Representatives of more than two dozen Alabama-based companies took time away from work on Thursday to celebrate how much they enjoy where they work.
The lunchtime gathering at B&A Warehouse in Birmingham was in recognition of the businesses being among the “Best Companies to Work For in Alabama,” marking the 21st year that Business Alabama magazine has handed out the awards.
River Bank & Trust out of Prattville took home (or took to work) top honors in the Large Company category for businesses with 250 or more employees, while Birmingham-based Swagelok won first place in the Small-to-Medium category.
“With workforce issues prevalent in many sectors, what you do to retain employees and keep them happy and productive is of the utmost importance,” Business Alabama Executive Editor Alec Harvey said before announcing the winners.
For River Bank & Trust, those efforts include offering employee stock ownership as well an annual cash incentive based on the bank’s profitability. The bank values employee feedback by soliciting ideas every quarter, then awarding a gift card to the employee with the best suggestion. The company also provides partial tuition reimbursement and other assistance for workers who wish to pursue professional certifications.
“We want to make everyone feel good about going to work,” River Bank & Trust CEO Jimmy Stubbs said. “We spend a lot of time there every day, so we want to make sure it’s a fun place, as well as a place to get something done.”
Warren Averett took second place in the category. The accounting firm offers promotion ceremonies and years-of-service awards, and employees are eligible every five years to receive a paid, four-week sabbatical. Financial advisor Edward Jones was third, thanks in part to the company’s focus on bonuses, profit-sharing and volunteerism.
Swagelok received top honors in its first year competing for the award. The industrial equipment supplier recently implemented a program designed to help employees reach their career goals, and management holds monthly meetings to acknowledge employee milestones and achievements. The company wraps up each work week by gathering in a hallway for a Friday afternoon putting competition.
“This is quite an honor,” Swagelok president Patrick Werrlein said. “The thing that makes this so special is, I don’t know if we could have done this a couple of years ago. But there are a lot of people on this team who are super-passionate about this organization. I’m accepting this on their behalf. I’m truly grateful, humbled and fortunate to work with such a great team.”
Byars Wright Insurance came in second, marking the company’s seventh consecutive appearance on the list, and CPA firm Kassouf & Co. was third.
Gold Sponsors for Best Companies to Work For in Alabama were the American Equity Underwriters, Bank Independent, Guardian Credit Union, Quincy Compressor, SteadPoint, Unclaimed Baggage and Warren Averett.
Silver Sponsors were ADTRAV, Alabama Credit Union, First Metro Bank, Fite Building Company, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Afiliates, River Bank & Trust, Roberts Brothers, Sensigreen Heating & Air, SPOC Automation, Swagelok (Birmingham), Thompson Engineering and White-Spunner Construction.
Bronze sponsors were Legacy Credit Union and NXTSoft.
Click here to go to the Top Winner Among Large Companies
Click here to go to the Runners-Up Among Large Companies
Click here to go to the Top Winner Among Small and Medium Companies
Click here to go to the Runners-Up Among Small and Medium Companies
TOP WINNER AMONG LARGE COMPANIES
RIVER BANK & TRUST
In the Best Companies to Work For contest, River Bank & Trust, headquartered in Prattville, captured the No. 1 spot in the large company category.
Jimmy Stubbs, River Bank & Trust’s CEO since it opened in 2006, says perks such as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), along with other benefits, work together to make River Bank & Trust a place where employees want to stay and build their careers.
River Bank has added more employees to its team since it ranked number six in the contest last year in the small and medium category. Today, the bank has 315 employees.
“Our turnover ratio is relatively low. It was before the pandemic, and since the pandemic. I think that’s because we have a really good work environment. I would say we take a holistic approach to making sure the team is taken care of,” Stubbs says.
The bank, says Stubbs, promotes what he calls “the four cornerstones of service.” They are the shareholders, the team, the customers and the community.
“We’ve always said that if you take care of the team, then they’ll take care of the shareholders, and they’ll take care of the customers, and they’ll take care of the community,” he says.
To take care of the team, the bank’s leadership keeps an eye on the economy, knowing that in today’s job market, more jobs exist than workers, so the competition for workers remains high. Consequently, the bank strives to offer a competitive salary and benefits package, he says.
One such benefit, the ESOP, allows employees, both full- and part-time, to own stock in the bank. ESOP is part of the bank’s overall 401k program. Stock options are also available.
“What we’ve found is that when a team member has ownership in the bank, it means more. As an owner, you’re not just someone who’s coming and drawing a paycheck,” he says.
Workers also enjoy an annual cash incentive, based on the bank’s profitability, that all team members share, he says.
Besides giving employees ownership in the bank, the management strives to ensure that workers’ voices are heard by welcoming any suggestions for improvements.
Then, each quarter, senior management reviews and evaluates all employee suggestions and picks the ones they want to pursue. The employee who submits the best suggestion wins a gift card, Stubbs says.
“And we respond to each employee individually, thanking them for the suggestion,” Stubbs says.
The bank also provides staffers with various paths for promotions and advancement, he says.
“If there’s a job opening in the bank, we always make sure that the team is aware of that opening,” Stubbs says.
Moreover, workers can take advantage of River Bank’s partial tuition reimbursement plan if they desire to return to school and earn a degree. They can also receive assistance from River Bank & Trust to pursue professional certifications from organizations like the Alabama Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association, Stubbs says.
The bank’s other employee benefits include paid vacations, personal days off and the possibility of earning an extra day off based on how much they contributed to the United Way.
But the team at River Bank & Trust also finds time for fun.
“As CEO, I like to go and visit our different regions, and while there, we typically try to have a team dinner, where we gather everyone together and enjoy that time just to fellowship,” he says.
Employees and managers also ring in the holidays with Thanksgiving luncheons and Christmas parties at the respective bank locations.
To keep team members informed of bank happenings, the bank maintains a company newsletter and a social media presence — including on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn — to announce awards and promotions and to share photos from bank events.
“We have a constant churn of communications to make everyone feel a part. Your job is a part of everyone else’s job and is important no matter what your job is in the bank,” Stubbs says.
“All of those things, blended together, makes for a good place to be.”
RUNNERS-UP AMONG LARGE COMPANIES
ADTRAV
This Hoover travel agency specializes in travel program management by providing data consolidation and expert analysis to businesses and corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations. Agents offer client counseling, VIP arrangements, meeting and vacation planning, hotel program solutions and global travel assistance. Areas of expertise include the complex worlds of government-funded and non-profit travel. ADTRAV continuously monitors employee engagement and has a 45-year reputation for quality service.
ALABAMA CREDIT UNION
Alabama Credit Union (ACU) was chartered in 1956 to serve the University of Alabama. Today, ACU has more than $1 billion in assets and serves more than 110,000 members through 35 branches across Alabama and in North Florida. ACU focuses on its employees by providing the strong benefits, ensuring good company morale and keeping team members informed. Its internal training program led to 56 promotions within the past year. “By identifying talent from within our ranks, we can fill internal positions with people who already know and understand the Alabama CU culture and who can meet the demands of higher-level positions,” says CEO Steve Swofford.
AVADIAN CREDIT UNION
Avadian began as Alabama Telco in 1934, opening its doors with a grand total of $70 in assets. The name referred to the fact that Telco once served only telephone companies and their families. That name changed in 2015. Today Avadian branches throughout Alabama serve more than 87,000 customers. With locations in greater Birmingham, Dothan, Geneva, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile and Vernon, Avadian is now one of the largest credit unions in Alabama, with more than $1 billion in assets. Bank research firm BauerFinancial consistently rates them five stars. Forbes recently named Avadian one of the top three credit unions in Alabama.
BANK INDEPENDENT
Founded in 1947 when the only bank in Leighton closed, Bank Independent is based in Sheffield in Northwest Alabama. Through the years, it has been known by various names including the Bank of Leighton and First Colbert Bank. In 2005, the bank purchased 17 offices of Colonial Bank throughout North Alabama. As the ninth-largest bank in Alabama, it currently operates 28 branches in the state. Operations are limited to Alabama. Bank Independent currently employs more than 600 people and is on the Forbes list of Best In-State Banks. The bank research firm BauerFinancial rated it “superior.”
BBB INDUSTRIES
BBB is an industry leader in manufacturing starters, alternators, hydraulic and air disc brake calipers, turbochargers and hydraulic and electric power steering products. BBB Industries was founded in 1987. The world headquarters is in Daphne. BBB ships repair parts to more than 64 countries. Its solar division offers a range of photovoltaic modules (better known as solar panels), business storage solutions and solar attic fans. The company considers itself a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing.
EDWARD JONES
With more than 15,000 locations in North America, this Fortune 500 financial services firm has more branch offices in the U.S. than any other brokerage firm in the country. For more than 100 years, the company has specialized in a personal relationship with clients. Roughly 19,000 financial advisors work with more than 8 million clients. Investment services include stock selection and brokerage accounts, bonds, CDs, mutual funds, ETFs, estate planning, annuities, long-term care insurance and retirement accounts. There are multiple Edward Jones locations in Alabama.
MARTIN INC.
More than 85 years ago, Louis Martin saw a need for basic industrial supplies and repair parts in North Alabama. Today, Martin Supply Company is one of the nation’s top 50 industrial distributors of fasteners and safety, industrial and integrated supplies and services. Catering to industrial and construction customers, the company offers safety equipment (PPE), cutting tools, pumps, compressors, paints, lubricants, power tools, electrical products, motors, commercial construction products and more. Industrial Distribution magazine ranked Martin Supply at No. 44 on its annual Big 50 List of North American Industrial Distributors, citing 2021 annual sales of $156 million.
MAX CREDIT UNION
Founded in 1955, Montgomery-based MAX Credit Union is a full-service financial institution offering a full range of services, including checking accounts, investing, insurance, home mortgages and the latest in digital banking. MAX provides an energetic work environment for its employees, offering competitive compensation, wellness programs, volunteer opportunities and recognition of employee achievements. In 2001, a group of associates created the MAX4Kids Foundation, which has raised more than $1.4 million to support local children’s charities.
QUINCY COMPRESSOR
This Illinois-based company that started in 1920 provides air compressor products for mining, drilling, concrete production, shipbuilding and everyday use. They introduced the QR-25 reciprocating/piston compressor in 1937, and it remains an industry standard. Nearly 40% of rotary sales are custom orders with unique configurations. In 1980, machining and manufacturing operations of rotary screw compressors and vacuum pumps began in Bay Minette. The plant expanded in 1996. Quincy Compressor serves aerospace, agricultural, dry cleaning, automotive, brewing, manufacturing and other industries.
RAUSCH COLEMAN HOMES
Since getting its start in Arkansas, Rausch Coleman Homes has become one of the top homebuilders in the United States. The company has built more than 30,000 homes in more than 65 years with an emphasis on energy-efficient construction in major metropolitan areas, as well as suburban locations. Alabama offices are located in Birmingham and Huntsville. Other locations include Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Texas.
SOUTHSTATE (BIRMINGHAM)
Headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida, SouthState Bank provides consumer, commercial, mortgage and wealth management solutions to more than 1 million customers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. SouthState’s employee benefits include flexible spending accounts, a competitive 401k and an employee stock purchase plan. They also help employees grow professionally through a variety of learning and leadership opportunities. SouthState also encourages team members to grow their personal lives as well as their professional lives.
THOMPSON ENGINEERING
Thompson Engineering is an engineering design, environmental consulting and construction management firm headquartered in Mobile, with additional offices in Birmingham, Orange Beach, Tuscaloosa and Daphne. Established in 1953, the company has more than 300 employees in eight states. Beyond its basic services, Thompson provides drilling, materials testing, construction inspection and chemistry laboratory services. During its early years, Thompson Engineering performed services along the Gulf Coast’s rivers, bayous and streams and now designs and plans waterfront projects across the Southeast.
TOTAL QUALITY LOGISTICS
Total Quality Logistics offers 15 modes of material shipping services including truck, air, ocean and intermodal transport. Founded in 1997 in Cincinnati, TQL is one of the largest freight brokerage firms in North America. With a network of more than 130,000 carriers, the company moves 3 million loads of freight annually, including shipments to Canada and Mexico. More than 10,000 employees work in 56 offices throughout the U.S. Alabama locations are in Birmingham and Spanish Fort.
WARREN AVERETT
The sixth-largest CPA firm in the Southeast has more than 800 employees in 15 offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas and the Cayman Islands, with operations throughout the Southeast. The firm has seven locations in Alabama. Core services include traditional accounting and financial services for businesses, corporate advisory solutions and strategies, risk assessments, IT security, business software, backup disaster recovery solutions, HR assistance, financial and retirement planning, investment planning and estate services for individuals. Forbes listed it among America’s Best Tax Firms and Best Accounting firms for 2022. Warren Averett celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
TOP WINNER AMONG SMALL-TO-MEDIUM COMPANIES
SWAGELOK (BIRMINGHAM)
As the top winner in the small-to-medium category, Swagelok Alabama|Central & South Florida|West Tennessee, headquartered in Birmingham, is a sales and service center led by its president, Patrick Werrlein.
It is the company’s first time competing in the contest, says Werrlein, who purchased the Birmingham business just over five years ago.
“We spent a significant amount of time, blood, sweat and tears to get to the point where we’re a cultural strong company and confident to participate in ‘Best Companies to Work For,’” he says.
Swagelok Alabama’s parent company is a global enterprise that designs and manufactures fittings, valves and other fluid system products for industries like aerospace, chemical/refining, semiconductor, power and energy transition.
Swagelok Alabama employs 45 team members and recently launched a new initiative where Werrlein meets with up to six team members at a time for lunch and conversation, with no managers present. These lunches give him the opportunity to query team members and get their honest feedback on how connected and empowered they feel within the organization.
“That’s important to me because I need to know where the needs are in the organization,” he says.
Also in the last year, he says, he and the director of HR implemented a new program around career mapping. The process involves Werrlein and the HR director conversing with each team member to learn more about their backgrounds, talents, ambitions and career aspirations. With that information, they work with each individual to map out a plan designed to help the team member reach their career goals.
“And when we interview someone, we ask them what they want to do and let them know that it’s OK if what they aspire to do is outside of anything that we could offer here locally. But regardless, we’re going to do all we can to get them there,” he says.
Swagelok also strives to promote talent from within the company, he says.
“We’ve seen significant growth in the last five years and, in every case so far, we’ve promoted from within as we created new roles,” he says.
The company’s managers also acknowledge team members’ milestones and achievements during the monthly business update meetings, where the entire organization attends. The meetings start with people recognitions; birthdays, anniversaries and what Werrlein calls “extraordinary behaviors” where team members acknowledge incredible work from their peers. Werrlein also likes penning handwritten notes and leaving them on team members’ desks to express his appreciation for a job well done.
“We’re a company that very much appreciates each other. The best way to demonstrate that is to just thank them in the moment and not wait,” he says.
The kindness even extends to team members’ children. Those ages 18 and younger get a birthday card every year from the company along with a handwritten note from Werrlein and a gift card, he says.
Like many companies, Swagelok also offers its employees full benefits, including a 401k matching plan and a tuition reimbursement program for anyone who wants to further their education.
Besides the benefits package, team members also have fun. They have meals together at Christmas and participate in team-building events throughout the year.
But Werrlein says the team loves spontaneous special events, too, such as an ice cream truck showing up on the premises.
One particular meeting is a no-miss opportunity for Werrlein. Every Friday at 1:30, he and the entire Birmingham team gather in a hallway for a putting competition. It is the one event each week that brings all departments together for fellowship and friendly competition, he says.
“I think that summarizes culturally how we operate as an organization. A very serious company that likes to have fun, and we can do that because we have great people.”
RUNNERS-UP AMONG SMALL-TO-MEDIUM COMPANIES
THE AMERICAN EQUITY UNDERWRITERS
For more than 20 years, the American Equity Underwriters has been providing United States Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (USL&H) coverage to waterfront employers. USL&H is a federal workers compensation law that covers maritime workers. More than 1,500 waterfront employers use American Equity Underwriters to handle their USL&H needs. As the program administrator for the American Longshore Mutual Association, the company provides claims, loss control and underwriting services to its members. The firm has a clear focus on its niche customer and has helped make safety a priority to those waterfront employers. As such, it enjoys a 97.8% member retention rate.
BYARS|WRIGHT INSURANCE
Founded in 1946, Byars|Wright provides commercial and personal insurance, as well as excellent service. The company has six locations across central Alabama: Gardendale, Alabaster, Jasper, Cullman, Decatur and Birmingham. The agency oversees many companies’ insurance needs across the country. Byars|Wright has nearly 60 employees and boasts risk management services as well as an employee benefits division. The company focuses on relationship building with its clients, with an emphasis on earning trust and delivering on promises. Byars|Wright has made our list seven years running.
CROW SHIELDS BAILEY
Crow Shields Bailey is headquartered in Mobile with additional offices in Gulf Shores and Daphne. The company was founded in 1986 and offers its clients accounting, tax and consulting services. More than 40 professionals work at this full-service accounting firm that takes pride in giving time and resources back to civic and charitable causes. Some services provided include auditing, taxation and estate planning, personal consulting, business valuations and payroll services. In 2016, Crow Shields Bailey hosted its first IMAGINE Leadership Conference for college sophomores and juniors. The two-day conference taught the rising generation of accounting professionals key elements of leadership, such as values, vision and voice.
FIRST METRO BANK
Headquartered in Muscle Shoals, First Metro Bank has 10 locations in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale and Limestone counties. “Our motto is ‘Bank with a Neighbor,’ and that is how we conduct business daily,” says Georgia Claire Varble, director of market development at First Metro. “We help our neighbors raise families, open businesses and plan for the future, offering top-quality digital banking products paired with unmatched hometown service.” First Metro offers a generous benefits package and allows flexible work schedules for working parents and caregivers. Employees also have ample opportunities to improve their professional skill sets through industry-certified training programs. Annual events include Employee Appreciation Week and an employee Christmas breakfast.
FITE BUILDING COMPANY
Established in 1976, Fite Building Company of Decatur is a full-service general contracting and construction management firm serving clients in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. “As our company has grown, we have focused on the importance of our people, encouraging them and providing incentives to expand their knowledge base and skill level,” says President and CEO Jack Fite. “We want a place where people have fun and want to come to work every day.” To encourage that atmosphere, Fite hosts company activities and team-building projects that benefit the community. The company provides a benefits package, focuses on promotion from within, and offers employees opportunities to volunteer in the community.
GUARDIAN CREDIT UNION
This financial institution originally served those in the Alabama National Guard and their families. Founded in 1958, it began by offering savings and loan accounts to those service members. Guardian now operates as a full-service institution, offering its services to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in the 13 counties it serves. The credit union has branch locations across Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Russell and Tallapoosa counties. With 240 employees, Guardian provides a wide variety of personal loan types and savings accounts, as well as wealth management, checking and supplemental insurance through Aflac.
KASSOUF & CO.
Founded in 1931, Kassouf is a public accounting and consulting firm with more than 80 employees. The firm is headquartered in Birmingham and offers services in the areas of tax, assurance, financial services, business consulting, litigation support, wealth advisory, estate planning and administration, employer benefit and human resource consulting services. Kassouf clients represent a wide range of industries, including health care, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, construction and non-profit.
LEAGUE OF SOUTHEASTERN CREDIT UNIONS
The League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU) represents 323 credit unions across Alabama, Florida and Georgia. LSCU was formed in 2009 through the consolidation of the Alabama Credit Union League and the Florida Credit Union League, with the Georgia Credit Union League joining in 2019. Credit unions that belong to LSCU total more than 10.3 million members and manage more than $120 billion in assets. The company has 117 employees, 53 of whom are in Alabama. LSCU provides a wide range of services including advocacy and regulatory information; education and training; cooperative initiatives (including financial education outreach); media relations and information; and business solutions.
LEGACY COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Legacy Community Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution that has served the greater Birmingham metropolitan area since 1955. Legacy is the official credit union of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and has a rich history of working with academic and medical institutions in the area. Its service area includes Shelby, Blount, St. Clair, Walker, Chilton and Bibb counties. Legacy offers its employees competitive pay, two retirement plans, a robust health insurance plan and generous time off. “Training is a high priority for Legacy,” says Jenna Floore, assistant vice president of human resources. “Many of our managers have worked their way up from entry-level positions.”
NXTSOFT
After being in business for more than 25 years, NXTsoft has become a market leader in secure, comprehensive and complete workflow application programming interface (API) connectivity, connecting financial technology companies to banks and credit unions throughout the United States. APIs allow two applications to communicate with each other using a series of requests and responses. For example, a personal finance budgeting app could use an API to connect to a user’s bank and retrieve balance information. Headquartered in Birmingham, NXTsoft has 122 U.S. employees, 54 of whom are in Alabama. NXTsoft’s other solutions include data analytics, data management and data migration.
PRITCHETT-MOORE INSURANCE INC.
Founded in 1934, Tuscaloosa-based Pritchett-Moore Insurance Inc. (PMII) is an independent insurance agency whose primary focus is providing property and casualty coverage for West Alabama. In July, PMII announced a merger with Birmingham-based Byars|Wright Insurance, which resulted in the formation of the Where Relationships Matter Group LLC. Company policies that make it a great place to work include a family-oriented focus, says Human Resources Director Chanda Fikes. Pritchett-Moore offers a great benefits package, opportunities for employee advancement and opportunities to celebrate occasions with other staff members.
ROBERTS BROTHERS INC.
Founded in 1946 by brothers John and David Roberts, this Mobile-based real estate company has offices in Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Orange Beach and Daphne and specializes in selling residential and vacation properties throughout South Alabama. Roberts Brothers strives to create a fun, family-oriented environment for its employees, offering a company-wide cruise and picnic, and it invites real estate experts to motivate and educate their employees. “The honor of being recognized a fourth year in a row as one of the best companies to work for in Alabama is as rewarding as it was the first time,” says Roberts Brothers President Teresa Williamson. “The people in our organization are truly our best asset. Our company culture of deliberately living and giving without hesitation as life happens isn’t a slogan, it’s a belief that guides our decisions and drives our vision.”
SENSIGREEN HEATING & AIR
Opelika-based Sensigreen Heating & Air started in 2007 as a spray foam insulation company and has expanded into a full-service HVAC contractor and insulation company that’s committed to providing a rewarding environment for its employees, says CEO Justin Quinn. “We are a motivated company backed by a family atmosphere that puts our customers first and strives to make work as fun as possible. We provide competitive pay and streamline career paths for all so that everyone has a chance to advance if they put the work in.” The company recognizes and rewards outstanding employees and enjoys helping them “buy their first houses, get married and start families as they have been employed at Sensigreen.”
SPOC AUTOMATION
SPOC manufactures automation technology for the oil and gas industry. Its products help customers automate processes in artificial lift and water handling, as well as vapor recovery and gas compression. Through innovative and easy-to-implement technologies that boost efficiency and maximize production, SPOC products deliver significant return on investment. SPOC technology also helps its customers reduce energy consumption and minimize their environmental footprints through improved efficiency and productivity. Founded at the turn of the millennium, SPOC has 100 employees and is headquartered in Trussville.
STEADPOINT
Under the SteadPoint umbrella are SteadPoint Insurance Group, SteadPoint Risk Management and SteadPoint Insurance Co. SteadPoint Insurance Group is a general agency and underwriter focusing solely on worker’s compensation insurance. SteadPoint Insurance Co. has written more than $53 million of worker’s compensation premiums. SteadPoint boasts more than 100 years of cumulative underwriting experience and has streamlined its process of risk analysis. The agency works with many industries, including construction, retail and hospitality. Headquartered in Birmingham, SteadPoint was founded in 2004 and employs 40 professionals.
UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE
This top-rated shopping destination started out in 1970 when founder Doyle Owens borrowed a pickup truck and $300 and drove to Washington, D.C. to purchase the first load of unclaimed baggage. Today, the business attracts more than one million customers each year. The company offers competitive wages, generous benefits, flexible scheduling and opportunities for advancement, says Jennifer Kritner, vice president of retail and company culture. The company hosts monthly Unclaimed Baggage Academy sessions, interactive experiences that provide opportunities for employees to connect with the company brand and values in meaningful ways. The company also has a charitable foundation, Reclaimed for Good, which gives employees an opportunity to volunteer.
UNITED BANK
Founded in 1904, United Bank in Atmore got its start serving farm families. Today, the bank has more than 20 locations in South Alabama and Northwest Florida. At the heart of their mission is having a positive impact on the communities they serve. Last year, United Bank team members volunteered 5,182 hours; filed 153 tax returns through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program; hosted financial education workshops; provided tornado relief to city employees in Pelham; and supplied nearly 3,000 pounds of produce for local food pantries. United Bank offers an employee stock ownership plan, professional development options and a wellness rewards program.
WHITE-SPUNNER CONSTRUCTION
White-Spunner Construction is headquartered in Mobile and has 76 employees. Founded in 1981, White-Spunner has completed more than $4 billion worth of construction while remaining debt free. The company offers general contracting, design-build and construction management services to its clients. The organization has grown from smaller commercial projects focusing on the Gulf Coast region to larger and more complex projects across the entire Southeast. With licensing in more than 25 states, White-Spunner has worked on commercial, retail, grocery, municipal/institutional, multifamily, industrial, educational, health care projects and more.
WILKINS MILLER
Wilkins Miller encourages its clients to reach higher financial goals with a team full of certified accountants, business analysts, consultants and advisors. The company is the largest accounting and consulting firm in the Mobile area, with locations in Mobile and Fairhope. Wilkins Miller has been providing audit, accounting, tax and consulting services for more than 50 years to companies across a wide variety of industries — including aerospace, healthcare, real estate and construction. The firm has more than 70 employees who work proactively to recognize and anticipate opportunities to add value to their clients’ businesses.
Gail Allyn Short, Crystal Castle, Katherine MacGilvray and Deborah Storey contributed to this report.
