Blog Post: Houston's Best Places to Work: Secrets to their Success

They Houston Business Journal's 2009 Best Places to work in Houston took place this past Wednesday.  Employees list everything from free tickets and dinners to good health insurance, but the managers at Houston’s Best Places to Work see a bigger picture. Many say the atmosphere is a result of carefully selected employees, while others cite their corporate culture. Below are responses from some of the winning companies on why their firms made the final cut:

Suzanne Ogle
Vice president of marketing and investor relations
Valerus Compression Services LP

Our people are intelligent, creative thinkers, kind, funny, empowered and motivated. In good times or stressful times, you can count on our team to work hard, find solutions and have fun doing it.

Terrence N. Ivers
President
AMEC Paragon Inc.

We have a great work culture that goes back to the 1980s and our employees are our greatest advocates.

Wanda Dalton
Chief human resource officer
Sterling Bank

Every associate, regardless of job title, is a banker, and we realize that we are helping fellow Texans prosper. We have big Texas hearts. Despite a recession, our Houston bankers raised more money for March of Dimes in 2009 than in 2008.

Sid Nueno
Recruiting and staffing manager
Briggs & Veselka Co.

Our employees really do care for one another — from top management to entry-level staff — and the result is a great work environment. We recognize that we simply can’t succeed without our employees, and we do our best to make sure they know they are the firm’s most valuable asset.

Jeff D. Reeter
Managing partner
Texas Financial Group, Houston – Austin – San Antonio

We define success as “life success,” not just business achievements. We have a unique culture based on my firm belief that no amount of success in business makes up for failure in other areas of life. Because of our passion for balance, we do not ask people to choose between their work and other things that are important to them.

Julie Rusk
Director of Houston operations
PageSoutherlandPage

We acknowledge that employment is a two-way relationship — both the employee and the employer must find value in the relationship.

Bobby D. Butler Jr.
Vice president and chief compliance officer
Universal Weather and Aviation Inc.

In my 19-year career, and this includes positions with Fortune 100 companies, I have never experienced the family spirit quite like Universal. This unique family culture is what makes Universal the best place to work in Houston.

Etan Mirwis
President
Rockwell Management

Our company has an open-door policy not only for our employees but for our owners/investors as well. Our policy also includes personal issues; no matter what position you hold in the company.

Lisa Guidry
Founder and CEO
Extreme Technologies Inc.

Extreme is constantly challenging our employees to think outside their comfort zones. Really amazing things happen when your employees have the ability to do new and creative things to get the job done right for a client.

Cora Nash
Human resource and recruiting manager
Entelligence LLC

What is unique about our company is the commitment to the employee and their families. We do this through consistent communication via phone calls from managers, CEO and CFO for birthdays, anniversaries, special achievements, or just checking in.

Joe Sansone
Founder and CEO
TMC Orthopedic LP and Amputee & Prosthetic Center Inc.

TMC does not hire just anyone; our employees are the crème de le crème. All employees are put through a rigorous hiring process to ensure we have the top-notch people working for our company. We have always relied on and trusted our employees to give their all, and they have consistently exceeded my expectations.