A commitment to building strong, dynamic workplaces is a shared trait of 2024’s Top Workplace winners.
Member-owned, not-for-profit WPPI Energy serves 51 locally-owned electric utilities. Together, WPPI members have built a diverse, competitive and responsible power supply. They share modern technologies and forward-thinking services, and they speak with a unified voice for effective energy policy advocacy. By partnering with like-minded utilities, their members share resources and expertise to help their communities thrive.
Employee comment: “We emphasize service respect, service collaboration. It’s what we preach, and when we interview potential employees, that’s part of the interview process.”
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Founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson and named by a childhood best friend, colleague and forever member of the Fairway family, Randy Cross, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a mortgage lender headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin and Carrollton, Texas. The company has more than 500 branches and over 5,000 employees nationwide. Their goal is to act as a trusted adviser, providing highly-personalized service and helping clients through every step of the loan process.
Employee comment: “We talk about our core values every day. We have 10 core values, and one of them is always being addressed in some form or fashion throughout our communications.”
Since 2009, Achieving Collaborative Treatment (ACT) has been serving Autistic individuals in South Central Wisconsin. Their mission is to provide top-tier behavior analytic services to clients and their families. They work collaboratively with families and schools to design and implement an individualized age-appropriate treatment plan for each client. Their goal is to help clients develop independence in living and social skills and manage episodes of challenging behaviors.
Employee comment: “It doesn’t matter if you’re the newbie on the block or you’re the owner, we really all come together to work as teams with our clients. There’s total buy-in.”
First Business Bank is passionate about helping businesses and people. Since the day their doors opened in 1990, they’ve believed that success relies on putting people first – clients, employees, families and communities. The result is extremely engaged employees who feel supported and provide unmatched client satisfaction.
Employee comment: “We’re very team focused. It’s not about individuals here. It’s what we accomplish together that’s a real selling point to people.”
Singlewire Software is the developer of InformaCast and Visitor Aware, two solutions that enable organizations to detect threats, notify everyone and manage incidents. More than 5,000 organizations in over 80 countries use these tools to enhance safety and communication so they can protect their most important asset: their people. From screening visitors to sending alerts and handling critical events, Singlewire Software offers solutions for every safety challenge.
Employee comment: “If your cultural core values are embedded in your vision, mission statement and your strategy, you’re creating a recipe for a good, healthy and fun place to work.”
6. WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
This insurer has 220 Madison-area employees and company values that stress excellence, integrity and responsibility. The company also emphasizes the importance of employee social gatherings, ranging from barbecues to attendance at Milwaukee Bucks games. Community involvement is also one of the firms trademarks, with philanthropy through the West Bend Mutual Insurance Charitable Trust.
Employee comment: “Help is there when I need it anytime I have questions. I am able to have a very balanced home and work life.”
7. RAMAKER
Based in Sauk City, Ramaker is a full-service architecture, engineering and interior design firm. The firm is 100% employee owned, which it says brings a sense of commitment and investment in Ramaker’s work. The firm offers a range of picnics and social gatherings to keep employees connected and engaged. It also has a Social Responsibility Committee that organizes a community giving event annually.
Employee comment: “I am expected to bring new ideas and solutions to the team and, once approved, given the autonomy to execute those ideas.”
8. ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP
Ascendium invests in education-focused innovations to improve learner outcomes; and provides information, tools and counseling to help millions of borrowers successfully repay their federal student loans. It also funds projects nationally that help low-income learners improve their lives. Its 275 employees enjoy tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment assistance up to $5,250 per year and a dependent scholarship program.
Employee comment: “I love that we have had a role in making higher education a possibility for all. Ascendium Education always puts the borrower first and makes every effort to ensure any new benefit is made available to each student borrower.”
9. M3 INSURANCE
M3, a business insurance and financial firm founded in Madison in 1968, has 190 local employees. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, it offers employees onsite fitness rooms, healthy meal options, ergonomic workstations, volunteer time off and self-guided meditation services. It also has a financial wellness and professional development programs.
Employee comment: “I am constantly encouraged to be a better person by those around me. I love the trust and flexibility we are given.”
10. CI PEDIATRIC THERAPY CENTERS
CI Pediatric Therapy Centers, headquartered in Fitchburg, has clinics throughout Wisconsin offering speech, occupational, feeding and physical therapy, along with mental health services. It offers employees continuing education funds and paid time off to learn. It also gives company-paid vacations to employees at three, six and 10 years of full-time employment. CI also cultivates a fun and inclusive workplace.
Employee comment: “I love being a part of a team that directly impacts the lives of our clients.”
11. AMERICAN TEL-A-SYSTEMS
Known as Amtelco, this McFarland-based firm produces call-center systems, software applications and secure texting technologies. Its 116 employees have a comprehensive benefits package, a casual work environment, free parking, and a wellness program that participates in a CSA and other healthy activities throughout the year.
Employee comment: “Upper management trusts the employees they hire to do the job and don’t overmanage at all.”
12. ZORO
With 163 Madison-area employees, Chicago-based Zoro is an e-commerce supplier to businesses. Zoro employees start with 18 days of paid time off. The firm highlights a customer-based workplace culture and a performance-based bonus program. Key business metrics are shared with everyone, including sales, earnings and failures. Company meetings are led by a different team member each week.
Employee comment: “I have the latitude to solve problems the way I see fit and am encouraged to bring new ideas to the table.”
13. INDEPENDENT PHARMACY COOPERATIVE
The Sun Prairie-based firm is a group-purchasing and advocacy organization serving independent and community pharmacies. In addition to its comprehensive benefits plan, it offers a 401(k) dollar-for-dollar match on the first 4% contribution and also has a profit-sharing plan. The cooperative also promotes a healthy work-life balance and a dress-for-your-day approach for employees.
Employee comment: “I feel like I am a part of a company making a positive difference for others.”
14. ATKORE
Based in Harvey, Ill., Atkore provides electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions and has 110 Madison-area employees. The firm prides itself on a company culture that stresses integrity, communication. It also fosters a collaborative workplace where team members continually challenge each other to improve products, processes and people.
Employee comment: “I feel I can communicate any concerns and they will be taken seriously. The same can be said for any new ideas and suggestions.”
15. FLEETWORTHY SOLUTIONS
Fleetworthy Solutions, with 132 Madison employees, provides safety and regulatory compliance to commercial fleets. Employees said managers are supportive and appreciative. They also noted that top management is responsive to employee concerns. Its workplace culture embraces client service, experience and advanced technology to ensure that drivers and assets are safe and compliant.
Employee comment: “You can tell that you are a valued employee with how much management cares for you and your opinion.”
16. ONE COMMUNITY BANK
With 15 locations, each featuring the colors of the community’s high school, locally owned One Community Bank has 225 Madison-area employees. The bank offers wellness benefits, 401(k) matching, opportunities for advancement, pet insurance and a comprehensive benefits package.
Employee comment: “My supervisor has a collaborative and mentoring approach which motivates me to be the best at my job, share new ideas and explore my full potential.”
17. JOHNSON FINANCIAL GROUP
This Racine-based firm has 138 Madison-area employees serving the community’s banking and wealth management needs. The firm matches employee United Way donations and makes nearly $2 million in charitable contributions groupwide. Johnson Financial Group offers a retirement savings plan with a. company match, health club subsidy, adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
Employee comment: “I am free to make mistakes and learn from them. Our team is a very close-knit team who looks out for each other and genuinely cares for each other and pitches in where needed.”
18. ASSOCIATED BANK
Associated Bank has 23 Madison-area locations with 191 employees. Headquartered in Green Bay, the firm has an employee volunteer program which has racked up more than 540,000 volunteer hours over 11 years. It offers seven colleague resource groups working to address the needs of diverse populations in the workplace and the community.
Employee comment: “Helping my clients and community is meaningful work and makes me feel like I am making a difference.”
19. EK
This Fall River metal product manufacturer is first-time Top Workplaces recipient. With two locations, the company has about 200 employees across three shifts, the firm does contract manufacturing for a variety of industries. EK offers one-the-job training, certification assistance, tuition reimbursement and in-house advancement in a problem-solving environment.
Employee comment: “It challenges me to find solutions to problems that help our team be better than our competition.”
20. DEWITT LLP
DeWitt LLP, one of Wisconsin’s 10 largest law firms, has 105 Madison-area employees. It offers a comprehensive benefits program, including a 401(k) match. The firm also provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of a child and to care for and bond with an associate’s newborn or adopted child.
Employee comment: “It’s all about the people. Pay and the work are great, but the people are what keep me at my job.”
21. EAST MADISON TOYOTA
This Madison car dealership has 111 employees and offers a comprehensive benefits package, a wellness program, and an employee assistance program. Employees get free car detailing every year on their service anniversary and some complimentary services for family members. And, on birthdays, employees receive a hand-delivered cake.
Employee comment: “I love who I work with and work for. I love being able to help guests make their vehicles safe to drive.”
22. COMPEER FINANCIAL
Compeer is headquartered in Sun Prairie with 143 employees. The member-owned cooperative supports agriculture and rural communities. New team members start with 15 days of vacation, 16 volunteer hours and 15 days of sick leave, with unlimited accrual. It provides a match of up to 6% of 401(k) contributions, plus a 3% contribution of eligible compensation, whether or not employees contribute.
Employee comment: “The work is exciting; the people are great, and I have the flexibility I need to balance work and home life.”
