Burns & McDonnell
Clients and friends know the firm as “Burns & Mac,” and almost any Kansas City native could tell you what Burns & McDonnell does, namely employing its expertise in construction, environmental, engineering and architectural projects. Of 2,600 employees, 1,800 are based locally. The firm’s concern for its staff is apparent not only in generous health insurance benefits, but also in wellness programs like a tobacco cessation that reimburses employees up to seven times for the cost, or on-site educational programs like Burns & McDonnell University (BMU). Another advantage is that the company has been employee-owned since 1986. “As a 100 percent employee-owned firm, our people are rewarded for their performance and share in the overall success of the company,” says Greg Graves, president & CEO. In and around Kansas City, Burns & McDonnell has been involved in the Sprint Center as program manager and in the renovations to the Truman Sports Complex as owner’s representative, among other projects. The workforce is so committed to charities that the firm has given its philanthropic efforts a name, “Burns & Mac Giving Back.” At 110 years, the outlook remains positive. “2007 proved to be the best year yet,” says Graves. “And our future is looking brighter than ever.”
FERRELLGAS
In an age in which company loyalty can be scarce, Ferrellgas serves as a pleasant reminder of another era in which the employee made a lifelong career at one organization. Founded in Atchison, Kansas in 1939, Ferrellgas provides residential, business, industrial and agricultural propane services throughout the nation. It employs roughly 4,500 associates at its corporate offices in Overland Park and Liberty and hundreds of national retail locations. The company offers a competitive benefits package and an employee stock ownership plan that ties individual performance to the financial performance of the company. “If you enter this company, work hard and perform, you will advance,” reports Gene Caresia, vice president of human resources and legal. With a reputation for candor, company president & CEO James Ferrell broadcasts his communications through a blog he usually updates twice a week. SmartSource, an online library system, makes available books, movies and additional educational resources. True to their Midwestern roots, the staff of Ferrellgas is active in local charities such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Cells 4 Cells. Given its strong ties to Kansas City and its position as the second largest company in the retail propane industry, Ferrellgas looks forward to increasing earnings and building its team of associates.
THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
The Principal Financial Group employs more than 15,000 people worldwide and serves some 18.3 million customers including businesses, institutions and individuals in their investment, insurance and banking needs. In such a large enterprise, especially with headquarters in Iowa, you might expect a certain feeling of anonymity on the part of local employees. However, the opposite is true of the 100 or so individuals who work for the Principal Financial Group in three Overland Park locations. Mike Pezza, the managing partner for Kansas City reports, “We have over 15,000 employees, but I receive emails from the CEO of the company [J. Barry Griswell]. It feels like a small community.” Employees have the best of both worlds: access to all the benefits of an S&P 500 corporation such as health, pension and retirement plans options as well as the closeness of a smaller firm, including flexible scheduling, active recruitment of a diverse workforce, and a focus on “people development.” Most importantly, Principal Financial wants its employees to succeed. “We are very dedicated to having those people that we do recruit be successful in the industry,” says Pezza. “It’s a long lasting career.” Founded as Bankers Life Association in 1879, the company has operated in Kansas City since 1912.
FREIGHTQUOTE.COM
Online transport management services firm freightquote.com will soon celebrate ten years of business. During those years, founder and CEO Tim Barton saw his employee base grow from just a handful to more than 900, with some 650 in Lenexa and 200-plus others in offices in Minneapolis and Philadelphia. Along the way, the company has maintained a friendly and flexible relationship with its personnel. Many companies may talk about instituting a work-life balance, but freightquote.com has the proof: an empty parking lot at 5:05 p.m. “The work life balance is not window dressing,” says Barton. “It is our cultural view that you work from 8 to 5 and the rest of the time is your time.” On the flip side, the enforced business hours work to the company’s advantage. People take their jobs seriously. “We attract and retain a workforce of people that like to work.” In a firm that values friendliness, people get together on Friday “Freightsocials” as well as at company picnics, concerts and charity events. Now that freightquote.com has grown, human resources managers support the employees in more formal ways, including a full range of benefits, tuition reimbursement and an eco-friendly environment. Regardless of its fast growth, freightquote.com expects to maintain this business model going forward.
