Best Places to Work in Omaha: 2021 winners announced

Results of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Omaha survey are in. Six of the 10 winning companies can boast a repeat from last year and three additional companies received the honor of having Sustained Excellence.

Created in 2003 by Baird Holm LLP and sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber, the initiative publicly recognizes and celebrates local employers who foster an engaged work environment and culture dedicated to organizational success.

According to Baird Holm, research has shown that engaged employees tend to stay with their employers longer, serve customers more effectively, and help contribute toward a more profitable company. Survey questions inquire about several aspects of their workplace, including morale, environment, engagement and opportunities, management and co-workers. Employee engagement is measured through an online survey administered and analyzed by Quantum Workplace.

This initiative has become an invaluable tool for employers by providing a platform to set and measure engagement goals tied to their business plans, said partner Kelli P. Lieurance of Baird Holm LLP.

“The survey provides the detailed information employers need to produce teams that are engaged and productive in their work,” Lieurance said. “Earning this recognition is a great source of pride for the winners, and can also be used in both marketing and recruiting efforts. More than that, considering how much the COVID-19 pandemic has altered many of our workplaces, this achievement by our winners is particularly impressive this year.”

Here are the 2021 winners.

Companies with 25 to 200 employees:

1. CharterWest Bank

2. Lockton Companies

3. Midlands Choice

4. Bridges Trust

5. Supportworks

Companies with more than 200 employees: 1. Buildertrend

2. Verizon Media

3. Olsson

4. PayPal

5. Signature Performance

Four of the companies in the category of 200-plus employees were winners in 2020. Buildertrend is a repeat at No. 1.

The category of 25 to 200 employees saw three newcomers this year in CharterWest Bank, Lockton Companies and Midlands Choice.

This year, the program honors three Sustained Excellence Award winners: Object Partners, Thrasher Inc., and Vetter Health Services Inc. This prestigious designation is given to organizations that have repeatedly ranked in the top three in the Best Places to Work in Omaha survey. It is the highest level of recognition an organization can receive as part of this initiative.

The winners will be publicly recognized at a luncheon at CHI Health Center Omaha on Sept. 30. Tickets are $40 per person, or $400 for a table of 10, and are available for purchase online at www.bairdholm.com.

Vetter Health Services, Object Partners and Thrasher Inc., were recognized in the 2021 Best Places to Work initiative with Sustained Excellence Awards for first-, second- or third-place finishes in their category for four consecutive years or for eight of the past 10 years.

Here’s a look at these three outstanding companies:

Vetter Health Services

Vetter Health Services is a nonprofit organization providing services and living options for rehabilitation, independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing. The company has 27 locations in Nebraska, one in Iowa, one in Kansas, three in Missouri, and manages a care center in Wyoming.

Vetter Health Services provides management services to Vetter Senior Living facilities. The home office for the management team is located in Elkhorn.

With a mission of “Dignity in Life,” Vetter Health Services is well-known for quality care. More than 3,700 team members continuously strive for improvement in all areas of service.

Vetter Health Services operates its facilities on a not-for-profit basis. In that way, any revenues that are generated over expenses can be devoted to the charitable and religious purposes of caring for the elderly in a Christian environment.

In 2019, Vetter Health Services was recognized by Great Place to Work Institute and Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces for Aging Services. The Great Place to Work Institute surveyed more than 230,000 senior care employees from across the nation to create the second annual Best Workplaces in Aging Service List.

According to a 2019 survey, 90% of Vetter Health Services team members said their work has special meaning, that it’s not “just a job” and 91% felt a sense of pride in the work they accomplish serving seniors.

Vetter Health Services facilities were also recognized nationally for creating an outstanding experience for their customers and employees. NRC Health ranked Vetter Health Services No. 1 for employee satisfaction and No. 8 for customer satisfaction among senior care centers nationwide.

The NRC Health Customer Approved Awards are based on ratings from both family and residents across independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care settings. Similarly, the NRC Health Employee Approved Awards are based on ratings gathered from employees of assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.

Object Partners

When working at Object Partners, you shouldn’t expect to be micromanaged.

The consulting firm — which specializes in development, deployment and modernization of web applications — is all about autonomy.

Object Partners’ service offerings focus on custom software development, web and mobile app development, platform engineering, modern APIs, and real-time data architecture. Their experience extends to Amazon Web services as an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, event streaming architectures and cloud solutions.

Object Partners doesn’t have endless bureaucracy in its Omaha operations. Beyond getting work done, Object Partners encourages its employees to enjoy themselves. It has an annual incentive program that awards an extra bonus and free trip to one of three destinations.

The incentives and bonding exercises, including happy hours, help brew a sense of camaraderie among the team members.

In 2020, Improving, a technology consulting company headquartered in Minneapolis, acquired Object Partners. The acquisition placed a focus on merging technology service companies that share a commitment to building trust, delivering excellence and cultivating culture.

Thrasher Inc.

To stay true to its origins and purpose, Thrasher Inc. searches for employees who are genuinely enthusiastic about the company’s values and purpose.

For more than 50 years, passion for the job and a “one family” mindset have helped create a “work hard, play hard” culture. Thrasher, which specializes in concrete and foundation repair, has grown from a literal mom-and-pop operation founded in 1975 to an industry leader. It has locations throughout Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.

In 2008, the Thrasher family launched a second business, Supportworks, to develop and distribute the best foundation and concrete repair products in the world. With these product developments, Supportworks would quickly grow to be the largest distributor in the industry.

Like other Thrasher family entities, the company participates in multiple philanthropic and service endeavors. In addition to matching employee donations and encouraging participation in community projects, Thrasher also supports more organic efforts spearheaded by employees.

In a year when fear and isolation became everyday vernacular, Buildertrend leveled up its efforts to help employees feel safe and connected.

The company, which specializes in cloud-based construction project management software, lowered the employee costs of health insurance premiums, strengthened its employee assistance program and established a diversity, equity and inclusion council. It also held virtual cooking classes, drive-thru lunches and socially-distanced outdoor gatherings in the parking lot.

More than a year after the pandemic required all employees to work remotely, Buildertrend reopened its doors in May. The company has since implemented hybrid working to provide meaningful opportunities no matter where they are working — as long as it supports their lives. Co-founder and CEO Dan Houghton said while Buildertrend’s work environment has changed, its culture of celebrating employees remains the same. The company’s Omaha headquarters at 11818 I St. has a rooftop bar as well as putting greens, a video gaming station, a basketball court, and more.

“We want those who walk through our doors to feel like they belong, have a sense of security within their team and ultimately know that they are capable of succeeding beyond their own measure,” said Houghton. “Once you learn how to support your employees outside of goals and metrics, everything seems clearer.”

Buildertrend was founded in 2006 by Houghton, Jeff Dugger and Steve Dugger. In February, Buildertrend acquired its largest competitor, boosting its workforce to 781 employees in 25 states, including 524 in Omaha. Earlier this year, the company added a new position to its team: a “people advocate” who serves as a dedicated employee resource to support growth and development, professionally and personally, whether that is overcoming obstacles or achieving goals, or both.

“We want our people to thrive in meaningful ways, both professionally and personally,” said Brandy Menaugh, vice president of people at Buildertrend. “We emphasize the overall well-being of our employees by providing an opportunity to grow and succeed in a competitive, fast-paced work environment, but also by focusing on the importance of their lives outside of Buildertrend. We want our people to have the best of both.”

Employee health and well-being was a priority at Verizon Media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That is why the company provided special resources to help employees feel safe and comfortable.

“I can not imagine working for a better company during the pandemic,” Bre Phelan, senior strategy and operations manager, ad creative tech. “Verizon Media has been incredibly supportive over the last 18 months and continues to focus heavily on its employees’ health and well-being such as providing mental health support, telehealth resources, and stipends for home office supplies.”

In addition, Verizon Media believes in diversity and inclusion, and the numbers back that up.

Nearly 60% of company employees — and six out of 10 board members — are women or people of color. Pay equity is the same regardless of gender. At the same time, Verizon Media provides mentorship programs and offers 11 different Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that aim to create networks and enhance diversity and fuel a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Specializing in content, advertising and technology with partner brands like Yahoo and TechCrunch, Verizon Media has seen growth in Omaha since opening its first metro area office in 2009. Since then, the company’s workforce has expanded to more than 350 across its locations in Omaha and La Vista, where Verizon Media operates a data center.

Verizon Media has many different service initiatives intended to involve its employees in the Omaha community. The company hosts an annual day of service called “The Great Build,” which allows employees globally to receive a day off to get involved.

According to Verizon Media’s website, “We pride ourselves on fostering an environment that not only promotes hard work, but fun — we want our employees to be able to focus on and excel at the work that inspires them, while having the ability to have a good time and get creative.”

Verizon also contributes through efforts stemming from its ERGs. As examples, the United ERG donated more than 2,000 face masks last year to South Omaha residents in response to the coronavirus pandemic. And the Parents and Caregivers ERG donates thousands of diapers to the Salvation Army with its annual office drive.

Even in the midst of tremendous growth, Olsson is focused on providing great opportunities for employees. The 65-year-old La Vista engineering and design firm celebrates great work by employees and strives to create opportunities for growth across all departments.

Olsson executives say that while the firm puts the needs of its employees first, the employees, in turn, put the needs of the clients first. That synergy makes for communities that are better connected, more sustainable and more efficient.

“Olsson just feels like home. I enjoy the people I work with and the projects I work on,” said Kara Kosiski, a project engineer on Olsson’s Nebraska traffic and technology team. “I also appreciate that Olsson gives special focus to individual development. I have always felt like I’ve had the tools, resources, and support necessary to be successful in achieving my professional goals.”

Olsson has nearly 1,600 employees and does work nationwide from 30 office locations in nine states. The firm offers design and consulting services in planning and design, engineering, field services, environmental and technology. For more information, go to www.olsson.com. It was founded in 1956 and opened its Omaha office in 1997.

Olsson — like many other companies — had it share of challenges during the pandemic. Namely, implementing a remote working staff.

At Olsson, the first tenet is that the company exists for the employees.

“We live this value in everything we do. This was especially true last year as we dealt with the challenges of a global pandemic while our employees were shifting to a work-from-home environment,” said Shane Hennessey, Omaha office leader for Olsson. “We built Olsson on the foundation of hiring talented people who always look out for the best interests of our clients and the communities we serve.”

PayPal is arguably the most widely recognized digital payment platform in the world, but it’s only as good as its talent pool. To stay innovative, company leaders say, they must attract and retain a diverse and forward-thinking workforce.

The employee-centric culture at PayPal is based on collaboration, inclusion, innovation and wellness — all company core values. The company considers its employees its greatest asset — and its most important stakeholders.

“PayPal has granted me the opportunity to further develop myself as an individual as well as a leader, through partnerships with Bellevue University, job shadow programs and more,” said Dani Hayden, a PayPal payment operations specialist. “I am especially grateful to work for a company that stands for its values of supporting diversity and inclusion.”

PayPal’s focus on employees and their total wellness became more important than ever as the company, like others, faced challenges related to COVID-19. During the pandemic, PayPal rolled out new and enhanced benefits focused on mental, physical and financial health. The additional benefits aim to help workers be more resilient to any negative impact of the pandemic.

Omaha has been the home to one of PayPal’s primary global operation centers since 2015. Being in Omaha is key to the development of its culture and success as a company, leaders say. This year marks the third time PayPal has been named one of the best places to work in the city.

“Omaha is one of PayPal’s ‘original’ offices, and we have a lot of pride in our employees working here — in fact, many of our Omaha employees have been with the company for more than 15 years,” said Amanda Coffee, director of global communications. “Our employees truly view each other as both colleagues and family, which is why we’ve been able to prioritize work/life balance for each other while delivering on great products and services for PayPal customers.”

Serving the nation’s health care system — and each other — is the mission of every employee at Signature Performance Inc.

The company was founded in Omaha and handles administrative services for the health care industry. It prides itself on being curious and adaptable in every department and job focus. Leaders rely on their workforce for fresh perspective each day.

“We need inspired associates with amazing ideas, innovation and leadership to stay highly connected and relevant in an ever-changing health care services industry,” said Mark Mathia, chief engagement officer. “Real happiness is the joy found in the unleashing of our truest potential. It doesn’t matter if we are at work, home or play.”

Signature Performance, which provides health care business services powered by technology, people and processes, offers flexible work options in terms of both locations and hours, as well as in-house university development, diverse associate resources groups, an in-house leadership development lab, mentoring partnerships, strengths-based coaching with Gallup coaches and more. Leaders say employees especially love that the company helps the health care industry. Signature Performance also boasts a nationally-accredited apprenticeship program and financial, mental and physical health benefits to support employees’ different stages in life. The company offers free fruit on campus.

Signature Performance leaders say 83% of employees view the company’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts as exceptionally strong. The company gives all associates multiple ways to be seen, heard and felt all year long through surveys, meetings with senior leaders, open feedback forums, and establishing trusting relationships to communicate freely and honestly.

Here are the most common words CharterWest employees used to describe their jobs: Family. Supportive. Exciting. Professional. Flexible. Trustworthy. Positive.

Impressive for a small town bank that grew into 16 locations and 152 employees across different departments and branches. It’s no surprise, though, to the employees themselves.

“Our reputation precedes us,” said Amy Dritley, CharterWest’s mortgage center business development manager. “I never have to explain to someone why I work at CharterWest. The owner, senior management and all employees really care about the organization and each other. I am proud to work for CharterWest.”

At CharterWest, it’s about living your best life. Employees say they feel valued, appreciated and trusted from all levels of leadership, including executives and board members. Bank leaders strive to make each location a positive work environment for all.

“Work-life balance is also extremely important to the company,” Dritley said. “They understand how important family is and how important it is to keep employees happy.”

Founded as a full-service bank in 1985 in West Point, Nebraska, CharterWest began opening branches in northwest Nebraska before its first Omaha metro location in 2004. A year later, CharterWest Mortgage Centers began cropping up across the state and offered the broadest array of residential mortgages available in their respective markets.

The bank continues to grow but keeps a focus on its roots as a customer-centric community bank and mortgage center. That commitment trickles down to employees as well.

“From the beginning, the bank board, ownership and management have strived to foster an environment of family, appreciation and professionalism,” said bank President Kevin Larson. “As president, it’s very rewarding to see our employees recognize and appreciate our efforts.”

Lockton Companies celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The company, which handles risk management and benefits, attributes its success to its employees — including the 55 who call Omaha home.

At the same time, Lockton does its best to ensure its entire workforce is an integral part of the company and the community.

“I have been in the insurance business for 40-plus years and this is the most energizing culture I have been part of,” Lockton President Jack Struyk said. “We have a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality here.”

In addition to doing the best possible job for clients — businesses across industries — Lockton encourages its employees to take part in community service. The company organizes volunteer work for local organizations, including Heartland Family Services and Youth Emergency Services, and empowers employees to serve in ways that suit them best. Because of that, every Lockton associate receives one day off a year to volunteer in the community.

Headquartered Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton opened its Omaha office 10 years ago with a dozen associates. Today, the branch boasts more than four times that and services nearly 1,600 clients.

“Lockton is the best place to work in insurance because our associates are empowered to do what is best for our clients at every turn,” said Tim Huber, a Lockton associate. “In addition, Lockton provides many opportunities to grow your career within the company.”

At a time when health care is top of mind more than ever, Midlands Choice has remained steadfast in its commitment to its customers — and the people who work there.

As a regional preferred provider organization with a health care network of more than 43,300 physicians and other health care professionals, Midlands Choice has kept out-of-pocket costs low for patients who seek help from network providers. At the same time, Midlands Choice has kept employees happy in a pandemic environment and an often volatile health care industry. How do they do it? Easy, company execs and employees say. The people.

“What I believe makes Midlands Choice a great place to work is the people who work here,” said Karen Bruch, a senior compliance analyst for the company. “Midlands Choice has great retention of employees and I believe that speaks volumes.”

Midlands Choice, 8420 West Dodge Road, has its roots in the 1980s but has been in its current entity since 2001. It provides insurance agent and broker services as well as expanding the number of choices patients have when it comes to affordable, effective health care plans and services.

The company’s network includes 338 hospitals and 2,405 other health care facilities who contract with Midlands Choice to offer reduced fees for health care services. Consumers are from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The company’s shareholders are three of the largest health care providers in Nebraska and Iowa.

Alongside the commitment to affordable health care, employees at Midlands Choice share the values of honesty, fairness, personal accountability, follow-through, long-term perspective in honoring commitments, transparency, open communication and treating employees as “valued members of the company,” said Sharon Rasmussen, director of professional services.

“The survey results revealed the top four words used to describe Midlands Choice’s culture are, ‘Friendly, Flexible, Family and Safe,’” she said. “These qualities are attributes of all the great people that work at Midlands Choice.”

Bridges Trust has made investing for clients successful in part by investing in its employees.

With roots tracing back to 1945, the company has long placed a focus on ensuring employees feel engaged and rewarded for the value they bring to the firm. Bridges Trust executives have strived to create a culture of forward-thinking and transparent leadership built by responsibly entrusting teams and individuals with the empowerment to make decisions of big impact.

Investing in employees through a healthy workplace culture builds trust and confidence while clearly defining the expectations of each other building purpose and unlocking potential, leaders say.

“Bridges Trust is built on a foundation of serving others through excellence in investment management,” said Ted Bridges, CEO and chief investment officer of Bridges Trust. “Our company seeks to attract, retain and develop exceptionally talented people who can grow as they serve our clients and the community. I believe that the positivity of our people and the energy and opportunities that abound in our work environment make the firm a great place for people to grow their careers.”

Bridges Trust handles financial planning, asset management, trust funds and wealth management for high net worth, multigenerational families, institutions and other clients. The firm’s solution-driven financial services are customized to best suite clients, their portfolios and their ambitions. Client relationships, like employee relationships, are built on trust. The company’s philosophy is based on, along with trust, service, excellence and integrity.

Supportworks Inc. has the energy and freedom of a startup and the stability of a multigenerational family company.

Last year, the company became Certified Evergreen, a national designation that signifies it has the culture, financial strength and long-term vision to weather economic storms and industry disruptions for the next century and beyond. Company leaders say employees’ unique diversity is the company’s greatest strength, though all share three things in common:

“They’re hungry, humble and smart,” said Supportworks President Dave Thrasher.

Supportworks is a home-service industry company comprising three brands: Foundation Supportworks designs and delivers a range of products to a worldwide network of foundation and concrete repair dealers; Hello Garage is a national garage renovation franchise; and SolutionView develops software designed to improve the contractor-homeowner experience.

From its roots to today, Supportworks leadership has worked hard to create a culture that includes a positive work environment and hiring the right people. It’s a mission and a passion, Thrasher said. Managers care about each employee’s physical and emotional well-being, which allows for total flexibility when it comes to time off for doctor’s appointments, family time, vacation and more. Supportworks leadership accommodate employees who still prefer to work remotely due to COVID. The company also has a large building with several pods and open spaces, allowing people to work away from their desk in a more secluded area, if desired.

“Particularly given the events of the past year, we’re so grateful to every employee for staying the course and continuing to redefine for each other,” Thrasher said. “A crisis can do one of two things to a team: it can either fracture it, or it can create a stronger level of connection that the team moves forward with.”

Supportworks employees participate in bi-monthly book clubs — books are paid for by the company and relate to personal and professional development — and social events to boost team morale. Leadership matches all employee charitable donations up to $500 a year. Supportworks employees also participate in regular community involvement events — from stuffing stockings for the Open Door Mission and purchasing gifts for children in partnership with Project Elf at Christmas time to purchasing and serving lunch at the Omaha Street School.

“Allowing fissures to occur is easy; holding steadfast in our purpose and commitment to one another is hard. Thank you to our employees for holding our culture sacred and keeping it a great place to work,” Thrasher said.