Best Companies to Work for in Colorado 2013: Small

Lisa Ryckman //August 5, 2013//

Best Companies to Work for in Colorado 2013: Small

Lisa Ryckman //August 5, 2013//

1. Moneytree

When Erika Herrera went to work for Moneytree as a teller, she figured it was just a job that would pay the bills while she finished school.

Maybe it was the great benefits, or the employee recognition, or the company’s policy of giving back to the community, or the pleasure of working for a family-owned business that made its employees feel like members. Whatever it was, somewhere along the way, Herrera stopped thinking of Moneytree as a job and began thinking of it as a career.

That was nine years ago.

“I saw myself working for the company long-term,” says Herrera, who is now the Seattle-based company’s Colorado district manager, overseeing the state’s 10 branches. “I changed my major from criminal justice to business because of Moneytree. When I saw the culture they create and how much they give back to their employees and the communities where we live and work – that’s what made me have a passion for this company.”

Moneytree, which provides check cashing, payday loans, bill pay services, money orders and wire fund transfers in California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Washington and British Columbia, has 900 employees in 120 branches. Employee satisfaction surveys keep the company on top of what makes its people happy, and senior executives make regular visits to all markets to conduct workshops and give team members a chance to ask questions, share concerns and make suggestions. Top-performing employees are invited to CEO Circle Meetings two to three times a year with the owner and company leadership.

Moneytree is big on employee recognition; managers like Herrera have budgets and consult with team members to develop their own local recognition programs.

“I always carry gift cards on me,” Herrera says. “We randomly recognize someone for giving great service, or filling in a shift or doing more than we ask. We also give employees four-day weekends without having to use vacation time. Lately, we’ve been giving little getaways.”

The winner of one recent getaway – a young man in the Colorado Springs branch – told Herrera that the hotel voucher made it possible for him to have a Las Vegas honeymoon he couldn’t otherwise have afforded.

Ten team members who earn perfect scores on monthly customer service assessments performed by “mystery shoppers” are eligible for a $200 bonus; five employees who receive perfect customer service assessment scores for five consecutive months are eligible for a $500 monthly bonus.

And a perfect score triggers a company contribution to the district’s Community Involvement Fund, which means more chances to give back. Employees decide where the money goes, and the Colorado Team has supported such charities as the Make A Wish Foundation and Food Bank of the Rockies.

Great people make a great company, so when Herrera goes shopping and gets terrific customer service, she gives that salesperson her business card and a pitch for her employer.

As far as she’s concerned, it’s an easy sell.

“I tell them if you’re ever thinking about a career change and want to work for a company that treats its employees really well, where you can be part of a bigger picture, that’s a fun place to work with great benefits – think of Moneytree,” Herrera says.

“If they give me that ‘wow’ factor,” she adds, “I’ll definitely mention Moneytree.”

2. JG  Management  Systems  Inc.
jgmsinc.com
Founded: 2001
Location: Grand Junction
Leadership: CEO Jerome Gonzales
In a Nutshell: JG Management Systems offers program and project management, facility assessments and operations support, engineering design and analysis, construction management, environmental management and support, and technical services to government and private sector clients nationwide.
What’s Special: JGMS allows flexible scheduling so employees can determine their individual work/life priorities. This includes the ability to work from home when necessary or make up hours on weekends if events require attention during the week. Corporate employees are also welcome to bring their children and pets to work if the need arises.

2012 rank: 5

3. Insperity
insperity.com
Founded: 1986
Location: Kingwood, Texas
Leadership: CEO Paul J. Sarvadi
In a Nutshell: Insperity provides human resources and business solutions such as performance management, expense management, organizational planning, employment screening, recruiting services, retirement, business insurance and technology services. The company has 56 offices nationwide, including one in Denver.
What’s Special: Insperity has a formal multi-tiered program that recognizes excellence in customer service, teamwork and productivity. A total of 12 monthly awards – four regional awards and eight in the areas of administration, growth, operations, gross profit enhancement, adjacent businesses and volunteerism – are determined by nominations from co-workers.

2012 rank: 6

4. Odell Brewing Co.
odellbrewing.com
Founded: 1989
Location: Fort Collins
Leadership: CEO Wynne Odell
In a Nutshell:  One of the first craft brewers in the state, Odell Brewing Co. sells to liquor stores, bars and restaurants in a 10-state region. It is now the 33rd largest craft brewery in the nation, known for varieties such as 90 Shilling and Easy Street Wheat.  
What’s Special: The company holds four Big Picture Meetings a year: One is an off-site all-day meeting with the entire team, where each department shares plans and sets goals; three others include dinner in the company tap room.  

Last ranked 2011: 3

5. R.A. Nelson & Associates
ranelson.com
Founded: 1976
Location: Avon
Leadership: CEO Travis Bossow
In a Nutshell:  R.A. Nelson & Associates builds mountain resort communities. The construction company specializes in green building, custom homes, community amenities, recreational facilities, luxury ski-in/ski out condos and affordable local housing.
What’s Special: The firm launched a formal wellness program in 2011 with points and rewards, on-site health screenings and company challenges. The corporate office includes a shower facility to accommodate bike commuters and lunchtime workouts. To further promote fitness and fun, the company has also sponsored various intramural teams each year including ski, softball, basketball, broomball and water polo.

2012 rank: 8

6. Anton Collins Mitchell
acmllp.com
Founded: 2002
Location: Denver
Leadership: Managing Partner Gary Mitchell
In a Nutshell: Anton Collins Mitchell is a public accounting and consulting firm capable of offering services to clients of virtually any size.
What’s Special: To recharge team members’ batteries, the company gives employees several extra Fridays off throughout the year to either extend holidays or provide a day off between holidays, firm outings, in-office socials and after-hours events.

Last ranked 2011: 5

7. Rothstein Kass
rkco.com
Founded: 1959
Location: Roseland, N.J.
Leadership: CEO Steve Kass and Co-Managing Principal Howard Altman
In a Nutshell: Rothstein Kass is an accounting firm that serves privately held and publicly traded companies as well as high-net-worth individuals and families. The company has offices in Denver, New York, Beverly Hills, Dallas, San Francisco and Walnut Creek, Calif., as well as an offshore office in the Cayman Islands.
What’s Special: Rothstein Kass offers paid overtime or the option of accumulating extra hours as paid vacation for a total of seven weeks. The firm also allows for customized work arrangements for employees who may need flexible work schedules, reduced hours and work-from-home options. The company concierge service also helps employees when/if possible.

2012 rank: 4

8. Applied Control Equipment
ace-fisher.net
Founded: 1963
Location: Centennial
Leadership: CEO Randy Schrader
In a Nutshell: Applied Control Equipment serves as the sales and service representative of Fisher Controls and Emerson Process Management for mining, power generation, refining, chemical, food and beverage, oil and gas production, gas distribution, and similar industries in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and sections of Nebraska and South Dakota.
What’s Special: “Sales Excellence” recipients and “Tuesday Morning Champions” are announced annually at company meetings and invited to formal banquet celebrations where they receive trophies and $500 gift cards.

Last ranked 2011: 8

9. Endodontic Specialists of Colorado P.C.
endospec.com
Founded: 1981
Location: Colorado Springs
Leadership: Founder David Ishley
In a Nutshell: Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, P.C. is a specialty care dental practice with three Front Range locations dedicated to perfecting smiles and minimizing pain.
In a Nutshell: The company reviews employee salaries and its profitability every year, and all non-exempt employees are eligible for the “Performance Bonus Program” based on contributions to success and corporate profitability.

New to list

10. Maptek
maptek.com
Founded: 1981
Location: Lakewood
Leadership: CEO Barry Henderson
In a Nutshell: Maptek is the leading provider of innovative software, hardware and services for the global mining industry
In a Nutshell: Maptek provides free fitness center membership for employees and reimburses 100 percent of all professional dues. Due to its committment to consistent learning, it also offers up to $4,900 annually for undergraduate tuition; up to $9,300 for graduate tuition and $1,500 professional licensure and continuing education.

Last ranked 2011: 9