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Charleston Business

TWP Q+A Company Leaders Discuss Culture, Work/Life Balance

May 24, 2023 12:25PM ● By Donna Isbell Walker

Q. How would you describe your company’s workplace culture?

Jason Burbage, president, National Land Realty: We are a mission-focused organization. We exist to make things grow. Our brokers and agents focus on growing opportunities for their clients to capitalize on. Our support team focuses on creating and growing opportunities for our sales team to use. We invest in and grow leaders. We love what we do. We’re an organization of people who love land. We get to sell land as a way to share our love of the outdoors with others.

Angela Welch, CMO, Creative Builders Inc: Creative Builders has a unique culture where they are not only co-workers but are family. We care for each other and empower each other to grow and succeed. This follows the blueprint and foundation for our success as set by our late founder William H. “Billy” McCauley’s principles and values. As part of our culture and ethical practices, we are ALL about doing the “right thing” when it comes to co-workers, clients, and business partners.

Lee Bressan, communications manager, BoomTown: Our leadership team is on a crusade to foster flexibility, innovation, and ample opportunity for growth. We are built on a set of values that are at the core of everything we do. One of these is to Create Amazing Experiences, and that doesn’t just apply to our product. We’re dedicated to driving connections and improved quality of life for our employees, our clients, and our communities. Together, we’re building the future of real estate.

Tara Kennedy, firm administrator, Stokes & Company, CPAs: We understand that a great culture isn’t a “set it and forget it” type thing. The leadership team regularly invests time and resources in keeping the team engaged and happy. We do this in various ways, such as hand-delivering treats to each staff member for employee appreciation day, birthday and anniversary celebrations, impromptu hot dog picnic lunches because it’s a beautiful spring day, or even hosting big team building events like escape rooms or laser tag.

Jessica Donan, Greenville Office Managing Partner, US Central Mobility Assurance Leader, EY (Ernst & Young LLP): At EY, we strive to cultivate an environment where all of our people can belong and thrive. We want our people to feel supported, seen, heard, and treated with respect and care.

Melvin Wells, CEO, Sunny Days Entertainment, LLC: It is a culture that fosters team work, opportunity and growth.

Todd Jessup, president, FLEXSPACE: FLEXSPACE’s culture starts with our people, and we are committed to ensuring our environment allows each individual to work to their greatest potential. Our success is directly derived from taking the road less traveled. We believe that our diverse strengths and talents will impact positive change for others. And, by embracing humility and recognizing the power of collaboration, we set out to achieve the unthinkable.

Q. What does work/life balance look like at your company?

Angela Welch, CMO, Creative Builders Inc: As part of our core values and culture, healthy, lasting relationships are the foundation of a successful life and career. These healthy relationships start at home and then carry into the workplace, so having balance is essential. We are always encouraged to ensure we take care of ourselves and our families first and foremost.

Steve Krozer, founder/CEO, iTrust Wellness Group: iTrust Wellness Group believes in a healthy work/life balance, promoting use of paid time off and offering adjusted schedule for admin and providers.

Anna Ramsey, associate, team member engagement, HITT Contracting: HITT Contracting offers a number of benefits and programs that encourage work/life balance. Because construction can be a high-stress field and safety is of the utmost importance, we encourage our team members to strike the right balance to bring their full selves to work each day and create environments where all can feel welcome and thrive safely. One vital program is designed for the team members who work on jobsites every day. For eligible site operations team members, we offer additional paid leave by way of a four-, eight-, or 12-week sabbatical after 15, 20, or 25 years of continuous service to the company. The goal of this program is to reward these hardworking team members with time to refresh and renew, which in turn helps increase effectiveness, creativity, and productivity.

Melvin Wells, CEO, Sunny Days Entertainment, LLC: We insist people use their PTO and really unplug. We try hard to make sure the work load is spread out among stakeholders.

Q. How does your company support professional development?

Angela Welch, CMO, Creative Builders Inc: CBI does a great job of empowering our people and giving them the tools for success. If a co-worker wants to move up in the company and they show the drive and ambition to do so, we support them in achieving that goal. We like to help with leadership training and other training for the necessary skills to help them move and grow.

Jessica Donan, Greenville Office Managing Partner, US Central Mobility Assurance Leader, EY (Ernst & Young LLP): We want to help our people learn and grow and develop future-focused skills that will propel them and our organization into the future. This includes programs like Pathway to Purpose and our accredited EY degrees in collaboration with Hult International Business School.

Todd Jessup, president, FLEXSPACE: At our heart, we are a team of entrepreneurs who treat the business as our own. We are encouraged to seek out resources, programs, and educational tracks to help us stay creative, curious and delivering bold ideas.

Chad Dowdy, managing director, Northwestern Mutual: Northwestern Mutual provides us with an industry-leading growth and development framework. As advisers, we have continuous access to mentors, training sessions, and designation opportunities to help us meet our goals. We are committed to equity and building our inclusive team of advisers to align with the diversity of our clients.

Vincent Delie, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, FNB Corporation: We view investments in our team as investments in our future and make sure that all our employees can grow their careers with FNB. Along with leadership development for high-performing employees, we provide a wide array of learning and growth opportunities, including networking events, mentoring and tuition reimbursement for continuing education.

Q. What are your company’s core values?

Christine McDonough, director of communications, Marsh McLennan Agency: Integrity, collaboration, passion, innovation, accountability.

Vincent Delie, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, FNB Corporation: FNB’s core values provide our work with real purpose. We are driven by our commitment to integrity and honor, excellence and passion, teamwork and collaboration, innovation and creativity and leadership and recognition.

Steve Krozer, founder/CEO, iTrust Wellness Group: The iTrust Difference: Innovation, Transparency, Results, Unity, Support, Trust.

Chad Dowdy, managing director, Northwestern Mutual: We are catalysts that enrich and impact our community by delivering lifetimes of financial security. We help people make great decisions with their money and resources to live securely. Courage, growth, responsibility, family and integrity are our core values.

Tara Kennedy, firm administrator, Stokes & Company, CPAs: We strive to live and breathe our core values both personally and professionally. Our core values are proudly displayed on a wall in our main office. The easy to remember acronym is E.P.P.I.C. — Excellence, Professionalism, Proactivity, Integrity, and Collaboration.

Q. Will you be hiring employees in 2023? If so, what types of positions will you have open?

Jason Burbage, president, National Land Realty: In 2023 we are going to be heavily recruiting across the country for land brokers and agents who fit our culture.

Melvin Wells, CEO, Sunny Days Entertainment, LLC: Yes! We are looking to hire new associates in our warehouse, sales, marketing, and graphics departments.

Christine McDonough, director of communications, Marsh McLennan Agency: Yes, Marsh McLennan Agency is looking for talented candidates with backgrounds in the following industries: business insurance, employee health and benefits, retirement services, and private client services.

Ann Benfield, marketing coordinator, Takeuchi: We will have many positions available in 2023. Warehouse Material Handler, Receiving Clerk, Paint Prep, Quality Inspectors, and more.

Steve Krozer, founder/CEO, iTrust Wellness Group: As No. 4 of the South Carolina Fastest Growing Companies, iTrust will have positions available on our website as we continue to grow. We are currently hiring for certified medical assistants and a billing assistant.

Vincent Delie, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, FNB Corporation: We are very deliberate about recruiting professionals who know our markets and are a fit with our culture and values. As we continue to enhance our presence in South Carolina, we always are looking for enthusiastic, engaged local talent to join our team — whether that is on the front-line serving our consumer and business clients or in one of the many departments who support our operations and success. Our current openings always can be found at fnb-online.com/careers.