what’ s working washington excellence awards
finalists: employer of the year
The Employer of the Year Award recognizes a Washington employer that drives job creation, retention, and a thriving workplace through innovative benefits and compensation. winner: pilkey hopping & ekberg insurance, where people come first.“ We don’ t just talk about valuing our people— we put ourselves in their shoes, listen to their needs and implement accordingly,” the company said.
Founded in 1896, the Tacoma-based agency lives its values of integrity, ownership, and excellence.
New hires get four weeks of PTO. Flexible schedules support work-life balance, and a wellness program adds extra time off for participation. The result? Long-term loyalty. Nearly 25 % of staff have stayed 15 + years; some retired after 30 years.
Each employee meets with their manager twice a year to set goals— from earning credentials to improving balance— and building a six-month plan together.
• Knife River Prestress, Newman Lake, invests in people and progress. Through engineering internships, sustainability leadership, and hands-on mentorship, it prepares future technicians to build a cleaner, stronger concrete industry.
• Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Seyfarth’ s Seattle office blends global reach with local connections. The legal firm fosters innovation, inclusion and excellence while supporting iconic brands and building a collaborative, community-driven workplace.
entrepreneur business of the year
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors a Washington business under five years old that has made a significant impact in its industry. winner: side piece kitchen, where a $ 2,000 payday loan and a start as a takeout kitchen in Tacoma grew to a million-dollar business. The ingredients? Great people cooking up great food, crowdfunding, social media and strong community support.
The founders say,“ We’ re loud, proud, and built from scratch.” Bold ethics help to cook up their scratch-made biscuit sandwiches and wild cheesecakes.
Employees— now 12 of them— get $ 20 + starting pay, full benefits, and a radically inclusive workplace. As a Latino and woman-owned business, they’ ve redefined what a restaurant can be— where flavor, equity, and activism thrive together. finalists:
• NSA Motors, based in Bellevue, helps first-time buyers, families, and immigrants find safe, affordable vehicles through a faster, fairer car-buying experience.
• TechService LLC is a Vancouver-based family-run, multilingual appliance repair business that earns trust through fast, honest repairs and genuine care for every customer. winter 2026 29