AZ Business magazine and BestCompaniesAZ presented the winners of the 2013 Arizona’s Most Admired Companies Awards on Thursday at the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix.
“Our primary goal in developing the program was to find and recognize those organizations that excel in key areas that impact and drive business in Arizona,” said Cheryl Green, publisher of AZ Big Media. “With nearly 300 nominations, being one of 40 winners shows that these companies truly represents the best in Arizona.”
Those key areas are leadership excellence, social responsibility, customer opinion, workplace culture, innovation, the “wow” factor, micro businesses, and fastest growing. From the list of 40 Most Admired Companies, eight companies were selected as spotlight winners for excelling in one of those eight key areas.
The Spotlight Award winners for 2013 are:
Leadership excellence: Sonora Quest Laboratories
Social responsibility: Charles Schwab
Customer opinion: Ryan, LLC
Workplace culture: Arizona Diamondbacks
Innovation: DBSI, Inc.
The “wow” factor: Infusionsoft
Micro business: Clean Air Cab
Fastest growing: Clinical Research Advantage
The 40 Most Admired Companies for 2013 are:
Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN
Year established: 1991
Workplace breakdown: 20 percent female, 80 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 55
Learn more: a-p.com
Reasons to admire them: A&P’s leadership is very employee consensus oriented and empowers their managers and other leaders to fully manage their projects successfully … offers tuition reimbursement, leadership training and professional training for its employees … fully stocked kitchen with free healthy food for employees for all meals of the day … dogs and other pets allowed at the office and employees have the flexibility to bring children to work.
American Express
Headquarters: New York
Year established: 1850
Workplace breakdown: 56 percent female, 44 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 7,596
Learn more: americanexpress.com
Reasons to admire them: Healthy Living, the company’s wellness program has created a culture of wellness … the Wellness Centers in Phoenix feature an on-site nurse practitioner, health coach and registered nurses … offerings include marked walking paths, blood draws, mammography and prostate screenings, well woman exams, flu and allergy shots, emergency medical care, dental services, CPR training, and nutrition coaching. along with yoga, Zumba, tai chi, relaxation classes, free weights, Kinect, Wii fitness and discounted Weight Watchers.
Arizona Charter Academy
Headquarters: Surprise
Year established: 2001
Workplace breakdown: 72 percent female, 28 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 64
Learn more: azcharteracademy.com
Reasons to admire them: In 2001, Melissa Holdaway, CEO, left a corporate career to assist in starting Arizona Charter Academy and is passionate about being a voice for high poverty kids and creating positive change … a survey showed 95 percent of students said they felt safe, that they “belong” at ACA and 92 percent said their teachers encouraged them … diversity is celebrated through cultural diversity nights and events that allow all students to showcase their cultures.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1998
Workplace breakdown: 20 percent female, 80 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 480
Learn more: arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com
Reasons to admire them: While success on the field and financial stability are utmost priorities for the D-backs from a business perspective, the team emphasizes one other thing equally as much — strong corporate culture … Yahoo! recently tabbed the D-backs as the “best workplace in sports” … the organization features D-backs University, a comprehensive educational learning experience for employees to enhance their current abilities while also having a chance to learn additional skills for future career development.
Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Headquarters: Scottsdale
Year established: 1971
Workplace breakdown: 25 percent female, 75 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 50
Learn more: barrett-jackson.com
Reasons to admire them: Barrett-Jackson works closely with the City of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale CVB to help drive tourism to Arizona … has cemented itself an altruistic powerhouse, having raised more than $55.3 million for local and national charities … charities involving children, military personnel, medical research and community support took center stage at this year’s Scottsdale event, and a total of 22 vehicles were sold to benefit them.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America — Western Regional Medical Center
Headquarters: Goodyear
Year established: 2008
Workplace breakdown: 71 percent female, 29 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 603
Learn more: cancercenter.com/western/
Reasons to admire them: As a cancer survivor, CTCAs’ CEO Dr. Edgar Staren has a unique understanding of the concerns of cancer patients and can often be found discussing their treatments or simply lending a comforting ear … CTCA is developing the nation’s first organic farm located on hospital grounds … Western is leading the way for the CTCA five-hospital enterprise through the development of a new Clinical Trials Program.
Casa Grande Regional Medical Center
Headquarters: Casa Grande
Year established: 1984
Workplace breakdown: 79 percent female, 21 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 845
Learn more: casagrandehospital.com
Reasons to admire them: CGRMC is the 11th hospital in the nation to partner with Mayo Clinic in telemedicine, allowing them to bring the expert to the patient … recently named on a national level as a “100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare” by Becker’s hospital review … certified as a mature-friendly workplace by the state of Arizona since 2008, 59 percent of CGRMC’s workforce is older than 45.
CBRE
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Year established: 1952
Workplace breakdown: NA
Employees in Arizona: 452
Learn more: cbre.com
Reasons to admire them: CBRE’s workplace culture stems from its RISE values—Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence —which are the foundation upon which the company is built … diversity and inclusion are woven into every aspect of CBRE’s business, including the company’s African-American Networking Group, Hispanic Networking Group, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Networking Group and Women’s Networking Group … CBRE is the first commercial real estate services firm to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations.
Charles Schwab
Headquarters: San Francisco
Year established: 1977
Workplace breakdown: 39 percent female, 61 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 3,200
Learn more: schwab.com
Reasons to admire them: Provides paid time off for employees to volunteer … organizes a nationwide, week-long volunteer event called Schwab Volunteer Week, in which employees pitch in on service projects at nonprofits across the U.S. During Schwab Volunteer Week 2013, Schwab employees spent more than 12,000 hours in their communities … Charles Schwab Foundation supports employee philanthropy by providing matching donations for employees’ charitable contributions, dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.
Clean Air Cab
Headquarters: Mesa
Year established: 2009
Workplace breakdown: 50 percent female, 50 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 25
Learn more: cleanaircab.com
Reasons to admire them: Started during the recession and has grown 400 percent … developed its business model around the triple P’s — People, Planet, and Profit in that order … constantly seeks innovative ways to use technology and social media to create consistency, convenience, and value for its customers … donates $1 per fare to nonprofits, giving about $100,000 back to the community and awarding four scholarships to students in ASU’s School of Sustainability and College of Technology and Innovation.
Clinical Research Advantage, Inc.
Headquarters: Tempe
Year established: 1992
Workplace breakdown: 82 percent female, 18 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 165
Learn more: crastudies.com
Reasons to admire them: Over the past six years, healthcare industry veterans Mark Hanley and David Bruggeman have grown CRA from a local network of six sites into the country’s largest integrated site network with 63 sites and more than 500 employees … CRA gives working parents paid time off to attend school functions or tend to other family needs … CRA analyzed patient data in January and received a 97 percent customer satisfaction rate.
DBSI, Inc.
Headquarters: Chandler
Year established: 1998
Workplace breakdown: 28 percent female, 72 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 82
Learn more: dbsi-inc.com
Reasons to admire them: DBSI’s compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 51 percent has held steady for the last three years … DBSI created 32 new jobs in 2012 and 26 more so far in 2013 … named one of Inc. Magazine’s “Fastest Growing Companies in America” … shares profits with its employees … company has a workplace golf simulator and a “bat pole” to get from floor to floor … “Hug Fridays” finds the founder showing his appreciation by way of a hug.
Discover Financial Services
Headquarters: Riverwoods, Ill.
Year established: 1987
Workplace breakdown: 71 percent female, 29 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 2,260
Learn more: discover.com
Reasons to admire them: The highest ranking officers in Phoenix meet monthly to establish and follow up on formal succession planning programs that consider someone’s potential to be promoted and determine their readiness … in 2012, 170 Phoenix employees volunteered at more than 50 local nonprofit organizations, totaling approximately 2,600 volunteer hours … rated No.1 for Customer Loyalty among credit cards according to the 2013 Brand Keys Engagement Index Report.
Dunn Transportation/Ollie the Trolley
Headquarters: Tempe
Year established: 1986
Workplace breakdown: 40 percent female, 60 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 60
Learn more: dunntransportation.com
Reasons to admire them: Hire the best people. Empower them to make decisions and take action. Have fun. Those elements are the cornerstones Dunn’s culture … named the 2013 Outstanding Transit Organization by the Arizona Transit Association and the Arizona Department of Transportation for the joint development and operation of the fare-free Scottsdale Trolley system … 85 percent of Dunn employees said they wouldn’t work anyplace else and 90 percent expressed satisfaction with their pay.
Echo Global Logistics
Headquarters: Chicago
Year established: 2005
Workplace breakdown: 29 percent female, 71 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 30
Learn more: echo.com
Reasons to admire them: Echo likes to think of itself as a technology company that is really good at transportation management … Echo was ranked 44th by InformationWeek among top technology innovators in the United States for its FlexTMS service offering … Echo collected an impressive total of 45,742 items during its 4th Annual Food Drive … Echo joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay(SM) Transport Partnership, an initiative with the goal of environmentally cleaner, more fuel efficient transportation options.
Gilbane Building Company
Headquarters: Providence, R.I.
Year established: 1873
Workplace breakdown: 17 percent female, 83 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 51
Learn more: gilbaneco.com
Reasons to admire them: Gilbane is a fifth-generation family-run construction company … developed an internal program, Gilbane University, for learning that helps its personnel gain the knowledge they need to serve their clients and progress on a clearly defined career path … company executives have taken leadership roles in St Vincent DePaul, John C Lincoln Foundation, ACE Mentor Group, Valley of the Sun United Way and National Junior Disability Championships.
Goodwill of Central Arizona
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1947
Workplace breakdown: 57 percent female, 43 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 1,969
Learn more: goodwillaz.org
Reasons to admire them: Since 2007, Goodwill has grown from 38 retail locations to more than 50, and from eight career centers to 15 … its long-term debt has decreased by more than 57 percent and total year-end revenue has increased from $59.6 million in 2007 to $104 million in 2012 … in 2012, Goodwill provided job training and employment placement services to 41,922 individuals, nearly quadruple the number served just five years ago.
Homeowners Financial Group
Headquarters: Scottsdale
Year established: 2004
Workplace breakdown: 65 percent female, 35 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 148
Learn more: homeownersfg.com
Reasons to admire them: HFG’s most recent charitable endeavor has been the development of their own foundation called the Homeowners Financial Care Fund (HFCF). HFG President Pat Lamb and CEO Bill Rogers created the foundation with the goal to support Arizona families who endure financial hardship while experiencing extended illness or injury of their children. The foundation provides mortgage, rent and housing expense relief, as well as related lifestyle resources during a child’s extended health crisis.
Hyatt Regency Phoenix
Headquarters: Chicago
Year established: 1976
Workplace breakdown: xx percent female, xx percent male
Employees in Arizona: 314
Learn more: phoenix.hyatt.com
Reasons to admire them: General Manager Thomas Delaney conducts group discussions called “Talk with Tom.” During these meetings, he communicates current information regarding the hotel. In addition, he encourages employees to share their opinions and feedback as to how the hotel and departments can be improved … Executive Chef Dominic Vaccaro and his team participate in the “Chef to End Hunger” program in which excess prepared food that would normally go to waste is redistributed to local food agencies.
Infusionsoft
Headquarters: Chandler
Year established: 2001
Workplace breakdown: 38.2 percent female, 61.8 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 450
Learn more: infusionsoft.com
Reasons to admire them: Co-founders Clate Mask and Scott Martineau co-authored New York Times best-seller “Conquer the Chaos: How to Grow a Successful Small Business Without Going Crazy” to help struggling entrepreneurs … has raised nearly $175,000 for micro-credit lending organizations that enable would-be entrepreneurs in emerging countries around the world … has indoor bicycle parking, showering facilities and monthly cash drawings for those who participate as alternative mode users … employs a “dream manager” to help employees realize their dreams.
KeatsConnelly
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1990
Workplace breakdown: 69 percent female, 31 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 26
Learn more: keatsconnelly.com
Reasons to admire them: KeatsConnelly is the largest cross-border wealth management firm in North America that specializes in helping Canadians and Americans realize their dreams of a cross-border lifestyle … offers their employees flexible schedules, the ability to telecommute and new parents can even bring their baby to work after returning from maternity/paternity leave … has earned the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility every year since 2008 … increased revenues by more than 25 percent in 2011.
Kitchell
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1950
Workplace breakdown: 28 percent female, 72 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 300
Learn more: kitchell.com
Reasons to admire them: Kitchell’s profit-sharing program, the brainchild of founder Sam Kitchell, enables any employee to become vested in the company, contributing to longevity and loyalty … its “Ideation Lab” is making a powerful impact in the area of construction technology … Kitchell’s building modeling team created a dedicated program that is now part of the curriculum at ASU’s Del E. Webb School of Construction … has a “New Ventures” committee that incubates ideas brought forth by employees.
Laser Spine Institute
Headquarters: Tampa
Year established: 2005
Workplace breakdown: 70 percent female, 30 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 77
Learn more: laserspineinstitute.com
Reasons to admire them: Health and wellness initiatives, regular team building exercises, tuition reimbursement, continuing education, referral bonuses, reward programs, flexible work schedules and ongoing professional development are a few of the many reasons why Laser Spine Institute is a preferred employer … the LSI Running Team grew out of a healthy idea for team building and has become a component of the company’s overall wellness program … among the “Nation’s Best 100 Places to Work in Healthcare.”
Martz Agency
Headquarters: Scottsdale
Year established: 1980
Employees in Arizona: 21
Learn more: martzagency.com
Reasons to admire them: Carrie Martz, founder and CEO, was the first female president of Phoenix Suns Charities, first female to be invited as member of the Transworld Advertising Association Network and was marketing committee co-chair for the Super Bowl XXX Host Committee … the back room of the agency has been converted into a nursery where employees can work with newborn babies or are able to check in on babies (watched by a nanny) throughout the day.
PCA Skin
Headquarters: Scottsdale
Year established: 1990
Workplace breakdown: 80 percent female, 20 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 86
Learn more: pcaskin.com
Reasons to admire them: PCA SKIN has a long-standing affiliation with the American Association of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and has donated more than $150,000 to AAFPRS Face To Face: The National Domestic Violence Project, a program that offers pro bono surgery nationwide to survivors of domestic violence … offers each employee a paid day to volunteer at a charitable organization … earned ThinkGlobal Inc.’s 2013 Exporter of the Year Award.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1984
Workplace breakdown: 80.73 percent female, 19.27 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 3,334
Learn more: phoenixchildrens.com
Reasons to admire them: Studies show children recover more quickly if they are comfortable, so the halls of PCH are filled with art and bright colors, they use wagons instead of wheelchairs, and there’s an opportunity to play around every corner … PCH’s wellness program, impACT Your Wellness, offers employees quarterly challenges, access to a wellness website, on-site yoga and Weight Watchers, healthy vending machines, free biometric screenings on site, an annual health and wellness fair and mobile onsite mammograms.
Plaza Companies
Headquarters: Peoria
Year established: 1982
Workplace breakdown: 47 percent female, 53 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 40
Learn more: theplazaco.com
Reasons to admire them: Plaza’s leadership team has helped position the company as an example of how corporate contributions to civic, charitable and economic development groups can create a positive impact in the community … Plaza leadership participates on the boards of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Arizona Community Foundation, Banner Health Foundation, GPEC, International Leadership Council, ASU’s Presidents Club and many others … offers 100 percent employer-paid medical insurance … instituted “Plaza University”, a program of ongoing education for staff members.
Ryan, LLC
Headquarters: Dallas
Year established: 1991
Workplace breakdown: 47 percent female, 53 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 96
Learn more: ryan.com
Reasons to admire them: Employees are given complete flexibility and can choose where and when they want to work as long as they achieve results … myHealth rewards employees for improving and maintaining healthy lifestyles … in the 2012-2013 benefit plan year, 76 percent of Ryan’s U.S. employees realized medical premium reductions by completing a biometric screening, medical health assessment, and meeting outcomes in the company’s targeted health risks categories. In 2012, the average number of risk factors decreased 28.6% from 1.4 to 1.
SCF Arizona
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1988
Workplace breakdown: 67 percent female, 33 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 380
Learn more: scfaz.com
Reasons to admire them: SCF made a seamless and transparent transition on January 1 from a state agency to a fully private mutual insurance company with no loss of jobs and no impact on customers … has an in-building wellness center staffed by two nurse practitioners … $200 annual wellness reimbursement for employees who join gyms, participate in smoking cessation classes or buy fitness equipment … has an “Energy Star” designation from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Scottsdale Healthcare
Headquarters: Scottsdale
Year established: 1962
Workplace breakdown: 77 percent female, 23 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 6,459
Learn more: shc.org
Reasons to admire them: Leadership Rounds is a monthly practice involving directors and vice presidents throughout the organization where they interact with staff in their normal work settings. This practice removes roadblocks to performance and aids in enhancing the patient experience … partners with local colleges to provide degree programs on-site for both staff and visitors … on-site full-service spa is available to employees … eligible employees can get financial assistance of $5,250 per year for prepaid tuition and tuition reimbursement.
Shutterfly, Inc.
Headquarters: Redwood City, Calif.
Year established: 1999
Workplace breakdown: 40 percent female, 60 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 243
Learn more: shutterfly.com
Reasons to admire them: Shutterfly protects 19 billion photos for more than 7 million customers who tell their stories through Shutterfly’s award-winning products and services … more than 1,000 customers took the time to write to Shutterfly in the first six months of 2013 to express their gratitude … $2,500 in free merchandise, and 50 percent off everything each year for each employee … In 2012, 75 employees packed 57,640 pounds of food for distribution by St. Mary’s Food Bank.
Sonora Quest Laboratories
Headquarters: Tempe
Year established: 1997
Workplace breakdown: 75 percent female, 25 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 2,657
Learn more: sonoraquest.com
Reasons to admire them: CEO Dave Dexter is committed to donating leadership and business skills to the nonprofit world and help local Arizona-based charities make a difference. Each member of his team is expected to lead a community or charity event during the year and volunteer time for fundraising efforts … will provide laboratory testing services for more than 6.6 million patient encounters and perform nearly 50 million tests in 2013 … provided more than 80,000 meals to those in need in 2012.
Sundt Construction, Inc.
Headquarters: Tempe
Year established: 1929
Workplace breakdown: 13 percent female, 87 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 1,134
Learn more: sundt.com
Reasons to admire them: Sundt was one of the first companies to establish an Employee Stock Ownership Plan as a way to bring a heightened sense of commitment to its employees, so each employee shares in the profits and success of the company … medical benefits go into effect on employees’ first day of work, unlike the typical 30-90 day waiting period … It is a Sundt policy that every project has a volunteer project associated with it to benefit a local charity.
The Lavidge Company
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1982
Workplace breakdown: 57 percent female, 43 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 70
Learn more: lavidge.com
Reasons to admire them: TLC is known for great work and a fun culture as well as its expertise and innovation … TLC offers several perks, including Summer Fridays when the office closes early, a dog-friendly atmosphere and flexible work schedules … TLC forgoes holiday gifts and provides a monetary donation to a nonprofit on behalf of its clients through its annual holiday giving program … TLC partnered with Mosaic to expand multicultural marketing services among TLC’s existing clients, while attracting new clients.
UnitedHealthcare of Arizona
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 1987
Workplace breakdown: 78.7 percent female, 21.3 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 4,100
Learn more: uhc.com
Reasons to admire them: An innovative internal wellness program, Your Rewards for Health, helps encourage a healthier lifestyle among UnitedHealthcare’s workforce … telecommuting options for employees whose roles enable this type of flexibility has enabled more than 300 telecommuters in Arizona … UnitedHealthcare this year awarded $8,000 to eight Arizona organizations seeking to develop programs to help prevent childhood obesity in their communities … UnitedHealth Group employee contributions have helped grant the wishes of 1,260 children through the the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
V.I.P. Mortgage, Inc.
Headquarters: Scottsdale
Year established: 2006
Workplace breakdown: 58 percent female, 42 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 224
Learn more: vipmtginc.com
Reasons to admire them: When Jay Barbour and Keith Teegardin started V.I.P. Mortgage amidst the housing crash in 2006, they had one goal in mind – creating a company committed to restoring the reputation of the mortgage industry by fostering a culture with complete transparency and trust … a full-time masseuse is available for employee to mitigate stress … other perks include bingo Fridays, monthly cookie days, ice cream socials, no-shave November, Easter egg hunt, Halloween cubicle decorating contest, and casual day is every day.
Vanguard
Headquarters: Malvern, Pa.
Year established: 1994
Workplace breakdown: 39.5 percent female, 60.5 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 2,134
Learn more: vanguard.com
Reasons to admire them: Vanguard is the investment management industry’s only client-owned firm. This unique ownership structure, under which the management company is owned by the shareholders of Vanguard’s funds, enables it to maintain a client-centered, high-value focus by offering its funds at cost … Vanguard and its crew members pledged $6.1 million for the 2013 United Way campaign … Arizona crew members provided toys, clothing, and bicycles to nearly 340 children in need during the 2012 Sponsor-A-Child holiday campaign.
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
Headquarters: Tucson
Year established: 1987
Workplace breakdown: 46.7 percent female, 53.3 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 1,150
Learn more: ventana.com
Reasons to admire them: To ensure the best and the brightest are cultivated and groomed into tomorrow’s leaders, all Ventana management participate in annual succession planning meetings. To recognize and retain high-performers, Ventana utilizes a pay-for-performance philosophy. High-performers also have opportunities to attend global education programs and consider international job assignments to enhance their career development … 150 Ventana employees, families, and friends walked in the Susan G. Komen Race, raising over $27,000 – the largest corporate gift in Tucson.
WebPT
Headquarters: Phoenix
Year established: 2008
Workplace breakdown: 53 percent female, 47 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 155
Learn more: webpt.com
Reasons to admire them: By creating an affordable and intuitive cloud-based electronic medical records (EMR) for rehabilitation therapists — practitioners excluded from the government’s meaningful use incentive under the HITECH Act — WebPT brought the benefits of EMR to small therapy practices who would have otherwise fallen behind … raised $1,483 in less than two hours for Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue … held a company-wide blood donation drive … participated in the Phoenix Heart Walk and will sponsor an upcoming art program for teens through Arthouse AZ.
ZocDoc
Headquarters: Scottsdale
Year established: 2012
Workplace breakdown: 47 percent female, 53 percent male
Employees in Arizona: 15
Learn more: zocdoc.com
Reasons to admire them: Before a new employee arrives, everyone receives a “Meet X!” e-mail that includes their picture, job title and answers to icebreaker questions … daily, healthy, catered lunches allow employees to get to know their co-workers across departments … any employee who refers a new full-time employee receives up to $5,000 and 35 percent of new employees came from internal referrals … any employee who works in the office past 8 p.m. can expense their dinner and ride home.
