Thirty-five companies from across Alabama were honored Monday at Business Alabama’s Best Companies to Work for in Alabama luncheon in Birmingham.
The companies were selected based on extensive surveys conducted by the Best Companies Group.
The winners included 18 in the small-to-medium category and 17 in the large company category (300 employees or more).
WARREN AVERETT IS LARGE COMPANY CATEGORY WINNER
One of the largest accounting firms in the Southeast, Birmingham-based Warren Averett has 14 offices and more than 800 employees. It calls itself more than just a workplace, offering opportunities for learning, growing, collaborating and building relationships. In addition to a competitive benefits package, Warren Averett offers perks such as a four-week sabbatical for eligible team members. To help employees build families, the company recently added assisted reproductive technology benefits to its medical plan coverage. The company offers defined times for employee raises and promotions and offers profit-sharing as well.
SWAGELOCK WINS SMALL TO MEDIUM COMPANIES
Swagelok, headquartered in Birmingham, is an international organization that designs and manufactures fluid management products, from valves and hoses to regulators and filters. The company focuses on six key priorities for its employees, including team collaboration, employee well-being, professional development, recognition and appreciation, work-life balance, and community engagement. Swagelok’s benefits package includes a 401(k) matching plan, vacations, paid time off and a quarterly performance pay structure with bonuses based on the company’s performance. Team members are often recognized for their contributions by peers and leaders, and team members take part in regular training sessions to help them enhance their skills.
LARGE COMPANIES, RUNNERS-UP (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Alabama Credit Union
Tuscaloosa- based Alabama Credit Union provides an array of banking/financial products. In addition to health, dental and vision insurance, Alabama Credit Union contributes to employee long-term disability insurance, life insurance, critical illness care and more. Good work is appreciated in company activities such as Staff Fest, a combination of company business, productivity and enjoying a day together.
Avadian Credit Union
Birmingham-based Avadian is one of the largest credit unions in Alabama, with 18 branches across the state. Company goals include career growth for its employees. In addition to comprehensive insurance plans, 401(k), medical leave and holiday pay, Avadian offers a student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, flexible work hours and a relaxed dress code.
Bank Independent
Headquartered in Sheffield, Bank Independent operates branches there and throughout the Shoals area. In addition to health and dental coverage, retirement and pension plans, life insurance and other benefits, the bank offers career development, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer opportunities and other perks.
BMSS Advisors & CPAs
BMSS Advisors & CPAs is one of the top 100 accounting and advisory firms in the U.S., with six offices in Alabama, including its headquarters in Birmingham. Employees receive vigorous advancement opportunities and professional development. In addition to a competitive benefits package, BMSS shows value for employees through cutting-edge communications such as BMSS TV, internal newsletters and monthly firm-wide meetings. BMSS Advisors & CPAs placed second in the large-company category.
Edward Jones
Edward Jones has more than 1,500 branches in the U.S. and Canada, including in Alabama. Workers are eligible for profit-sharing benefits from Day 1, with bonuses given throughout the year, rewarding both teams and individual workers. Benefits also include maternity and paternity leave.
Guardian Credit Union
Guardian Credit Union began in 1958, providing savings and loan accounts to Alabama National Guard members and their families. Today, the full-service financial institution serves 14 Alabama counties. Team member benefits cover paid sick leave, vacation, insurance, tuition reimbursement and more. Guardian also pays employees for charitable volunteer hours.
Gulf Distributing Holdings
Gulf is a family-owned and operated beer and beverage distribution company based in Mobile and serving Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and parts of Mississippi. Gulf employs more than 1,200 people. Company leaders consistently increase wages and invest in technology and equipment for employees.
Higginbotham
Higginbotham is a privately held independent insurance broker with 116 locations nationwide, including 12 in Alabama. In addition to standard benefits, Higginbotham offers benefits including a wellness program and employee development. The company believes in communication, with weekly reports, shout-outs, company news and more to keep employees in the know.
Mauldin & Jenkins
Mauldin & Jenkins is an accounting, financial and consulting service headquartered in Huntsville. Their comprehensive benefits include 401(k) plans, paid parenting leave, disability coverage, health care, wellness resources, financial consulting and a flexible remote schedule.
Max Credit Union
Montgomery-based Max Credit Union serves Central and East Alabama, including Montgomery, Auburn, Opelika, Prattville, Wetumpka and Troy. Max offers health insurance, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, sick leave, paid vacation, tuition reimbursement and pet insurance. The company also supports nonprofits through its MAX4Kids.
Panda Restaurant Group
Panda Restaurant Group is the parent company of Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. Leaders of the company, which includes more than 53,000 associates at more than 2,500 locations, says a focus is promoting growth and progress for their employees, as well as their business.
PCH Hotels & Resorts
PCH Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio spans across Alabama. PCH focuses on internal employee advancement and also offers appealing benefits and employee discounts to take care of the people that create memorable experiences for guests. This includes professional development, parties and get-togethers throughout the year and employee recognition programs.
Quincy Compressor
Based in Bay Minette, Quincy Compressor designs and manufactures reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors and vacuum pumps. Employee benefits include 13 company paid holidays and professional development. Employees have the option of investing in a variety of funds through the company’s 401(k) program.
Rausch Coleman Homes
Rausch Coleman Homes is one of the top homebuilders in the U.S., with Alabama locations in Birmingham, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa. Employee benefits cover comprehensive insurance, including vision, critical illness and disability, as well a family medical leave, parental bonding leave and chaplain services.
River Bank & Trust
River Bank & Trust is based in Prattville and has 24 locations around Alabama. Its 350 employees enjoy a 401(k) that offers stock options in the company. In addition, the bank offers professional development. A coveted perk is the Big Fish Award, a quarterly accolade celebrating those who go above and beyond delivering personal attention, hospitality and local banking expertise. River Bank & Trust placed third in the large company category.
Sentar
Sentar is a Huntsville-based company focusing on intelligence and analytics, systems and software engineering and cybersecurity. Workers enjoy robust benefit packages, with a maternity package recently added to the package. Professional development is an emphasis, and workers receive bonuses and other perks in recognition of a job well done.
SMALL TO MEDIUM COMPANIES, RUNNERS-UP (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
The American Equity Underwriters
The American Equity Underwriters, based in Mobile, provides workers’ compensation insurance for waterfront employers and program administration for the American Longshore Mutual Association. Average tenure of employees there is more than eight years and benefits include adoption assistance and maternity and paternity leave.
Anglin Reichmann Armstrong
Huntsville-based Anglin Reichmann Armstrong is an accounting firm serving clients in government contracting, construction, health care and other industries. The company gives monthly All-Star awards to employees, and it also provides a coffee truck and twice-a-year ice cream truck.
First Metro Bank
First Metro Bank has 11 locations throughout Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale and Limestone Counties. Like their customers, they consider employees part of their family. Annual events include a golf tournament honoring a former branch manager, an administrative professionals lunch and employee Christmas breakfast.
Fite Building Company
Decatur-based Fite Building Company is a general contracting and construction management firm serving customers across the Southeast and beyond. Company leaders say success is measured not only by structures they build but also the positive impact on the community. Leaders say their employees are their greatest asset.
Heritage South Credit Union
Sylacauga-based Heritage South Credit Union serves more than 14,000 members in 14 counties. The credit union is active in all of its communities and promotes a healthy work/life balance for employees. A recently added employee perk, the HSCU score, allows team members to earn HSCU bucks that can be spent on a variety of gift items.
Kassouf & Company
Birmingham-based Kassouf & Company specializes in business and tax consulting. The company has an on-site fitness center and podcast studio, pays employees’ membership fees in professional organizations and provides continuing professional education. Kassouf’s employee engagement committee organizes events and treats for team members.
League of Southeastern Credit Unions
The League represents almost 300 credit unions in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Employees can take advantage of flexible schedules, gym reimbursements and discounts to various entertainment and sporting events. Funding is also available for training and educational opportunities.
Machen McChesney
Machen McChesney, based in Auburn, is a business advisory company. Employees are recognized for their years of service to the firm as well as their birthday. Employee engagement includes milk shake trucks, tailgating, bowling and a lake party.
McShane Construction
McShane Construction, with a Southeast regional office in Auburn, is a multi-family and commercial general contracting firm. The company conducts semi-annual engagement surveys, and employee activities include tailgating at Auburn football games, grilling together at lunch and closing the office early for volunteer events.
Petra Risk Management Services
Petra Risk Management Services, an insurance firm based in Birmingham, has offices in Sylacauga, Tuskegee and Mobile. Perks for employees include 22 days off plus 12 holidays, a remote hybrid schedule for client managers and three health-care plan choices. The company also matches retirement contributions by 50% and has an employee stock ownership plan. Petra Risk Management Services placed third among small and medium-sized companies.
Roberts Brothers
Roberts Brothers, based in Mobile, serves the Mobile Bay and Central Gulf Coast regions with home sales and property management. The company offers retirement plan contributions for employees on their first day of hire, and an annual company cruise ranging from four to seven days. Robert Brothers placed second among small and medium-sized companies.
Rolin Construction
General contractor Rolin Construction, based in Spanish Fort, builds projects along the Alabama Gulf Coast. The company engages employees by providing extra benefits, milestone celebrations, professional programs, award recognition, company events and creative givebacks, among other things.
Seay, Seay & Litchfield
Seay, Seay & Litchfield is a Montgomery-based architecture firm with branch offices in Dothan, Auburn and Huntsville. The company offers employees a flexible work schedule, relocation reimbursement and profit sharing as part of their 401(k).
Silver Ships
Theodore-based Silver Ships produces aluminum boats for military, federal, state and municipal governments. The company’s vision is to provide customers with a boat designed, built, outfitted and best suited to meet their operational needs while offering the maximum in crew safety and outstanding performance.
United Bank
United Bank, serving Southwest Alabama and Northwest Florida, prides itself on serving its communities and its employees. The company has increased starting salaries for new employees and enhanced its benefits package by granting additional vacation days, establishing a sick leave donation program and expanding its tuition reimbursement program.
White-Spunner Construction
White-Spunner Construction is a general contracting, construction management and design-build company headquartered in Mobile. Its project portfolio has grown to include everything from grocery stores to university campuses, auto dealerships, Hank Aaron Stadium, the Mobile Museum of Art and more spanning 28 states. Among other things, its employees enjoy Food Truck Fridays, costumes at Halloween and deep-sea fishing trips.
Wilkins Miller
Wilkins Miller, an accounting firm headquartered in Mobile, offers many perks throughout the year, including team lunches during the holidays. During the busy season, the company features Takeout Tuesdays, deadline lunches, specialty coffee orders and treats throughout the week. The company also offers two four-tier fully insured health plans through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
An edited version of this story appeared in the December 2024 issue of Business Alabama magazine.
