2018 Best Places to Work in Omaha

Winning ways: Companies that stand out in a crowd OMAHA WORLD-HERALD SPECIAL SECTION • MAY 6, 2018

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Survey identifies cream of crop in employees’ eyes

By Chris Christen WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Each year since 2003, businesses that have mastered the art of employee engagement have found their way into the winners circle of the Best Places to Work in Omaha survey. Here are the 2018 winners, as announced by survey founder Baird Holm LLP and program sponsor, the Greater Omaha Chamber.

Companies with 25 to 200 employees 1. Object Partners 2. Marcotte 3. Vetter Health Services 4. Lutz 5. Sojern Companies with more than 200 employees 1. Oath 2. Olsson Associates 3. Thrasher Inc. 4. Signature Performance 5. OneWorld Community Health Centers Staffing firms with 25 to 200 employees (unranked) Prime Time Healthcare RTG Medical

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Staffing firms with more than 200 employees (unranked) C&A Industries Inc. Medical Solutions LLC This year, there is also one Sustained Excellence Award winner — QLI. This award is given to an organization that has been identified as one of the Best Places to Work in Omaha in at least three out of four consecutive years.

Created by Baird Holm LLP, the Best Places to Work in Omaha initiative measures levels of employee engagement through an online survey. The survey is administered and feedback is provided

by Quantum Workplace.

“While it’s one thing to claim to be a great place to work, it’s another to demonstrate it with outstanding engagement scores,” said Scott S. Moore, a partner at Baird Holm.

“Whether creating, collaborating or just building community, superior organizations deserve applause,’’ said David G. Brown, president and CEO of the chamber. “The Best Places to Work in Omaha initiative celebrates organizations that

have mastered the art of employee engagement, demonstrating what it takes to build and nurture successful teams. We celebrate everyone who participated in the process this year and look forward to learning from the list of winners.”

The 2018 winners will be recognized at a May 24 luncheon at the La Vista Conference Center. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 for a table of 10. For reservations, visit www.bairdholm.com.

A special section produced by the news division of the Omaha World-Herald Project editor Shelley Larsen, 402-444-1143, shelley.larsen@owh.com Copy editors Chris Christen, Marjie Ducey Designer Kiley Cruse Contributing writers Chris Christen, Maggie O’Brien, Mike Whye On the cover (clockwise from top) Thrasher Inc., Lutz, OneWorld Community Health Centers, Vetter Health Services, Object Partners Inc., Oath, Signature Performance, Marcotte For advertising information contact Dan Matuella, 402-444-1485, dan.matuella@owh.com

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Oath employees ham it up at a global event presented by the Women’s Inclusion Network. WIN is one of Oath’s nine employee resource groups.

PHOTO COURTESY O F O AT H

Employees at Oath express goals with their own oath

By Mike Whye WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

The Oath office in Omaha has been around for a while, just under a different name — Yahoo, the Internet-search engine that began in California in 1995.

Yahoo’s Omaha office was opened to handle advertising in 2009 and, in 2011, the company established its global accounting office here, too.

Yahoo was absorbed into Oath, a new company, in 2017.

MERGER “Over the last year we’ve been taking the best of both sides and bringing them together,” said Hobson Powell, Oath’s vice president of optimization services who has worked in the Omaha office for 14 years. “In terms of experience for the employees, we got to meet new people and great brands. “ Powell added that while employees in the Omaha office are still focused on the Yahoo brands, they’re branching out to work on other brands such as TechCrunch, HuffPost and Engadget, which also is part of Oath Inc.

OATH When employees are hired, each goes through an orientation and must create a three-word personal oath that is displayed for everyone to see. “The oath allows you to express what your vision is for your career and how you want to impact the company, explained Bre Phelan,

a lead project manager for the advertising technology team. “That puts ownership on each employee.”

His oath is “Strength Through Creativity.”

“Learn or Die” is Powell’s oath.

He explained that people always need to learn in order to survive in business and adapt to changes in the world. “If we’re not learning, then we’re going backward,” he said.

or New York.

Free food in the offices is a hit with the employees.

teams and given advertising problems to solve.

Also, many people have come to Oath through referrals of friends already working there.

Although Oath has people applying to work there, it still recruits.

“Any company in our industry has to work really hard to attract the type of talent we want,” said Chris Strazzella, director of talent acquisition.

CULTURE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The bosses at Oath are very open, Phelan said. “They are amazing employers from the standpoint of supporting your aspirations and helping train you for where you want to go in your career,” she said.

Oath supports employees who help others outside the office in many ways, including working with veterans and building houses for Habitat for Humanity.

PERKS

RECRUITING

Oath has a global exchange program among its offices. For example, someone in the Omaha office may work for a week in London, Munich

To introduce itself to college students, Oath hosts an annual competition, called the Knockout, where students are divided into

Employee-led resource groups foster open dialogue about issues such as diversity and leadership, family care, veterans’ needs, networking for women and more.

Oath First place, large category Location: 14010 FNB Parkway Employees: 300 in the Omaha office, a few dozen in La Vista data center and about 12,000 worldwide Primary business: Internet media technology

EMPLOYEE BETTERMENT

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Olsson Associates aims to take care of employees, clients

By Mike Whye WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Olsson Associates is an engineering firm that specializes in many disciplines. • Those include highway, railroad and bridge designs, plus telecommunications, structural designs, community planning, landscape architecture, civil surveys, alternative energy systems and water resources.

Its 1,000-plus employees work in eight states.

HISTORY In 1957, John E. Olsson, a mechanical engineer, started the business in Lincoln.

In 1997, the company opened an office in Omaha, which was relocated to Aksarben Village in 2009. The Omaha office has about 150 employees.

WORKDAY Technically, most workdays are from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays run shorter, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Flexible work hours allow some employees to arrive later in the mornings for things such as taking children to school or other appointments, said Katie Underwood, a team leader in Omaha, who added that employees are still expected to complete their assignments.

CULTURE The first tenet at Olsson is that it takes care of its employees, said Brian Osborn, environmental team leader. The second tenet is that it takes care of its clients.

Olsson gives responsibility to employees regardless of age or experience, Underwood said. “Some people would be uncomfortable with that, but it goes along with our culture.

The people at Olsson really appreciate that.”

Adam Christensen, who had worked at Olsson as a college intern and then worked at other firms after graduation, said he knew that Olsson’s culture was good, but he didn’t know how good until he had worked elsewhere.

“I didn’t have a bad experience at the other places. It’s just that Olsson is better and works for me,” said Christensen, who returned to Olsson 5½ years ago to start its structural engineering department.

COMMUNITY Olsson allows employees to take time to tend to community projects, such as when Underwood served on the Omaha Public Schools board for 1½ years. “Olsson

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F O L S S O N A S S O C I AT E S

Olsson Associates, which employs more than 1,000 in eight states, is headquartered at Aksarben Village.

Olsson Associates Second place, large category Office: 2111 S. 67th St. Employees: 1,000-plus in 26 offices in eight states Primary business: Consulting engineering

encourages community service,” Christensen said. “The firm gives us good opportunities to take time away from the office to set up community outreach services.”

Once a new employee completes the orientation, that person moves onto a team for more training in the first few weeks of employment.

TRAINING

PERKS

A few years ago, Olsson implemented a company-wide orientation for new employees.

Most of this is now on the Internet, Christensen said.

“It’s a semi-interactive, web-based training to introduce new members to human resources, insurance, our culture and more,” he said.

Olsson has bonus structures to reward employees financially for good work.

“If you’re a high performer, you get rewarded very well, plus you have the satisfaction of working on successful projects,” Osborn said.

Beside compensation for jobs well-done, Olsson likes its employees to recognize

each other in its everyday thanks program.

Sometimes the thanks is expressed on the Internet, and sometimes employees receive gift cards.

Also, the company offers tuition assistance to full- and part-time employees. Christensen knows of colleagues who have used the program to earn advanced degrees in their disciplines.

TEAMWORK Olsson’s teams operate in their own ways as they strive to meet common goals for their clients. “On our team, we have weekly team and workload meetings to talk about who’s assigned to which projects, what the deadlines are and if we need to move people around, and what skill sets serve which client and project the best,” said Underwood, who has 28 people on her team.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THRASHER

Thrasher employee Riley Baker, above, works on a job site. At right, Thrasher’s Leadership Immersion Group stands outside Lutheran Family Services, the local charity it was supporting. From left are Greg Thrasher, Lisa Kassera, Eric Kerschner, Brent Foreman, Tiffanie Ceynar, Nick Leininger, Dan Thrasher, Addison Bellamy, Nancy Thrasher, Sara Rosburg and Aaron Ruskamp.

Thrasher looks for team-first employees with integrity

By Maggie O’Brien //

WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Thrasher Inc. is arguably one of Omaha’s most recognizable family-run home companies. • The 43-year-old contracting firm was started by a couple on the porch of their home and now specializes in waterproofing basements, repairing home foundations, measuring and mitigating radon, encapsulating crawlspaces, installing egress windows, and leveling and replacing concrete.

TALENT Human Resources Director Kari Yost said it’s not necessary to have construction experience to get a job at Thrasher. Instead, the company seeks to hire people who demonstrate a positive attitude as well as integrity and a team-first mentality and then trains them on Thrasher’s products and services.

TRAINING Coaching is a huge part of Thrasher’s environment. Leaders want their employees to be both excellent at their jobs and eager to come to work every day. All employees go through a new-hire orientation called Culture Immersion. Depending on the employee’s position, immersion lasts anywhere from two days to four weeks.

“It is important to us that our employees know our history, get embedded in our culture, and also, understand how their role impacts all areas of the company,” Yost said. “Additionally, we focus on honest

Thrasher Inc. Third place, large companies Offices: Headquarters, 12330 Cary Circle, La Vista; office in Wichita Employees: 250 Primary business: Construction (residential and commercial) and transparent conversations with our employees. We have consistent check-ins throughout the year that focus on growth, development and performance.”

CULTURE “We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and when we say that, it is more than just words to us. It’s what we believe in our hearts,” Yost said. “We strive to bring out the best in our employees and help them see a better version of themselves.”

Thrasher doesn’t push for a work-life balance; instead, the company strives for work-life integration. Said Yost: “We believe

that if we can create an environment where employees feel a burning passion and fulfillment from their work, they can go home to create a happier family. And those happy families create happy neighborhoods and communities.”

RETAINMENT The company conducts year-round “boot camps” for sales and production employees.

The management team is committed to doing ongoing check-ins and reviews with workers.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Thrasher’s core values include One

Community. Company leaders believe employees should advocate for the community in order to return the blessings they have been given. They believe gratitude and reciprocity are crucial to both the company and the community and offer employees various opportunities to work in the community, whether in small groups, a leadership program or an entire company event. Employees have helped local nonprofits increase their brand awareness.

In addition, the Thrasher family matches employee donations to nonprofits up to $500 per employee.

GROWTH Founded in Earling, Iowa, by Greg and Nancy Thrasher in 1975, the company began on their porch with a borrowed pickup truck.

Four decades later, Thrasher has grown by expanding staff and offering new products and services to the areas it serves. Thrasher opened an office in Wichita, Kansas, last year.

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Signature Performance says culture’s impact goes beyond its employees

By Mike Whye WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Signature Performance essentially operates as a business office for firms in the health care industry. Hospitals, clinics and physicians groups are able to keep operating expenses as low as possible while maximizing services.

HISTORY CEO Allen Frederickson started the firm with eight employees in 2004 to provide aid to the business offices of health care providers.

It has since added working with the offices of payers such as Medicare, Medicaid and insurance companies. Signature now has more than 800 employees.

When Signature started, the administrative costs at a hospital were less than 10 percent of a hospital bill. That has increased to 20 to 30 percent, and Signature works to shrink those expenses.

“The more we can reduce the administrative costs, the more a firm can lower the cost of health care or provide more health care access,” Frederickson said.

CULTURE Signature believes how a company operates affects more than its employees. “Culture has an impact on people at work and outside of work and on clients an employee interacts with, Frederickson said. “It also has impact not only on greater engagement in the workplace but in the community, resulting in higher volunteer numbers and more engagements in community causes, areas of interest and just a more active life in general.”

HIRING Company officials look at applicants to see whether they align philosophically with the company’s culture, Frederickson said.

Katie Keasing, who has been with Signature for three years and supervises the patient

account specialists, said the people she met in her interview were warm and inviting. She said she knew immediately Signature was where she wanted to work because she could tell employees were genuinely happy there.

TRAINING

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Unrivaled.

Relentless.

SUSTAINED.

Every person who is hired at Signature receives one-on-one training for about two days to learn about the company. After that, each department has a trainer.

The company continues training through “Signature You,” which provides certifications and classes on communication and leadership. It also teaches about Gallup strength-based organizations.

Considering that 48 percent of the employees are 35 and younger, Signature encourages professional growth to help plan for the company’s future with a good succession plan.

PERKS Besides allowing casual dress on Fridays, Signature has contests to win chances to wear jeans or casual attire on other days, too. It has awarded Kindle Fire tablets for good work. Hours are flexible, and some employees in some departments can work from home. The company hosts employee outings at Omaha Storm Chaser baseball games and holds raffles for tickets to events at CenturyLink Center Omaha. It also hosts an annual party in January and has potluck meals and holiday meals, including a Thanksgiving lunch, which is served by the executives.

Employees receive tuition benefits, and their children can apply for company scholarships.

RECOGNITION Signature created its OSPAR program to provide Outstanding Signature Performance Associate Recognition. Employees doing outstanding work can be nominated by their peers or even by someone outside the company. A committee reviews the nominations to present quarterly OSPAR awards and then an annual OSPAR recipient is chosen from those and recognized at an allcompany luncheon and a black-tie event.

Signature Performance Fourth place, large category Office: 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Employees: About 800 Primary business: Business processing in the health care industry 2089004-01

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OneWorld Community Health sees company as a family

By Mike Whye WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

OneWorld Community Health Centers, a 48-yearold health care provider in South Omaha, started out in a house that was visited by a physician who provided care to people with limited incomes. Today its services range from pediatrics and dentistry to behavioral health, adult medicine, women’s health and more.

HISTORY OneWorld Community Health Centers Inc. began as a grassroots organization in 1970 to provide free health care to people with linguistic, financial and cultural barriers. The nonprofit company is now the largest health care provider in South Omaha, and it has clinics and satellite operations in 11 locations across the metro area and in Plattsmouth.

CULTURE Noting that OneWorld was started by a family, CEO Andrea Skolkin said that even with more than 460 employees, it thinks of itself as a family, although a large one. “There’s a culture of welcoming and respectful,” she said. “That’s the core for our employees.”

Alina Ceballos, supervisor of family practice assistance,

OneWorld Community Health Centers Inc. Fifth place, large category Office: Livestock Exchange Building, 4920 S. 30th St. Employees: More than 460 Primary business: Health care provider likes the open-door policy. She said she can approach the executives at any time with any concern. It’s such a good company, she said, that it’s where she wants to work until she retires.

TEAMWORK When people arrive with health issues, the OneWorld team takes care of them — from checking them in and assuring them that they will receive the help they need, to providing medical assistance and behavioral health and more.

Good team work is critical for patient care, said pharmacist Jeanie Shipman. “I’m proud of the teamwork that OneWorld has.”

Monthly meetings keep employees apprised of what’s going on in OneWorld. “This also gives us a chance to meet someone that we otherwise would not have known,” Shipman said.

COMMUNITY OneWorld has had close ties with the South Omaha community since its inception. Members of its minority health group go into the community to do blood pressure and weight

checks and even engage in Zumba classes.

Skolkin said that if something arises in the community, such as an immigration issue, that affects OneWorld.

“We take affirmative steps, and that breeds trust in us.

We’re compassionate for those who don’t have resources,” she said Ceballos, who has been with OneWorld for 14 years, said employees have helped with many community efforts, including the United Way, Pride Week, the Maya Health Fair, the Nebraska AIDS Project, the Cinco de Mayo parade, the Susan G. Komen run and the Women’s March.

VOLUNTEERS Besides being a nonprofit, OneWorld uses volunteers to help in various areas. Volunteer coordinator Tiffany Nguyen oversees 35 volunteers who teach ESL classes, help in the administrative offices, act as interpreters, and assist in diabetes and nutrition classes.

PERKS OneWorld hosts picnics for its employees and holiday events with food and dancing. It also promotes healthy living not only for patients but also its employees. A community garden serves employees and diabetic patients. The HR department solicits advice from employees on events they would like to have.

OneWorld has life skills seminars for employees along with a mindfulness series and financial-planning sessions.

The company has a fund called the Robin’s Nest for employees who may have financial problems. “They can apply for help to get them through a crisis,” Skolkin said.

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Four staffing firms honored for efforts

By Mike Whye WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

A staffing firm places people in temporary or part-time positions while a recruitment firm fills permanent positions.

Several staffing firms have started in the Omaha area, and some are among the largest medically focused firms in the nation.

Four staffing firms are among the Best Places to Work in Omaha.

C&A INDUSTRIES INC.

MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

RTG MEDICAL

PRIME TIME HEALTHCARE

13609 California St. C&A Industries started in 1969 when Larry Courtnage, an engineer, began finding jobs for his fellow engineers. As the company grew, it added other recruitment and placement operations, including the health care fields. CEO Scot Thompson said a large percentage of job applications come from referrals by C&A’s 710 employees.

C&A has a lot of great people who are passionate about what they do, creating a culture that attracts others from outside the company, Courtnage said.

The firm holds surprise events to boost employee morale and socialization. Food usually is involved. Ice cream, nachos, small pies and specialty coffees have been among the treats.

1010 N. 102nd St. Medical Solutions concentrates on placing traveling nurses in jobs where they want to live for a while.

(It even offers them advice about pet care.) Christy Johnson, chief people officer, said employees are encouraged to spend two half-days a year volunteering with charities. The company has sponsored programs such as 5K and 10K runs plus one with Planet Water to build water towers in countries that need clean drinking water.

Employee perks include free healthy breakfasts and lunches, onsite massages, a casual dress code, flex scheduling and even a concierge to help with personal tasks outside the office.

The company also arranges for nurses to help at Roundup River Ranch, a camp for children who are terminally or severely ill.

1005 E. 23rd St., Fremont RTG Medical is a veteran-owned company that began in 2000 to connect health care personnel with facilities that need their help on a temporary or permanent basis.

“Our open floor plan allows people to feed off each other because they’re near each other,” said Veronica Barrientos, marketing and brand ambassador.

Jeremy Guenthner, chief operating officer, said employees perform best when they’re comfortable. RTG has a Starbucks-inspired lobby with coffee machines. Employees have gone on company-sponsored trips to places such as the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas.

14811 Shepard St. The company helps place people in the health care industry in parttime and full-time positions, but the main emphasis is nursing.

Michelle Heilig, a team leader and account manager, said she feels challenged every day. “It’s invigorating and exciting, and that’s one of the benefits of being here.

You can drive yourself to be as successful as you want to be.”

Heilig was impressed when the company saw the results of an internal survey and initiated additional training and support that employees requested.

Prime Time hosts celebrations when certain goals are met, reserves theaters for opening nights of movies and sends employees to Scheels to buy shoes.

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We continue to have a positive impact on the success of thousands of businesses who take advantage of our promotional dominance. We are allied with one of the most revered companies in the world, Berkshire Hathaway. We have an abundance of career fields locally and across the United States. And we have an esteemed reputation for doing what is right.

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P H O T O C O U RT E S Y O F O B J E C T PA RT N E R S

Company employees struggle to keep their footing while competing in the OPI Olympics tug of war event.

Aptitude and attitude important at Object Partners

By Maggie O’Brien WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Object Partners Inc. has more than doubled its Omaha employee roster in its first five years. • How? The technology executives who founded the software consulting firm say they know what they’re looking for in employees — and they’ve found them in Omaha. • The company’s headquarters is in Minnesota, but its satellite office in the Big O plays a key role, including growth.

HIRING Object Partners primarily looks for very experienced, senior-level software engineers. But it also considers engineers with less experience who are able to communicate at the senior level.

“We look for individuals who are self-starters and driven to produce great software because they don’t know another way,” said Mark Ruch, director of consulting services. “Education level is not a primary measuring device. Technical knowledge and aptitude combined with experience and attitude are the more primary factors.”

TRAINING, RETAINING The company doesn’t have a training program for employees. Instead, it has a handful of internal projects that could lay a foundation of technical knowledge in certain areas as an employee learns the ropes. Mostly, Ruch said, Object Partners relies on a employee to keep his or her skills up-to-date relative to their interest areas. Object Partners offers its software consultants a yearly education and training budget for conferences, training, books and other resources that allow for them to stay at the

Object Partners Inc. First place, medium companies Offices: Headquarters in Minneapolis; office at 1303 S. 72nd St., Suite 201, in Omaha Employees: About 110 total; 37 in Omaha Primary business: Software consulting across multiple industries; specializing in platform modernization and transformation forefront of cutting-edge technology.

Once an employee is hired at Object Partners — OPI for short — few are in a hurry to leave.

Ruch said the company’s ability to attract and retain employees may be attributed to the “outstanding benefits OPI gives its employees and the flat, open and honest organization at the top.” All pieces of OPI’s overhead, non-billing organization are geared to assist consultants on their ultimate career path. “We strive to put our consultants in jobs that challenge them intellectually as well as technically.”

Many OPI clients come to the software engineers with challenging issues that need solutions. They rely on Object Partners’

engineers to introduce tools and languages to their teams and expand their in-house knowledge base and technical capabilities, Ruch said. “If we are failing our employees in any of these areas, they have direct communications lines to sales, general managers and our president.”

COMMUNITY SERVICE Many of Object Partners’ employees are active in local and regional software development communities as speakers for meet-ups, conferences and corporate events.

OPI Omaha is in the early stages of creating an “introduction to programming” class for youths in hopes of planting seeds for more diversity in race and gender in the software industry.

The company is working to team up with other community education programs to advance this practice.

GROWTH In five years, OPI has grown from roughly 16 consultants to 34 based in Omaha. In addition to more than doubling its consulting staff, the Omaha office has two full-time salespeople and a general manager for the branch, for a total of 37.

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Marcotte employees at Hope Lodge: Front row, from left: Leah Johnson (yellow sweater), Lydia Sichmeller (purple sweater), Denise Christensen and Micole Jones.

Middle row: Jane Spaulding (black coat), Cathi Gage (salmon shirt), Jerica Wild, Hannah Bishop and Amanda Cramm. Back row: Sara Adams, Mike Glaser.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCOTTE

Marcotte touts fun, ‘remarkably different’ environment

By Maggie O’Brien //

WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

The people who work at Marcotte agree: It’s a fun place to be employed. • “The culture is very relaxed. ... It’s apparent the organization cares about the staff’s wellbeing,” one employee said. • Marcotte has been in business since 1927, providing wealth management, insurance programs and other services to clients from various industries. • “Our people really are remarkably different,” a LinkedIn posts reads, “and are proud to be providing solutions in business risk management, employee benefits, (human resources) consulting, retirement plans, individual wealth management and insurance for over 90 years.”

HIRING New hires share the company’s core values: get it done, do it right, put clients’ best interests first, have fun, and treat each other like family. Company leaders look for people to be independent advisers who connect clients with providers to help their businesses succeed.

Team members are expected to work hard for their clients and be both knowledgeable and passionate about retirement and employee benefit plans, personal insurance and financial solutions.

Marcotte

and marketing.

Second place, medium companies Offices: Headquarters at 9394 West Dodge Road, Suite 250, Omaha; office in Kearney Employees: 55 Primary business: Business and personal solutions provider in areas of risk management and insurance, safety and human resources consulting, employee benefits, retirement plans, individual financial wellness education and wealth management, and personal home and auto protection.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

CULTURE Leaders reward staff for hard work; they want everyone to come to work happy. Happy employees are the key to employee success with clients, the company believes.

“Wellness is promoted throughout the organization,” an employee said.

TRAINING Marcotte has a rigorous on-boarding and training program that allows employees to hit the ground running, according to Trish Maynard, who oversees business development

Quarterly, the company encourage its staff to spend an entire workday volunteering for a charity that is important to them — without having to take a vacation day. Additionally, Marcotte as a company supports two local charities each year through fundraising activities and volunteer hours.

“Social responsibility is taken seriously,” one employee said, “and fundraising is an ongoing activity.”

GROWTH Marcotte was founded in 1927 and has evolved into a fullservice solutions firm.

“You are not going to find a more wholesome company which encourages success and provides a platform for success,” an employee said.

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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F V E T T E R H E A LT H S E RV I C E S

Vetter employees are known for their “yes, I can” attitude. Abpve from left are Jalene Carpenter, operations coordinator; Glenn Van Ekeren, company president; and Shari Terry, chief operations officer.

At left, Jack Vetter, CEO and co-founder (bottom left with red sweater and blue jeans) and the Vetter Health Services home office team.

Vetter Health Services aims to ‘live by the Golden Rule’

By Maggie O’Brien //

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

With 62 employees, Vetter Health Services is the kind of company where co-workers become close friends. It’s no coincidence, though. • “There are group lunches on Friday where we all eat together,” employee Stacy Trede said. “It is a great chance to catch up and get to know co-workers you don’t interact with on a daily basis.” • Terri Ernesti, a registered nurse, said Vetter employees “truly live our mission vision and values on a daily basis. I always feel valued and appreciated. VHS helps me be a better person.”

HIRING The right VHS candidates, company leaders say, have a “yes, I can” attitude and are committed to exceeding the expectations of the people they serve. The VHS mission, “Dignity in Life,” is demonstrated every day by staff treating each client as the most important person in their lives, said Rhonda Flanigan, chief people officer. She said service, integrity, teamwork and excellence are the foundation for Vetter’s dynamic work environment.

TRAINING, RETAINING Employees who are new to Vetter Health Services are assigned two mentors who guide and support them throughout their first year of employment. In addition, other VHS team members and supervisors strategically check in on new hires at 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after their first day on the job.

New team members also go through four to six days of individual orientation. During that time, they are meeting, greeting and learning about their co-workers’ jobs as well as

Vetter Health Services Third place, medium category Office: 20220 Harney St. Employees: 62 Primary business: Health-care management specializing in senior care

their own role in the company. Once a new team member is better acclimated, he or she attends the Vetter Way Experience, a three-day program that covers company history as well as Vetter’s mission, vision and values — and its plan for the future. Employee growth and development is enhanced through an online learning management system that provides training to team members in areas such as benefits, compliance and core competencies.

Vetter believes in developing its team, providing employees with the education, tools and resources necessary to be

successful. “Consistent and fair … these are two words I can use with assurance when describing how Vetter Health Services treats their employees,” nurse Christine Pokorny said. “I just celebrated my 23rd anniversary with the firm, and without a doubt, they definitely live by the Golden Rule (of treating others as one would want to be treated).”

COMMUNITY SERVICE VHS provides community support through individual involvement in community organizations such as Community 360, Assistance League, Special Olympics Nebraska, CHI Health Foundation, the Brain Injury Alliance and Youth for Christ. Every team member supports the Vetter Foundation, which positively impacts local charities, research, education and other charitable endeavors around the world.

GROWTH Founded in 1975 with the purchase of their first facility, Jack and Eldora Vetter began a tradition of care that serves as an example of excellence to the profession.

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Sojern seeks to have engaged and motivated employees

By Mike Whye //

2092255-01

WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Sojern analyzes what people are searching for on the Internet — without identifying them — and provides that information to companies in the travel industry for target marketing purposes.

Strength, Stability and Integrity

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GROWTH Sojern started in Omaha in 2007 with 15 people, said Brent Brummer, vice president of business strategy and operations and general manager of the Omaha offices. Today, it has more than 450 employees in 13 offices across the world. Although its corporate headquarters moved to San Francisco in 2010, Sojern’s largest group of employees — 150 — remains based in two Omaha offices that soon will become one near 180th and Burke Streets.

RECRUITING The firm hosts two recruiting events a year in Omaha. Each includes a two-hour presentation and time for networking with employees. “We tell them about Sojern, our entry-level roles and our work environment,� which includes a casual dress code, recruiter Jill Case said.

NEW HIRES Monthly orientations for those most recently hired include a one-hour presentation by the members of the executive team — including CEO Mark Rabe — who share Sojern’s history and its future, according to Corrie Klostermeyer, people operations manager.

Business unit leaders also share insights. “Our leadership team genuinely cares about our employees and wants to keep our employees engaged and motivated and (let them) know they have the opportunity to grow,� Brummer said. “We want them to optimize themselves.�

TRAINING Training is done by unit managers over an intensive two weeks of classroom work, job shadowing, mentoring and more.

WORK TIME “As long as you’re putting in your time and doing your work, we give it back to you as free time,� said Klostermeyer, noting there is some

EMPLOYEE PICKUP

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOJERN

We are looking for motivated, analytical, and energetic people to join our team!

Sojern holds an annual sand volleyball tournament.

availability to work from home if necessary.

Career Opportunities

PERKS

Accounting Claim Operations Client/Customer Service Compliance Finance Information Technology Legal Marketing Underwriting

Free hotel stays, particularly in cities where Sojern has offices, promote employee travel and networking.

PULSE Although Sojern has transparent leadership, the company conducts quarterly engagement surveys to learn what its employees are thinking. Similarly, every May the company hosts a global conference in Omaha. “It’s important to have that tie with our teams,�

Klostermeyer said. “It’s nice to have that time to bond and to work on things we want to accomplish as a company.�

DOWNTOWN

COMMUNITY SERVICE “Sojern Gives Back� enables each employee to volunteer up to 40 hours a year on community projects on company time, senior sales executive Shaela Wepfer said.

Sojern Fifth place, medium category Offices: 810 S. 169th St. and 16850 Frances St. in Omaha; headquarters in San Francisco Employees: About 450 worldwide Primary business: Data capturing to increase online bookings for travel clients, including hotels, tourism offices, airlines and cruise operators

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• Sunday, May 6, 2018

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