Choice Employers honored at annual event

The top Ozarks companies based on benefits and culture were honored during Springfield Business Journal's Choice Employers event held last night at Hilton Garden Inn.

During the event, 12 companies and nine individuals were recognized. Companies were rated on a numerical scale in the areas of incentives, family friendliness, people development and corporate culture. Companies are divided into four categories: 5 to 24 employees, 25 to 100 employees, 101 to 300 employees, and 301+ employees. The scores were verified by the Missouri State University Small Business and Technology Development Center.

The No. 1 company in the 5- to 24-employee category was Paragon Architecture Inc., trailed by No. 2-ranked Springfield Nephrology Associates Inc. and No. 3 company H Design Group LLC.

Placing first in the 25- to 100-employee category was UMB Bank, followed by Ollis & Co. and GeoEngineers Inc. Though Ollis & Co. and GeoEngineers had tying scores, Ollis & Co. was ranked second based on two tie-breaking questions.

Commerce Bank led the 101- to 300-employee category, with Guaranty Bank placing second and College of the Ozarks ranking third.

For the 301-plus employee category, CoxHealth ranked No. 1, followed by Mercy Hospital Springfield at No. 2 and JPMorgan Chase & Co. at No. 3.

By category, honorees for the individual awards, which are not ranked, are:

• Community Involvement Champion – Stephen Kleinsmith of Nixa Public Schools, Michelle Lindsey of Ozark Public Schools and Chuck Renner of Advantage Therapy LLC;
• Human Resources Professional – Parker McKenna of Springfield Public Schools, Eric Maxwell of CoxHealth and Kathy Whitworth of Nixa Public Schools; and
• Employee of the Year – Vicki Good of CoxHealth, Matt Morrison of Nowata Printing Co. and Jason Smith of Environmental Works Inc.

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