FUN CONDUCTOR
IAN FRANZ, VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS
Officially the director of employee relations, Ian Franz is better known as the Veterans United fun conductor. His specific duties include teaching and reinforcing VU company values, overseeing the perks program and employee recognition pieces, and fostering a fun, relaxed and values-driven environment. “A lot of the time, the stuff I do is just plain fun — things like making videos, performing on stage at our company holiday party and just joking around with employees,” he says. One of his favorite duties is leading the team that puts on the annual Field Day, which actually lasts two days. “Our employees get to be kids again,” he says. “We take over
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Cosmo Park and compete in all sorts of games and activities. We really get to know our co-workers. Teams are split up, and people are interacting with new people. It’s funny, but I feel like a proud dad watching all my kids make new friends.” So much fun, and Franz very nearly missed his chance to lead it. He started at Veterans United as a loan processor and a couple of years in, was offered his current position, which was just being created. “The crazy thing is I very nearly turned it down because it sounded almost too freeform and autonomous — it was outside of my comfort zone,” he says. “Boy, would I have kicked myself for that.”