Company Culture: President Kathy Finnerty Thomas says building a strong culture at Stowebridge (asi/337500) in which employees feel respected, appreciated and empowered is her top priority. “If we spend time taking care of the employees, understanding their life challenges and goals, truly listening to their ideas, having their backs and also empowering them to make decisions that help our customers be successful – then we are a far more successful company,” she says.

9
Appearances on Best Places to Work

That approach, along with things like flexibility and a great benefits package, are significant factors in why employees love working at Stowebridge, which makes its ninth appearance on the Best Places to Work list. “We also have lots of food celebrations, and a family dog who delivers the mail,” Finnerty Thomas shares. “There are surprise happy hours after a hard day or week.”

COVID Changes: Stowebridge’s office staff worked remotely for about six weeks following the onset of COVID in March 2020, but then asked to come back to the office, collectively agreeing to wear masks. The production employees have worked in smaller groups since then, and other than a couple long-term employees who had already moved out of Arizona and worked remotely before the pandemic, the Stowebridge team continues to work together in the office. “We are,” says Finnerty Thomas, “better together.”

Parting Tip: “Hire for attitude and make caring for your people your number-one priority,” says Finnerty Thomas. “This has translated to great business results and customer loyalty.”