For example, the Hyatt’s fun and energetic work culture is just one of the many things that set them apart. A prime example of Hyatt’s creative and innovative employee culture, said General Manager Tom Delaney, recently took place when Comicon came to town. Every year, participants in the popular event stay at the Hyatt.

“All of our associates jumped right in and tried to make it an amazing weekend for the people who attended Comicon,” Delaney said, adding that from dressing up as various characters to painting the front windows of the hotel and expanding the outdoor restaurant seating, every associate did what they could to make sure the Comicon guests had a memorable time. “All of the ideas came from our associates, and they spent a lot of time and energy wanting to make an impression.”

Hyatt’s employee restaurant, The Sun Devil, offers continental breakfast and hot lunches for free every day.

TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 31

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: Retailer Web Services INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 40/40 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: James Kane, CEO WEBSITE: retailerwebservices.com Retailer Web Services develops, hosts and maintains e-commerce web sites for independent Furniture, Major Appliance, Mattress, Bedding, Outdoor Power and Decorative Plumbing retailers. The company likes to surprise its employees with unique perks throughout the year. They have brought in a massage therapist for a day and have given out rewards for exceptional contributions, including iPads to 10 employees after a successful trade show season. They also have breakfasts catered on Mondays and provide employees with fun toys to reduce stress, such as stress balls. COMPANY: Rose Law Group INDUSTRY: Legal US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 35/35 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Jordan Rose, President & Founder WEBSITE: roselawgroup.com Rose Law Group has 27 areas of law practice, including renewable energy and family law. The ﬁrm has monthly ‘fun days’ that have included happy hours, massages, shooting ranges and even paid vacations with families to a resort. They also have a personal concierge, an onsite gym and house cleaning and night nurse for families that have new babies. They are active in a number of charities, including the American Heart Association and the Arizona Kidney Foundation. COMPANY: SiteLock, LLC INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 56/48 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Thomas Gorny, CEO WEBSITE: sitelock.com SiteLock helps protect a business’s online presence with reliable, high-quality website security. The company offers free food for its

employees every day, as well as telemedicine for the employees and their dependents. In addition to an onsite health coach, SiteLock has a game room with an Xbox, ping pong table, pool table and DIRECTV. COMPANY: Steve LeVine Entertainment & Public Relations INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 32/32 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Steve LeVine, CEO WEBSITE: slentertainment.com SLE, an events and public relations agency, specializes in a number of areas including event planning, talent booking, marketing and promotions. The company offers Friday Fundays, where the entire ofﬁce will participate in events such as pizza parties, Xbox competitions and spring training games. They also have a music studio in the ofﬁce, where guests DJs can play music during happy hours. The staff also participates in various competitive areas, including ping pong tournaments, award show polls and Fantasy Football leagues. COMPANY: Telesphere INDUSTRY: Telecommunications US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 99/65 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Clark Peterson, CEO WEBSITE: telesphere.com Telesphere is a leading provider of business VoIP solutions, bringing businesses extensive communications services. Telesphere is active with the Greater Scottsdale Boys & Girls clubs, having hosted, sponsored and run an annual golf tournament the last two years. The company has a Culture Team that creates fun activities throughout the year, including sumo wrestling and pumpkin carving. Seasonal sports are big at Telesphere; there are intramural team-building competitions that include trashcan basketball and Wii competitions.

COMPANY: The Lavidge Company INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 82/82 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Bill Lavidge, CEO WEBSITE: lavidge.com The Lavidge Company is a full-service advertising, public relations, and interactive marketing agency. The company’s office is designed to be open and fun, with a café often stocked with food for the staff (as well as a kegerator for Friday happy hours), satellite/ cable television and massage chairs. Summer vacation is a thing of the past for working adults, but The Lavidge Company brings summer excitement back by closing the offices at 3 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. COMPANY: Trax Technologies, Inc. INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 81/81 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Scott Nelson, President WEBSITE: traxtech.com Trax Technologies processes freight bills and other freight transactions for shippers and logistics services providers around the globe. Upper managements knows the importance of a work-life and family balance, with the President and executive staff often making this a first priority. They participate in a number of charitable activities, including Operation Christmas Child and a matching donation program for the typhoon relief in the Philippines.

MEDIUM COMPANY LISTINGS (100-999 EMPLOYEES):

COMPANY: Alliance Bank of Arizona, A Division of Western Alliance Bank INDUSTRY: Banking US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 222/222 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Jim Lundy, Founding CEO WEBSITE: alliancebankofarizona.com Alliance Bank of Arizona is positioned as a “super community” bank to deliver a broader

product array and larger credit capacity than a traditional community bank. One of their largest programs is “Mission Fitpossible,” a weight loss challenge for all the employees. The company makes sure staff members that go above and beyond the call of duty are recognized, with special reward programs and quarterly recognition of employees. COMPANY: Alliance Financial Resources, DBA Alliance Home Loans INDUSTRY: Financial Services–Residential US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 190/168 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Jamie Korus, President WEBSITE: afrhomeloans.com Alliance Financial Resources is a residential mortgage lender offering loans for individuals looking to purchase or reﬁnance real estate. The company offers paid days off to volunteer at various charities, as well as quarterly events to better the community. Breakfast and lunch are provided to the staff multiple times a month, and softball tournaments, chair massages and an Employee Appreciation Day at a spring training game are regular parts of the company culture. COMPANY: Ashton Woods Homes INDUSTRY: Real Estate – Home Building US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 500/55 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Ken Balogh, President & CEO WEBSITE: ashtonwoodshomes.com/phoenix Ashton Woods Homes has built awardwinning, high-performance new homes for more than 30 years. The company has worked with a number of charitable causes, including the Special Olympics, Rebuilding Arizona and various food drives. Employees are treated to early releases before every holiday, as well as casual dress on both Thursdays and Fridays. Other company-sponsored events include hiking, basketball, spring training and overnight resort vacations.

32 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: ASU Foundation for a New American University INDUSTRY: Non-Proﬁt US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 202/198 AZ LOCATION: Tempe TOP US EXECUTIVE: R.F. “Rick” Shangraw Jr., Ph.D., CEO WEBSITE: asufoundation.org The ASU Foundation’s primary goal is to advance philanthropic programs that support students and life-long learners. The staff is dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, with events such as Walk Across America, a team ﬁtness challenge, and a Biometrics Fair to raise health awareness. They also offer onsite yoga classes weekly. The ASU Foundation offers a number of morale-boosting perks, such as a holiday party at the Phoenix Zoo and Star Cards, personalized, hand-written notes that colleagues can give to each other for a job well done.

COMPANY: Banner Casa Grande Regional Medical Center INDUSTRY: Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 819/819 AZ LOCATION: Casa Grande TOP US EXECUTIVE: Rona Curphy, President & CEO WEBSITE: bannerhealth.com/casagrande Banner Casa Grande Medical Center offers an array of inpatient and outpatient care, including emergency, heart and maternity care, to meet the needs of Casa Grande and surrounding communities. In addition to flexible hours, competitive time-off and salary plans, they offer their employees a widerange of benefit choices that can be mixed and matched to best meet their personal and financial needs. Banner Casa Grande is part of Banner Health, an organization that has the stability that comes with success and the values you’ll be proud to represent.

COMPANY: ClearCall Solutions INDUSTRY: Consumer Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 189/189 AZ LOCATION: Chandler TOP US EXECUTIVE: Mike Melton, President WEBSITE: clearcallsolutions.com ClearCall Solutions is a fast-paced direct response B2C sales and marketing company. The company offers workday walks, where employees take casual strolls around the business park to get away from it all for a few minutes and get some exercise. Keeping with the health theme, ClearCall also offers yoga sessions during lunch with an in-house trainer and a weight loss challenge/gym reimbursement program. Employees also enjoy using the combination ping pong and pool table.

Rick D’Elia

Verengo Solar H

Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 2008 # of Employees in Arizona: 232 Randy Bishop, CEO and Ken Button, President www.verengosolar.com 4811 E. Thistle Landing Dr. Suite 100, Building C • Phoenix (480) 800-4364

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arnessing the Power of the Sun to Change the Way People Think about Power. Since 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 environmentallyfriendly and renewable source of energy.

COMPANY: Credit Union West INDUSTRY: Banking US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 183/183 AZ LOCATION: Glendale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Bob MacGregor, CEO/President WEBSITE: cuwest.org Credit Union West is a ﬁnancial cooperative in Arizona with a mission to enhance quality of life and meet their clients’ ﬁnancial needs. Credit Union West underwrites many programs for troops at Luke Air Force Base and throughout the state, including VA Stand Down and Luke Day Picnic. In addition to wellness fairs, the company has Halloween and ugly sweater contests and offers quarterly incentives and annual bonuses.

Verengo is ranked #1 on the Solar Power World list of Top Residential Solar Contractors in the U.S., has been named to Inc. Magazine’s List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies. In addition, for two years in a row, Verengo has been awarded Best Place to Work. The company now employs over 1,000 people. “We have a values-driven, customer-centric corporate culture with programs that make for happy, loyal customers and employees,” Bishop said.

The staff organizes quarterly “Solarbrations” that recognize employees for their contributions and includes off-site games, dinners and raffle prizes.

TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 33

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: Edupoint Educational Systems, LLC INDUSTRY: Software US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 125/102 AZ LOCATION: Mesa TOP US EXECUTIVE: Robert Weathers, CEO WEBSITE: edupoint.com Edupoint Educational Systems provides K-12 student information management systems that enable teachers, school staff and district administrators to maximize student performance. Edupoint offers ﬂexible scheduling and, on Fridays, catered lunch for the staff. They offer an employer-funded Flexible Spending Account and 15 percent total employee contribution for medical beneﬁts, and their monthly Pilates and “MELT” classes keep worker’s healthy year-round.

Alliance Residential Company A

Bruce Ward, President & CEO Where: Phoenix Established in Arizona: 2000 # of Arizona Employees: 537 www.allresco.com 2415 E. Camelback Rd. #600 Phoenix (602) 778-2800

COMPANY: First Fidelity Bank NA INDUSTRY: Banking US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 383/62 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Lee Symcox, President & CEO WEBSITE: ffb.com First Fidelity Bank is a locally owned and operated national bank. Employees can take advantage of free banking services and reduced-rate personal loans. The Salute to Service Program celebrates employee milestones with a gift and formal recognition by the CEO, and management hosts an employee appreciation week once a year. Every day of the week has a different theme, and perks includes free ice creams, passes for PTO, half days off and a day where employees can wear jeans.

Superlite Block A

Rick D’Elia

s the nation’s ninth largest apartment manager and No. 1 multifamily developer, Alliance’s philosophy centers on people and performance — it’s about how the aligned interests of its clients, communities and associates create synergy and opportunities for everyone. Alliance associates play a key role in providing rewarding experiences for clients and residents, and work hard to ensure they enjoy a rewarding professional experience of their own. Alliance’s goal is to be a place its associates are proud to call their “work home.”

COMPANY: Fann Contracting, Inc. INDUSTRY: Construction US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 170/170 AZ LOCATION: Prescott TOP US EXECUTIVE: Mike Fann, President WEBSITE: fanncontracting.com Fann Contracting performs heavy civil and highway construction throughout the state of Arizona. In addition to a 4-day workweek and proﬁt sharing bonus, Fann takes all employees to Conexpo, an equipment trade show in Las Vegas. The company holds celebration BBQs after a safe job is complete, and the annual fall picnic and company Christmas party bring together employees and their families for various activities and healthy meals.

s a top manufacturing company, Superlite an Oldcastle Company offers a wide range of products. These include hardscape items like interlocking and permeable pavements, courtyards and retaining walls; masonry products including standard and architectural concrete masonry; mortars and grouts for the masonry industry, shotcretes, concrete mixes and stuccos. The staff’s thorough knowledge of the local markets and design trends, combined with a strong commitment to superior customer service, help to set them apart from the competition.

Superlite

COMPANY: EBCO, Inc. dba La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries INDUSTRY: Retail US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 219/219 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Ed Breunig III, Owner & CEO WEBSITE: lazboy.com/Arizona La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries offer unique pieces that complement every room of the home. Currently on a path to become “The Greatest Retail Show on Earth,” La-Z-Boy offers a number of incentives for its staff, including its Milestone Award Program. The program includes a Rolex watch on an employee’s 10-year anniversary, and an all expense paid trip to Hawaii after 20 years. La-Z-Boy also has a 75 percent match on an employee’s 401(k) plan, and customized “circus tickets” are redeemable for ﬂex time and other prizes.

Christopher Alboro, CPM Operator Year Established in Arizona: 1944 # of Employees: 244 superliteblock.com 4150 W. Turney Ave. Phoenix (602) 352-3500

34 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: George Brazil Services INDUSTRY: HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Home Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 101/101 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Jim Probst, Owner/ President & Patricia Langlin-Brazil, Owner WEBSITE: georgebrazilservices.com George Brazil Services offers repair and installation of residential air conditioning and heating. The company has special perks for its top performers, having sent the top salesperson to Mexico with a guest, as well as the top service tech to California for a vacation. Two management team members receives a cruise each year. Other perks include weekly lunches, ice cream socials and ticket giveaways to special events.

COMPANY: Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC INDUSTRY: Mortgage Banking US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 166/156 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Bill Rogers, Founder & CEO WEBSITE: homeownersfg.com Homeowners Financial Group is a full service mortgage banker, leading the Valley in residential lending. Employees are treated to a large variety of unique events throughout the year, including holiday parties, a picnic, happy hours and softball games. The company offers opportunities to work remotely, and staff members combine to give back to more than 30 charities annually, including Big Brothers Big Sisters.

COMPANY: Hyatt Regency Phoenix INDUSTRY: Hotel/Hospitality US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 281/281 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Thomas Delaney, General Manager WEBSITE: phoenix.hyatt.com The Hyatt Regency Phoenix is a premier hotel in downtown Phoenix that offers panoramic city and Valley views. All full and part time employees are eligible to receive complimentary hotel stays – with full time staff members receiving 12 nights a year. The Hyatt also offers tuition reimbursement and a continental breakfast and hot lunch for free, every day of the week. The hotel’s employee restaurant even offers a seating area that mirrors a traditional living room, with two televisions and two computers.

COMPANY: Limelight Networks, Inc. INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 392/226 AZ LOCATION: Tempe TOP US EXECUTIVE: Robert Lento, President & CEO WEBSITE: limelightnetworks.com Limelight Networks’ is a digital content delivery company that helps content publishers avoid sending files over the busy public Internet but still deliver them directly to end-users. The company has a free, fullystocked deli onsite as well as a flexible time off policy. The office is located close to Mill Avenue, providing access to great restaurants and covered parking. Limelight also has a game room featuring ping pong and pool tables, and a relaxation room for employees to unwind in.

Law Enforcement Specialists F

www.lesaz.com PO Box 11656 • Glendale (623) 825-6700

LES pulls from a database of more than 4,500 off-duty officers to find the best fit for every situation.

Rick D’Elia

Bonnie Lucas, Owner

or almost 20 years, Law Enforcement Specialists has been a reliable coordinator for off-duty police officers. From people who need a police officer to handle traffic control to a host of other security needs, Law Enforcement Specialists is there to help. The company, which is licensed through the Arizona Department of Safety, works exclusively with police officers, who will arrive at their assignment on time, wearing a uniform and badge and carrying a gun. Law Enforcement Specialists pride themselves on their great

Where: Glendale Year Established in Arizona: 1994 # of Employees in Arizona: 8

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relationships with their clients, many of whom have used the company for several events. Marlene Doole, SRP material coordinator, said they have worked closely with Law Enforcement Specialists for many years, and that they have provided excellent customer service to the company’s crews. “We appreciate their hard work, keen attention to detail and excellent communication,” Doole said. “Our jobs vary in detail and each one is provided with their utmost care to everyone’s safety.”

TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 35

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: Lovitt & Touché, Inc. INDUSTRY: Healthcare – Insurance/Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 190/189 AZ LOCATION: Tempe TOP US EXECUTIVE: Charles Touché, CEO WEBSITE: lovitt-touche.com Lovitt & Touché provides customized solutions to employer’s challenges in areas that include insurance purchasing, funding options and risk assessment. The company offers opportunities to improve wellness through weight loss competitions, wellness seminars, yoga, organized walks, massages and an onsite health coach. They also offer ﬂexible hours that include options to work from home and telecommute, as well as monthly charity events such as potlucks and chili cook offs.

COMPANY: Nextiva, Inc. INDUSTRY: Telecommunications US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 215/205 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Thomas Gorny, CEO WEBSITE: nextiva.com Nextiva provides uniﬁed communication services that include VoIP, Fax, Tele and Web conferencing. The company offers its employees free food every day, as well as affordable health care that includes telemedicine for all employees and dependents. The game room at Nextiva lets staff members unwind with pool, ping pong and an Xbox.

COMPANY: Rio Salado College INDUSTRY: Education US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 541/541 AZ LOCATION: Tempe TOP US EXECUTIVE: Dr. Chris Bustamante, President WEBSITE: riosalado.edu Rio Salado College is one of the 10 Maricopa County Community Colleges, and the largest online public community college in the nation. Employees can engage in yoga and strength training classes onsite, as well as discounted healthy lunch specials at the college café. The “Wii and ice cream time” set up by management involved rotating the Wii gaming system throughout the departments so employees can play during breaks and have an ice cream treat.

COMPANY: Verengo Solar INDUSTRY: Renewables & Environment US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 997/220 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Randy Bishop, CEO WEBSITE: verengosolar.com Verengo Solar offers affordable, renewable solar energy for homeowners. The staff organizes quarterly “Solarbrations” that recognize employees for their contributions and includes offsite games, dinners and rafﬂe prizes. The weekly “Rah-Rah” program highlights the successes of the prior week through games and prizes, and the “Company Kudos” email allows senior executives and all other employees to give shout outs for a job well done.

Three important values guide every effort of the ASU Foundation for A New American University: We serve. We innovate. We engage. Each unites the generosity of our donors with ASU’s ability to change our world. And each honors the contributions of our employees, the stewards of a singular focus: We care. R.F.“Rick” Shangraw Jr., Ph.D - CEO WHERE:The ASU Foundation is located on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. YEAR ESTABLISHED IN ARIZONA: 1955 NUMBER OF ARIZONA EMPLOYEES: 150+

www.asufoundation.org 300 East University Drive Tempe, AZ 85280 480.965.3759 AR-0008213804-01

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36 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: WebPT INDUSTRY: Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 192/192 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Paul Winandy, CEO WEBSITE: webpt.com WebPT is the leading EMR (electronic medical records) for physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. WebPT holds this annual holiday party at a unique venue, the Phoenix Art Museum. Employees can indulge in food truck lunches and “Popcorn Wednesdays,” and every now and then, a Nerf gun battle will break out as part of the company’s ongoing game of Capture the Flag.

COMPANY: ZocDoc INDUSTRY: Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 538/83 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Cyrus Massoumi, Founder & CEO WEBSITE: zocdoc.com ZocDoc is a free service that allows patients to find a nearby doctor or dentist who accepts their insurance. As a healthcare-based company, ZocDoc offers free healthy snacks daily, as well as catered lunches. Friday happy hours often have themed contests, and the team bonds with frequent events such as improve classes and weekly fitness classes. ZocDoc offers its employees unlimited PTO and flexible work hours. Whenever an employee works late, ZocDoc provides a free dinner and taxi ride back home.

LARGE COMPANY LISTINGS

(1000+ EMPLOYEES):

COMPANY: Alliance Residential Company INDUSTRY: Real Estate US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 1,991/537 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Bruce Ward, President & CEO WEBSITE: allresco.com Alliance has invested in more than $3 billion of real estate and manages a $9 billion portfolio with a focus toward superior local leadership and a comprehensive national support infrastructure. Alliance InStyle wardrobe allowance provides fashion-forward career apparel choices for associates from major retailers. Employees are eligible for discounts on apartment homes and have access to discounted corporate suites when traveling.

COMPANY: American Express INDUSTRY: Financial Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 25,600/7,388 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Ken Chenault, Chairman & CEO WEBSITE: americanexpress.com American Express is the world’s largest card issuer, a processor of millions of transactions daily and a partner that provides businessbuilding services. They offer ﬁtness and yoga classes in as well as seated massage therapy and also have a break room with video games, air hockey and foosball. Senior leaders will often drop by an employee’s desk to personally thank them for exceptional results, and American Express’s commitment to the community helped St. Jude’s raise more than $92,000 in 2013.

Providing an extraordinary environment for senior

Our employees make a difference in people’s lives. And we’re committed to making a difference in theirs.

living starts with extraordinary employees. At Vi, we’re committed to supporting the growth of our employees through engaging opportunities such as our Leadership Institute and Management Development Programs. We’re proud to be

TO WORK FOR

IN ARIZONA

selected as one of the top companies to work for in Arizona for a second year in a row. But what we’re most proud of is our high employee satisfaction scores and strong employee retention rates. Vi. An exceptional place to work, learn and grow.

Learn more about exciting opportunities at ViLiving.com/Company/Careers.

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TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | 37

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: Burns & McDonnell INDUSTRY: Engineering, Architecture & Construction US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 4,000/62 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Greg Graves, CEO & Chairman WEBSITE: burnsmcd.com Burns & McDonnell is a full-service engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions ﬁrm. The company has a corporate $75,000 Matching Gifts Program, in which the company provides ﬁnancial support of employee-owners’ favorite charitable effort. Burns & McDonnell’s MacCulture Recognition Program allows managers to recognize exceptional employee-owners throughout the year with an award that recipients can redeem for gift cards from more than 350 merchants.

COMPANY: Camden Development, Inc. INDUSTRY: Real Estate US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 1,779/55 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Ric Campo, CEO & Chairman WEBSITE: camdenliving.com Camden is engaged in the ownership, development, acquisition, management and disposition of multifamily residential apartment communities. In addition to surprise bonuses, employees can take advantage of $20 apartment suites when they are on vacation. The ACE Awards recognizes employees and communities based on their performance in the past year at a local venue with lunch and a paid day off. Camden is active in the community, having helped Operation Home Front and the Arizona Wounded Warrior Program.

COMPANY: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. INDUSTRY: Financial Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 13,600/3,265 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Walter W. Bettinger II, President & CEO WEBSITE: schwab.com Charles Schwab provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and ﬁnancial advisory services. In addition to a Matching Gift program, the Time for Giving program allows employees eight hours of PTO to participate in community service. A Healthy Reward program rewards employees with $250 for completing designated health/wellness activities. Competitions to promote health and ﬁtness include the “Maintain Don’t Gain” wellness competition to inspire and help employees make healthy choices during the holidays.

COMPANY: Discover Financial Services INDUSTRY: Financial Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 13,678/2,504 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: David Nelms, Chairman & CEO WEBSITE: discover.com Discover Financial Services is a direct banking and payments company offering credit cards, banking products, loans and payment services. “Orange Pride” is a committee that offers special give-a-ways on “Orange Out Days” to all employees for showing Discover pride. There is also an Orange Pit room available that offers video games, WiFi connection, TV’s and lounge chairs. The company hosts an elaborate contest where employees can win trips to events such as the Discover Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl parade and game.

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

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Relationship Care® is our commitment to engage with customers in ways that add relevant value for them. Bring your passion for delivering world-class service to American Express. Visit us at: careers.americanexpress.com/worldservice American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.

38 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: Edward Jones INDUSTRY: Financial Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 36,575/2,504 AZ LOCATION: Tempe TOP US EXECUTIVE: Jim Weddle, Managing Partner WEBSITE: edwardjones.com At Edward Jones, financial advisors work with clients to understand personal goals and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio. Every associate has an opportunity to own part of the company. Any associate in good standing with three years of service can be offered partnership. Simply for ensuring diversification in clients’ portfolios, financial advisors earn extravagant trips to exotic destinations across the globe with their families. COMPANY: Fry’s Food Stores INDUSTRY: Retail – Grocery US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 16,984/16,984 AZ LOCATION: Tolleson TOP US EXECUTIVE: Steve McKinney, President WEBSITE: frysfood.com Fry’s has been serving Arizonans’ with fresh food at famous low prices since 1960. Fry’s makes sure to keep its staff rooms updated with all the latest comforts, remodeling the rooms with new furniture and accessories every year. Associates can take part in the annual Dodge Ball & Wacky Costume Contest, the largest competition of its kind in the state. They also offer a two-day event at SunSplash Waterpark. Employees and their families can attend the exclusive event and receive free lunch, snow cones and drinks. COMPANY: GEICO INDUSTRY: Insurance (non-healthcare) US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 31,159/1,248 AZ LOCATION: Tucson TOP US EXECUTIVE: Tony Nicely, CEO WEBSITE: geico.com GEICO, or the Government Employees Insurance Company, was originally founded on the idea that they would target a customer base of U.S. government employees and military personnel. Now, GEICO provides

insurance to a wide range of customers throughout the country. They also provide support to their staff through promotional opportunities and profit sharing. The annual associate appreciation day picnic recognizes the staff’s hard work throughout the year. COMPANY: General Motors Company INDUSTRY: Automotive US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 86,063/365 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Mary Barra, CEO WEBSITE: gm.com General Motors is passionate about designing, building and selling the world’s top vehicles. In addition to top-notch holiday and vacation time, GM offers its staff walking and fitness groups and paid time off to participate in community outreach programs. GM also has multiple holiday-themed events throughout the year, including potlucks and decorating contests, and holds diversity festivals throughout the year. COMPANY: Grant Thornton LLP INDUSTRY: Accounting US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 6,000/71 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: Stephen Chipman, CEO WEBSITE: grantthornton.com Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory organizations. These firms help organizations unlock their potential for growth by providing forwardlooking advice. Proactive teams use insights, experience and instinct to understand complex issues for clients and help them to find solutions. COMPANY: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa INDUSTRY: Hotel/Hospitality US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 40,376/503 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Mark Hoplamazian, CEO WEBSITE: scottsdale.hyatt.com Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa is located in the heart of Gainey Ranch, and

the McDowell Mountains provide a backdrop for the luxury resort. The Hyatt offers free daily meals in the employee dining room, and associates can win up to $500 in the property’s weekly recognition programs. Employees receive complimentary and discount room rates at other Hyatt properties around the world, and Team Stay Fit @ Hyatt allows team members to train together for chair race events such as marathons and bike rides. COMPANY: International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE) INDUSTRY: Travel US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 1,440/1,258 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: John Rowley, CEO WEBSITE: iceenterprise.com ICE provides solutions that include proprietary resort, hotel, cruise, golf, wine and full-service travel booking technology and fulfillment services. Employees can take advantage of discounted travel through payroll deductions, as well as great amenities on the property that include a café, fitness center, massages and a nail salon. Staff members are also recognized during the holiday party and awards ceremony, and employees are eligible for a wine discount as well. COMPANY: Intuit, Inc. INDUSTRY: Financial Software US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 7,226/776 AZ LOCATION: Tucson TOP US EXECUTIVE: Brad Smith, President & CEO WEBSITE: intuit.com Intuit, Inc. is a software company that has developed a number of well-known programs, including Quicken and TurboTax. Employees can take advantage on discounts at more than 30,000 merchants ranging from dining to electronics and travel to software. The Site Leadership team hosts an “End of the Year” celebration at the end of July to celebrate the close of the fiscal year, with the 2013 celebration being carnival themed, including corn dogs and a dunk tank.

COMPANY: JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa INDUSTRY: Hotel/Hospitality US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 102,741/572 AZ LOCATION: Tucson TOP US EXECUTIVE: Arne Sorenson, President & CEO WEBSITE: marriott.com Located in the foothills of Tucson Mountain Park, this luxury resort has three nine-hole golf courses and the Hashani Spa. The property makes sure to keep all its employees involved in the business, with an Innovative Projects program that gives associates the opportunity to solve problems and win up to $1,000. Associate Appreciation Week celebrates the staff with events such as a Diversity Day with foods from around the world and a talent show. COMPANY: Kforce Inc. INDUSTRY: Stafﬁng/Consulting US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 2,389/39 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US EXECUTIVE: David Dunkel, Chairman & CEO WEBSITE: kforce.com Kforce Inc. provides experienced, quality temporary and direct hire personnel and value added talent solutions to organizations. They are encouraging and supportive of work-life balance, including the opportunity to work remotely from home. New skills can be learned and existing skills sharpened through Kforce University. Employee appreciation week includes theme-based dress-up days, massages, funny team competitions, photo booths, rock climbing wall, Guitar Hero band contest, and rafﬂe tickets for prizes like iPads. COMPANY: loanDepot.com INDUSTRY: Financial Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 1,310/182 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Anthony Hsieh, CEO WEBSITE: loandepot.com loanDepot.com is a leader in online residential mortgage lending. They offer employees a casual dress code, and holiday celebrations include St. Patrick’s Day and an Ugly Sweater Contest. Each loanDepot.com location

TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES 2014 2014 | 39 TopCompanies.AZcentral.com | TOP COMPANIES | 39

Top Companies to Work For provides provides more more than than 800 800 pounds pounds of of food food to to local local food food banks banks and and more more than than 400 400 toys toys during during the the month month of of December. December. Quarterly Quarterly company company lunches lunches include include fun fun themes themes such such aa ‘70s ‘70s disco, disco, country country fair fair with with live live animals animals and and aa Vegas-themed Vegas-themed pool pool party. party.

COMPANY: COMPANY: Ryan Ryan LLC LLC INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Corporate Corporate Tax Tax Advisory Advisory Services Services EMPLOYEES: EMPLOYEES: 1,395/94 1,395/94 AZ AZLOCATION: LOCATION: Scottsdale Scottsdale ployees TOP TOP US US EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: Brint Brint Ryan, Ryan, Chairman Chairman & CEO ative & CEO WEBSITE: the WEBSITE: ryan.com ryan.com Ryan up Ryan provides provides aa comprehensive comprehensive range range of of state, state, local, federal and international tax advisory ek local, federal and international tax advisory and as a and consulting consulting services. services. Teams Teams are are given given an an entertainment allowance, and in 2013, he entertainment allowance, and in 2013, all all employees employees went went to to Salt Salt River River Fields Fields to to catch catch aa Diamondbacks game during spring training. Diamondbacks game during spring training. The The firm’s ﬁrm’s flexible ﬂexible workplace workplace program program encourages encourages

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COMPANY: COMPANY: Stryker Stryker Sustainability Sustainability Solutions Solutions INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Healthcare Healthcare –– Medical Medical Technology Technology US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 1,000/270 US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 1,000/270 AZ AZ LOCATION: LOCATION: Tempe Tempe TOP TOP US US EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: Kevin Kevin Lobo, Lobo, President & CEO President & CEO WEBSITE: WEBSITE: stryker.com, stryker.com, sustainability.stryker.com sustainability.stryker.com Stryker provides Stryker provides aa range range of of device device reprocessing, remanufacturing reprocessing, remanufacturing and and consultation consultation services services for for healthcare healthcare providers. providers. Stryker Stryker has has an an employee employee events events committee committee charged charged with with planning planning and and implementing implementing various engagement events various engagement events including including softball softball games, cook-offs and Office games, cook-offs and Ofﬁce Olympics. Olympics. Community Community service service is is encouraged encouraged throughout throughout the year, including holiday the year, including holiday events events such such as as

COMPANY: USAA USAA COMPANY: INDUSTRY: Financial Services INDUSTRY: Financial Services US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 26,267/3,269 US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 26,267/3,269 AZ LOCATION: Phoenix AZ LOCATION: Phoenix TOP US US EXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: Maj. Maj. Gen. Gen. Josue Josue TOP Robles, Jr. (retired), President & CEO Robles, Jr. (retired), President & CEO WEBSITE: usaa.com usaa.com WEBSITE: USAA is a diversified financial services services USAA is a diversified financial organization that provides financial planning, organization that provides financial planning, insurance, investments and banking products. insurance, investments and banking products. The company hosts a Phoenix Family Day at at The company hosts a Phoenix Family Day an Arizona Cardinals NFL game. Employees an Arizona Cardinals NFL game. Employees can stay stay healthy healthy through through the the annual annual USAA USAA can 5K run for employees and family members, as 5K run for employees and family members, as well as the “Ultimate Slim Down” weight loss well as the “Ultimate Slim Down” weight loss challenge. USAA USAA also also hosts hosts aa bowlathon bowlathon challenge. to benefit a local organization. to benefit a local organization.

Genius Avenue S

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Where: Phoenix Year Established in Arizona: 2007 # of Employees in Arizona: 31 Ben Rozum, President

CEO

www.geniusavenue.com 7310 N. 16th St., Suite 228 • Phoenix (602) 795-5464

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ince the day it opened for business in 2007, Genius Avenue has been devoted to helping insurance carriers, third-party administrators, associations, affinity groups, and benefit providers improve their member engagement. The company does this by developing private-labeled, online benefit marketplace technology, which includes administrative services like online benefit enrollment, premium collection, and billing; marketing services such as enrollment communication and nurture marketing; and a variety of unique voluntary benefits.

COMPANY: Valassis Valassis Direct Mail, Inc. COMPANY: INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Marketing ServicesRelations/ INDUSTRY: US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 4,000/122 Marketing AZ LOCATION: Phoenix US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 4,000/122 TOPLOCATION: US EXECUTIVE: AZ PhoenixRob Mason, CEO WEBSITE: valassis.com TOP US EXECUTIVE: Rob Mason, CEO Valassis provides targeted direct mail WEBSITE: valassis.com options for companies looking to mail reach a Valassis provides targeted direct wide range of consumers. Employees options for companies looking to reachare a hired range for 37.5-hour work weeks, but they wide of consumers. Employees are are paid for normal 40-hour work week. Other hired for a37.5-hour work weeks, but they are time for offaoptions Diversity Day for paid normalinclude 40-houra work week. Other volunteer opportunities a birthday time off options include aand Diversity Dayhour for off. “Celebrate Us” is a and corporate-wide group volunteer opportunities a birthday hour that“Celebrate organizes social such as ice-cream off. Us” is events a corporate-wide group socials, tailgatesocial parties, summer and that organizes events such BBQs as ice-cream an associate appreciation breakfast. socials, tailgate parties, summer BBQs and an associate appreciation breakfast.

Genius Avenue makes it easy for people to become members, enroll, and/or purchase products on one custom-branded, user-friendly website. This eliminates the need to use multiple systems for membership or benefit enrollment. Thanks to Genius Avenue’s ability to combine online benefit marketplace technology with marketing and the actual benefits, they provide a complete and one-stop-shop solution to help their clients engage their members, which in turn can increase their clients’ revenue.

Genius Avenue closes an hour early on Fridays – year-round.

40 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For COMPANY: Vanguard INDUSTRY: Financial Services - Investment US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 13,648/2,229 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Bill McNabb, Chairman & CEO WEBSITE: vanguard.com Vanguard, the world’s largest mutual fund company and a leading provider of company sponsored retirement plan services, credits their unique client-owned structure for allowing them to do what is in their clients/ shareholders’ best interest. Vanguard supports their “crew” members with some of the most comprehensive beneﬁts in the industry including the in-house, award winning Vanguard University, Vanguard Work-Life programs, and Vanguard’s Adoption Assistance Program, providing up to $13,360 per adoption for children under age 18, and on-site ﬁtness centers.

COMPANY: Vi INDUSTRY: Healthcare US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 2,390/392 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Randy Richardson, President WEBSITE: viliving.com Vi owns and operates two continuing care retirement communities in Scottsdale. Working for Vi offers a unique culture because Vi employees work in residents’ homes, forming strong bonds between employees and residents. Monthly complimentary lunches are prepared by the culinary staff, and in 2013, Vi awarded more than $148,000 in scholarships to its staff members. Vi also hosts an Annual Alzheimer’s Walk at the community to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association.

COMPANY: Yodle INDUSTRY: Advertising/Public Relations/ Marketing US/AZ EMPLOYEES: 1,170/180 AZ LOCATION: Scottsdale TOP US EXECUTIVE: Court Cunningham, CEO WEBSITE: yodle.com Yodle connects consumers to local businesses simply and cost-effectively through automated technology and comprehensive customer support. Yodle has a ﬂexible paid time-off policy and employees have the ability to decide when and how much vacation they need. They offer a combination of companywide and departmental perks including free healthy snacks, drinks and massages in addition to the chance to win prizes such as trips and game tickets. The company also has toys, gadgets and games around the ofﬁce to help reduce stress.

Top 5 industries for job growth On the fence as to where the jobs are? Look no more. The top ﬁve industries expected to add the most employees are: 1 Information technology 2 Financial services 3 Manufacturing 4 Health care 5 Professional and business services Source: CareerBuilder

Congratulations Top Companies! PROUD TO SERVE IN A COMMUNITY WITH BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS! For the last 20 years, Law Enforcement Specialists has played an important role in helping keep people in the Valley safe by coordinating off duty police officers for a variety of occasions. Our uniformed police officers are available when you need them for construction, corporate, private functions and personal security, banking, retail and homeowners associations. Law Enforcement Specialists is here to serve you with trained professionals who are equipped and empowered to respond decisively.

Thank you, Top Companies, for all you do to create safe and happy workplaces in Arizona!

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offdutypoliceofficers.com 888-572-2442 • 623-825-6700 SBE/WBE/DBE-Minority Certiﬁed info@offdutypoliceofficers.com

Let us put the law on your side!

Bonnie Lucas, Owner Law Enforcement Specialists “I just wanted to thank all of you for your hard work. I know that our requests are not always in a timely manner and easy to ﬁll. You come thru 99.9% of the time, and in construction this is very hard. Thank you for all you do.” – Eva Rodriquez & The Hunter Team

Passion Makes a Difference

Better Business Bureau

Arizona Charter Academy is a K-12 public charter school providing diverse life and community enrichment experiences that take education beyond the classroom. We focus on strong academics, individual purpose and character. Our incredible staff, dedicated business partners and supportive community help make Arizona Charter Academy thrive. Your passion and commitment to excellence in everything we do is why we were named a CareerBuilder Top Company to Work for in Arizona.

Emily Piraino

Matthew Fehling, President/CEO Where: Phoenix Incorporated locally: 1938 # of Arizona Employees: 52 www.bbb.org 4428 N. 12th St., Phoenix (602) 264-1721

Top People Make us a Top Company.

Come Join our Team!

“The school is an icon of what is possible for an educational institution and National Bank of Arizona believes in enhancing entities like ACA that make our community a better place to live and dream. I’m excited about the difference this school is making.” Deborah Bateman, Vice Chairman, National Bank of Arizona

Melissa Holdaway

For Questions, to get involved, or lend support please contact Melissa Holdaway, COO, at 623.974.4959 or mholdaway@azcharter.com.

www.azcharter.com

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or more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau (BBB) has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. They’ve been able to make such a difference in Arizona due to their dedicated and passionate employees who live the brand and mission every day. BBB is much more than just ‘complaints’ as the demand for BBB-Accreditation, customer reviews, scam alerts, industry expert collaborations and technology are redefining the future of the non-profit organization.

42 | TOP COMPANIES 2014 | CareerBuilder

Top Companies to Work For

Alphabetical index of the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona Alliance Residential Company...................... 36 Alliance Bank of Arizona, A Division of Western Alliance Bank............................. 31 Alliance Financial Resources, DBA Alliance Home Loans............................ 31 American Express......................................... 36 Answer 1 Communications .......................... 26 Appointment Plus ......................................... 26 Arizona Charter Academy ............................ 26 Arizona Team ................................................ 26 Ashton Woods Homes.................................. 31 ASU Foundation for a New American University ............................ 32 Axosoft, LLC.................................................. 26 AZPerio, PLLC ............................................... 26 Banner Casa Grande Regional Medical Center ...............................................32 BestIT............................................................ 26 Better Business Bureau................................ 26 Bishop Fox..................................................... 26 Burns & McDonnell ...................................... 37

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Camden Development, Inc. .......................... 37 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. .......................... 37 Clear Title Agency of Arizona....................... 26 ClearCall Solutions ....................................... 32 Comprehensive Hospice and Palliative Care, LLC................................ 26 Core Communications................................... 28 Credit Union West ........................................ 32 Discover Financial Services.......................... 37 EBCO,Inc dba La-Z-Boy.com ......................... 33 Edupoint Educational Systems, LLC............. 33 Edward Jones ............................................... 38 Equity Methods............................................. 28 ethology ........................................................ 28 Fann Contracting Inc..................................... 33 First Fidelity Bank NA................................... 33 Fry’s Food Stores .......................................... 38 GEICO ............................................................ 38 General Motors Company ............................ 38 Genius Avenue .............................................. 28 George Brazil Services ................................. 34

Grant Thornton, LLP...................................... 38 Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC...... 34 Hyatt Regency Phoenix ................................ 34 Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa................................................. 38 International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE)..................................... 38 Intuit, Inc. ...................................................... 38 JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa................................................. 38 Kforce Inc...................................................... 38 KnowledgeNet.............................................. 29 Limelight Networks. Inc. .............................. 34 loanDepot.com.............................................. 38 Lovitt & Touché, Inc...................................... 35 MassMutual Arizona .................................... 29 Miller Russell Associates ............................. 29 Natural Partners Inc. .................................... 29 Nextiva, Inc................................................... 35 OpenTech Alliance, Inc. ................................ 30 Orchard Medical Consulting......................... 30

PCA skin ........................................................ 30 Renters Warehouse Arizona, Inc.................. 30 Retailer Web Services.................................. 31 Rio Salado College........................................ 35 Rose Law Group pc....................................... 31 Ryan LLC ....................................................... 39 SiteLock, LLC................................................. 31 Steve LeVine Entertainment & Public Relations......................................... 31 Stryker Sustainability Solutions................... 39 Telesphere..................................................... 31 The Lavidge Company .................................. 31 Trax Technologies, Inc. ................................. 31 USAA ............................................................ 39 Valassis Direct Mail, Inc. .............................. 39 Vanguard....................................................... 40 Verengo Solar ............................................... 35 Vi .................................................................. 40 WebPT........................................................... 36 Yodle ............................................................. 40 ZocDoc .......................................................... 36

Your career awaits you at USAA. USAA is waiting for you to take the next step and join our team. We have everything you may need and want - medical benefits, 401(k) plan, education assistance plan, employee local and national discounts, discretionary bonuses, paid time off and much more. So, see what we have to offer and join our Phoenix team today!

Apply Online! usaajobs.com

USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. USAA is an EEO/AA/Disabled/Veterans employer. 204773 - 0414 AR-0008211410-01