MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2012
www.wcfcourier.com
EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE 2012
PAGE 11
THE COURIER
Community involvement a top program at KWWL By ANGELA HOLMES newsroom@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — When not bringing Northeast Iowa the latest news, sports and weather, KWWL employees devote their time and talents to their communities. KWWL’s parent company, Quincy Inc., encourages its employees to be involved in community activities, said KWWL News Director Dan Schillinger. “It’s a company that truly believes in giving back to the community,” he said. Here are a few examples of employees’ involvement: ■ Anchor Ron Steele co-chaired last year’s United Way campaign. He also is a board member of the University of Iowa Alumni Association, serves as a mentor for the Waterloo schools, volunteers for the Department of Human Services “Dream Team” and aids Lutheran Social Services, helping foster children. He’s also a board member of the Cedar Valley Sports Commission and helps at the Grout Museum.
No. 10 ● ADDRESS: 6711 Chancellor Drive, Cedar Falls. ● TELEPHONE: 268-9151. ● WEBSITE: www.meandv.com. ● NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 44. ● WHAT THE COMPANY DOES: ME&V is a full-service, strategic advertising, marketing, public relations and fundraising consultancy. ● HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS
ME&V From page 10 “It’s a team,” Vandeventer said. “We walk in every day with a mission. Things are done on time and done well.” Keeping employees up with new skills is also important to the workflow. “Just in the last six months, I have had the opportunity to attend a Microsoft tutorial that has improved my efficiency on
No. 11
KWWL
● ADDRESS: 500 E. Fourth St., Waterloo. ● PHONE: 291-1207. ● WEBSITE: www.kwwl.com. ● NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 70. ● WHAT THE COMPANY DOES: Local television broadcasting with an emphasis on local news and weather. ● HOW IT STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD: KWWL has significant history as a
■ Anchor Tara Thomas helps Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteers at a local elementary school. ■ Meteorologist Eileen Loan is the market manager for the Urbana Farmers Market and coordinator for the Vinton Youth Garden. ■ Reporter Nikki Newbrough is a member of the Waverly Jaycees and serves as an assistant coach for a high school track team. ■ Reporter Kera Mashek is a member of the Waterloo Jaycees and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. ■ General Manager Jim McKer-
legacy station with a strong reputation locally. The station won an Emmy for outstanding local morning newscast. ● COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: American Heart Association, Waterloo Community Playhouse, Cedar Falls Community Theatre, United Way, Red Cross, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, McElroy Trust Gold Star Teacher’s Awards and Best of Class, among others.
nan is actively involved in local chambers of commerce. ■ Local sales manager John Huff served as a chairman of the local Red Cross. ■ Assistant News Director Eric Page is a Boy Scout leader and coach for Metro Youth Football. “We really are a part of the community,” McKernan said. “One of the cornerstones of the company is mutual respect.” In a typical year, KWWL donates more than $2 million worth of free advertising time to
ANGELA HOLMES / Courier Correspondent
From left, KWWL meteorologist Jeff Kennedy and news anchors Tara Thomas and Ron Steele prepare for a newscast in the Waterloo studio. a variety of local organizations, but we are also encouraged to like the United Way, the Red have fun. The company recently Cross, local animal shelters and organized a family bowling night for employees and their families, others. “KWWL is a company that just one example of a company believes employees should enjoy that works hard to take care of coming to work every day,” its most important asset — its Schillinger said. “We work hard, staff.”
ME&V FIELD: ME&V is charged to live out its mission of generating electrifying results for its clients across the country. ● COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Partners and staff serve on many local boards, including the Cedar Valley Alliance, Junior Achievement, Junior League, Cedar Valley Young Professionals, American Cancer Society and the Waterloo Airport Commission.
using Word, Outlook and Excel,” said Sarah Albertson. “I have also attended a sales training for two days that inspired me to work harder.” ME&V’s commitment to employees’ well-being and job satisfaction makes the company a great place to work, said Laura Cahalan. “Everyone here is like a big, extended family,” she said. “Each person truly cares about the rest of the team, management included.”
Service • Leadership Involvement
Hello Better.
SM
A Team You Can Believe In
At Next Generation Wireless, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve. That’s what makes us different. We thank you, our employees, for not being satisfied until our customers are, being loyal to your company, believing in what we stand for, and delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction. Thank you for nominating us for the Employer of Choice Awards. Next Generation Wireless employees, we believe in you.
Cedar Falls
Waterloo
Waverly
6301 University Ave. (Inside College Square Mall) 319-266-2500
1513 Flammang Dr. (Next to Starbucks) 319-226-3500
1810 4th St. SW (Across from Norby’s Farm Fleet) 319-352-6200