Best Companies to Work for in Colorado ’09
Page 8
Best Company winner
Exclusive Resorts LLC
www.exclusiveresorts.com
Exclusive Resorts offers an extravagant and generous perk — the Employee Usage travel benefit. Jeff Potter, CEO, and Jill Lloyd pose in front of a portrait of an Exclusive Resort home.
Exclusive Resorts clients spend a lot of money — between $100,000 and $500,000, in most cases — for a vacation stay that combines the luxury of a hotel and the comfort of a private residence in locations from Chicago to the French Alps.
That’s why “we thought it was very important to create a work environment where people would be motivated to serve these clients,” said David Kallery, ER’s senior vice president of human resources. Probably the biggest job perk for ER’s 167 Colorado workers is the opportunity to enjoy vacations like the wealthy people they take care of while on the clock.
“That’s something we just started a year or two ago,” Kallery said. “It’s certainly one of the best motivators.”
The hospitality industry often struggles with the transient nature of its work force, but ER has been able to entice employees to stay, thanks to its unique travel program and other benefits, including a 401(k) match, gym membership and professional development program, he said.
“One of the things we wanted to create here is a culture where people would want to stay and grow their careers and be here for many, many years,” Kallery said. That works well for a company – and for clients who appreciate it when workers know when and where they like to play golf and which of their children likes to ski.
“I can tell you that members are attracted to the fact that we have these big beautiful homes, four -, five – and six-bedroom homes in beautiful locations around the world,” Kallery said. “But that can easily be duplicated by other companies. Our employees are what make Exclusive Resorts different.”
ER was founded in 2002 but really took off after 2004, when AOL founder Steve Case became involved in the company; he’s majority owner and a board member.
The company’s business model, which was new at the time of the company’s birth, attracted people who wanted to be a part of something unique, Kallery said.
The company’s CFO came from Marriott, the head of hospitality, from Ritz-Carlton, Kallery said. “A lot of employees that were here when it was a true startup are still here today,” he said. “We consider ourselves a young and largely entrepreneurial company.”
New to list
– Mary Butler
4
Best Company winner
Stanley Consultants Inc.
www.stanleyconsultants.com
Founded: 1913
Location: Denver; headquartered Muscatine, Iowa.
CEO: Greg Thomopulos
2008 revenue: $214 million; $26 million in Colorado
Colorado workers: 174
In a nutshell: Provider of engineering, environmental and construction services worldwide.
What’s special: The employee-owned company calls its workers “members.” “Our corporate culture places emphasis on our members as our most important assets. Throughout the history of the company, we have been able to attract and retain exceptional people.”
Perks: 401(k) and stock bonus plan, to which the company contributes the equivalent of 1 percent of a member’s compensation each year. The privately held company’s stock value has averaged a better than 20 percent return per year since 2004.
Values: Professional development: The company offers three different mentoring and leadership programs to groom and assist workers in their efforts to advance through the ranks.
New to list
5
Best Company winner
Classic Residence by Hyatt
Highlands Ranch
www.hyattclassic.com
Founded: 1987
Located: Highlands Ranch; headquartered in Chicago
CEO: Randy Richardson
2008 revenue: More than $300 million
Colorado workers: 108
In a nutshell: Provider of luxury living communities and quality care for older adults.
What’s special: Tuition reimbursement. The company supports employee development by paying partial or full reimbursement of tuition costs — up to $6,000 per calendar year — with the goal of retaining and attracting the best talent.
Perks: Each October, the company hosts a wellness fair, offering health information, food, fitness classes and demonstrations and free flu shots for employees and their families.
Values: Relationships. “Our commitment to our residents begins with our commitment to our employees.”
New to list
Enjoy this video? Share it with others.
Readers Respond
I see Quest made it again as one of the top places to work as they were listed nbr 7. That's gotta make you feel good!
Best Regards,
Steve Eller By Jim Dumbauld on 2009 08 03
Leave a comment
Commenting is not available in this section entry.