washington business
Employer of the Year
Recognizing an employer who has implemented innovative job retention, creation, benefits and / or compensation plans that foster a thriving work environment. winner of the employer of the year award
Energy Northwest, Richland Founded: 1957 Number of employees: Approximately 1,100, all in Washington
Embodying the award( Employer of the Year): Energy Northwest is committed to excellence in performance fostered by strong community partnerships to select and retain the right people. In its pursuit to achieve and sustain excellence in performance, Energy Northwest adopted an Excellence Model as a foundation for how it does business.
Selecting and retaining the right people not only ensures that each employee has the right skills, knowledge and attributes required for their job, but it also builds appreciation for workforce diversity. Energy Northwest has established lasting partnerships with multiple community organizations to support this principal for the organization.
About the company: Formed by the Washington State Legislature, Energy Northwest is a joint action agency representing the convergence of small and big public power. Its consortium of 27 public utility districts and municipalities across Washington takes advantage of economies of scale and shared services to boost efficiency and effectiveness, all to the greater cost benefit of more than 1.5 million public power customers. The agency directly owns and operates the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant, Nine Canyon Wind Project, Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project, and White Bluffs Solar Station, all of which produce clean-air, at-cost energy for the Northwest.
Notable contributions to your community and the state: In 2016, the Bonneville Power Administration credited Energy Northwest’ s cost and budget reductions for directly contributing to downward pressure on customer electricity rates. Regional debt cooperation with Bonneville, combined with industry-low-cost nuclear fuel purchases and reduced operations and maintenance budgets, will contribute more than $ 2.2 billion in regional energy savings between 2012 and 2023. This is all within the context of $ 4.4 million paid in privilege taxes this year to the state of Washington— money that goes directly toward supporting our schools, fire and library districts, and other city and county services.
Energy Northwest employees directly support programs designed to improve the health and welfare of their surrounding communities, to include the Benton and Franklin Head Start for children of low-income families, March of Dimes, United Way, Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, the Red Cross,
Junior Achievement, Columbia Basin College’ s Math, Engineering & Service Achievement program, in addition to many other civic and community contributions.
What the judges said:“ Very specialized field. They know they have to be part of the solution to‘ closing the gap,’ partnering with others to achieve results... A very innovative, comprehensive commitment to the military and to veterans for talent recruitment and retention... Excellent employee benefits.”
Quote:“ This award reflects the very hard work accomplished by our multi-disciplined employee engagement team, our Human Resources department, and at ground level, every one of our employees who make Energy Northwest a fulfilling place to work. Providing value for the region is itself rewarding, but when you can do so as part of a team that recognizes your contributions through a diversity of employeefocused programs, that’ s even better.”— Brent Ridge, vice president for Corporate Services and CFO, Energy Northwest
Website: www. energy-northwest. com
other finalists for Employer of the Year
Phillips 66, Ferndale
While its employee benefits are comprehensive, Phillips 66 goes beyond that to provide generous support to its employees. Phillips 66 facilitates on-the-job mentoring and pays up to $ 8,500 per year for employees to pursue higher education. It matches employee charitable donations dollar-for-dollar up to $ 15,000 a year. Its refinery has an on-site clinic, 24-hour fitness facility and employee garden for veggies and flowers.
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Pullman
After listening to the needs of its employee-owners, the SEL Family Center was born. It has a free full-service medical clinic, a free workout facility with personal trainers, and an on-site childcare center. That’ s just one benefit of working at a 100 percent employee-owned company, where employees receive, at no cost, an allocation of SEL stock. SEL is regularly listed among America’ s best workplaces.
40 association of washington business