2012 Best Companies, small: Nos. 4 through 10
4. Rothstein Kass
FOUNDED: 1959
LOCATION: Roseland, N.J.
CEO: Steve Kass and 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., and an offshore office in the Cayman Islands.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: Rothstein Kass offers customized work arrangements (CWAs) such as telecommuting. Approximately 11 percent of employees have formal arrangements for telecommuting, and many others work from home on an ad hoc basis. The firm helps by providing CWA mentors, Internet access, technology to support the use of PDAs, and reimbursement for unlimited data charges.
PERKS: The Rothstein Kass offices have Wellness Rooms, private areas for religious prayer or nursing mothers.
2011 RANK: No. 2
5. JG Management Systems, Inc.
FOUNDED: 2001
LOCATION: Grand Junction
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 developed the Learn Share Advance (LSA) program to foster communication. Employees write a biography, take a class, and share the experience with everyone in the company. The goal is for individuals to grow with the company and build skills.
PERKS: Employees in the corporate offices – but not the government installations – may bring their pets to work.
2011 RANK: New to list
6. Insperity
FOUNDED: 1986
LOCATION: Kingwood, Texas
CEO: Paul J. Sarvadi
IN A NUTSHELL: Insperity provides human resources and business solutions such as performance management, expense management, time and attendance, organizational planning, employment screening, recruiting services, retirement services, business insurance and technology services. The company has 56 offices nationwide, including one in Denver.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: The company publishes an online newsletter, “Live Well,” to provide employees with information to help promote a healthy lifestyle. Topics include healthy eating habits, heart health, cancer awareness, cold and flu season, etc.
PERKS: Employees get 12 hours of paid time per quarter to volunteer in their local communities. The Volunteering Pays Program provides grants of $500 per year to charitable organizations where employees volunteer at least 50 hours.
2011 RANK: No. 7
7. Crestone Capital Advisors LLC
FOUNDED: 1991
LOCATION: Boulder
CEO: Eric Kramer
IN A NUTSHELL: Crestone is a wealth-management firm for high net worth families and their foundations. The firm provides investment management and wealth advisory services such as estate and philanthropic planning, income tax planning and reporting, financial and cash flow planning, and investment portfolio reporting.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: All full-time Crestone associates receive a membership to the nearby gym, One Boulder Fitness. For some nontraditional exercise, Crestone formed a co-ed kickball team, and more than 15 Crestone associates participate in the league.
PERKS: Crestone has a kitchen that is fully stocked through weekly grocery and Costco deliveries. Employees are invited and encouraged to use the kitchen for breakfast, lunch and snacks, and may request foods to be ordered the following week.
2011 RANK: No. 6
8. R.A. Nelson & associates
FOUNDED: 1976
LOCATION: Avon
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: RANA offers a Dependent Scholarship Program, which gives every child of a RANA employee from first grade through college a chance to apply once a year for a scholarship for something they would like to pursue, such as sports, music or art. Also, every employee receives four tickets to a Colorado Rockies baseball game, and RANA hosts chili cook-offs, spring barbecues, rafting trips, family picnics, tubing parties, inter-company golf tournaments and ski days.
PERKS: There’s a company-wide pizza party once a month to celebrate birthdays. In addition, project teams and office staff schedule their monthly meetings during lunch hours and the company picks up the cost of the food.
2011 RANK: No. 4
9. Adperio Inc.
FOUNDED: 1994
LOCATION: Denver
CEO: David Asseoff
IN A NUTSHELL: Adperio is an interactive marketing and advertising agency with Fortune 500 advertisers and brands among its clients.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: This year Adperio instituted Flexible Work Arrangements, allowing individuals to be creative with their work schedules and locations. Employees may work from home certain days, work different daily hours, or work longer hours on some days in order to have a shorter Friday or Monday.
PERKS: Employees can recognize co-workers for doing an exceptional job by giving a Flash Award. Once per quarter a name is drawn from among Flash Award recipients and the winner gets a gift of their choosing, valued at $250. Also, employees who have worked above and beyond expectations are awarded gift certificates, sporting event tickets, or are taken out to lunch.
2011 RANK: No. 10
10. Devil’s Thumb Ranch
FOUNDED: 1938
LOCATION: Tabernash
CEO: Suzanne Fanch
IN A NUTSHELL: Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a 5,000-acre, year-round ranch resort and spa offering rustically upscale accommodations, fine dining and outdoor and wilderness recreation activities. It is located about 10 miles from Winter Park.
WHAT’S SPECIAL: Employees receive discounts on ski lift tickets and ski and snowboard rentals. The company makes accommodations to ensure employees can pursue other activities that they feel passionate about, such as taking time off to work with a nonprofit organization.
PERKS: Employees get a 50 percent discount at the ranch’s food and beverage venues while on-shift and a 25 percent discount all other times. The ranch hosts a monthly Potluck Payday, providing food and a social gathering at no cost to employees on the first payday of the month. Each month is sponsored by a different department, so cooking the meal becomes a team-building activity.
2011 RANK: New to list
