2023 Winner - Fidelity Investments

Fidelity cares about their employees, it’s something they show everyday through their $15,000 Student Loan Assistance Program, the organic farm that grows cafeteria food, extended parental leave time, fertility and adoption assistance, and onsite gyms, walking trails, bikes, yoga, games, basketball, baseball, ultimate frisbee, and of course - pickleball.

2022 Winner - Currier Museum of Art

2021 Winner

Friendly Pets is a local family-owned pet store with locations in Lee, Exeter, and Bedford, New Hampshire. Friendly Pets strives to give an extremely high level of service to guests and staff. As a Company made up of 99% of employees under 40 years old, they provide a young person-friendly workspace by providing extensive training, support professionally and personally, professional development, and more. They do their part to care for all animals in New Hampshire by purchasing animals from local breeders, accepting surrenders from owners, and partnering with rescues. Friendly Pets strives to provide guests with a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable shopping experience so they can extend and enjoy the lives of their furry, scaly and feathered friends.

2020 Winner

GYK Antler is an integrated marketing company of creative entrepreneurs who believe the most impactful ideas happen at the intersection of strategy, creative, and media. A fiercely independent agency, GYK has spent decades delivering excellence to its clients and putting the growth and success of its people first. Their executive and HR team focuses on setting their people up for success from day one through a robust week-long onboarding program, meeting with department heads and executive team leaders, and being paired with a work “buddy.” Staff is encouraged to take advantage of its flexible work culture – working remotely or from another office. The annual Wellness Week includes walking and stairs challenges and healthy breakfasts — and bringing in speakers to host sessions based on a variety of interests. GYK hosts weekly all-hands meetings centered around our people and having fun. They support causes of significance to employees — from the Special Olympics of NH, to company blood drives, supporting the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, or crafting cards for patients at local hospitals. The “Culture Club” team members continuously offer new ideas for enhancing the employee experience. GYK Antler feeds its employees both literally and figuratively, from stocking kitchens to fostering a flexible work culture that ensures people aren’t biting off more than they can chew. In a fast-moving industry with a reputation for employee burnout, GYK Antler leaders emphasize balance and personal accountability when staffers work remotely, knowing that when you give employees more freedom and flexibility, they’ll give you their very best in return. Find their employment opportunities here.

2019 Winners

C&S Wholesale Grocers is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. and the industry leader in supply chain innovation. In 2018, the company was named by Forbes as the 10th largest privately held company in the United States. C&S has built a dynamic year round internship program through partnerships with Keene State College and Franklin Pierce offering internships and co-operative experiences. Employees are encouraged to think broadly and to ask questions to develop understanding around the bigger picture and continuous improvement. C&S offers a health/dental/vision insurance options, life, accident, and pet insurance are also available to employees. C&S offers paid holidays, sick time and vacation time; vacation time increases over time based on tenure with the company. The company offers tuition reimbursement that resets each year after the first year of employment and offers a 401k match for employees that are contributing toward their 401k. The company also pays employees while they are participating in community initiatives organized by the company. Find their employment opportunities here.

One of Mainstay Technologies‘ core values is “uncompromising commitment to excellence.” In action, that means that they are miserable when their clients are only moderately happy with Mainstay as their IT or Information Security department. They design roles that provide room for creativity and “ownership” of the work they do. Each job role should be enjoyable and life giving to the human being who is in that role, and that focus on human flourishing is embedded with every new role created. Recognizing that above market rate pay will bring exceptional individuals, Mainstay also offers PTO, flextime and sabbaticals, and a pet-friendly and child-friendly workplace. “Mainstay University” holds a plethora of training oriented towards both growth within a specific field, and intentional training specific to Mainstay. They provide a dedicated week of training after 3 years, reimbursement for select college classes, and certification reimbursement and bonuses. Find their employment opportunities here.

BerryDunn is one of the largest independent CPA & management consulting firms in New England. They are ranked the 7th fastest-growing firm by Accounting Today. They build relationships with colleges to develop internship and staff-level opportunities. They offer significant community involvement, helping their employees know that BerryDunn cares about their hometowns as much as their employees do. They give back to the local community through food and clothing drives, soup kitchens, gardening, building, and a variety of United Way volunteer hours. The company supports team members who want to serve as Board and Committee members for charitable organizations throughout the state, including the Adult Learning Center, Girls at Work, Granite United Way, High Hopes Foundation of NH, and more. BerryDunn’s comprehensive development methodology includes OJT, a formal mentoring program where new hires are partnered with an in-practice/department co-employee who serves as a learning partner for onboarding questions within the practice for the first 6-12 months. The focus point for mentor relationship is on the longer-term career for the employee. BerryDunn also allows $6,000 annually for tuition reimbursement for job- or career-related course work and has a robust alternative work schedule benefit. Find their employment opportunities here.

2018 Winners

Founded in 1984 as a small carpet co-op, CCA Global Partners has grown to 15 divisions including lighting, bike retail, nonprofits and childcare. CCA Global Partners supports the local, family-owned businesses that add color to their cities and towns. One program, a competition called “The Pitch” (similar to “Shark Tank”), encourages employees to contribute to the overall success of the cooperative regardless of their age or experience, to pitch an innovation that would benefit CCA members. They offer free coffee and fresh fruit in the office every day, a free gym membership at Fit Lab, and yoga classes in the office on Thursday. And they have a strong paid internship program, spearheaded by their Chairman/CEO, Howard Brodsky, with between 8 – 10 interns per summer. Their nominator stated that “at CCA, everyone’s voice is heard and valued. in fact, the ideas put forth by two former CCA interns, have since become two of the 15 divisions of the company!” Find their employment opportunities here.

CoreMedical Group’s mission statement revolves around connecting people, improving lives, and giving back. Giving back to the community is one major mission as a company. They strive to support employees in their own personal endeavors to give back – donating to charitable events employees participate in and providing PTO hours to put towards volunteering. The Manchester campus has a game room with poker table, shuffleboard, PacMan, or PlayStation under the disco ball. They provide employees with a variety of development opportunities – employees interested in investing in professional development training can use $1,000 per year to put towards courses that relate to their position in the company. Employees that hit their goals are invited on the week long Club CoreMed all-inclusive, all expenses paid vacation! Find their employment opportunities here.

In 2017, Freedom Energy Logistics was named the 6th fastest-growing family business in the state by Business New Hampshire Magazine. They were also named to Inc. Magazine’s 5000 list for fastest-growing companies in America for the last two years. With a strong commitment to corporate responsibility, they encourage their people to get involved in the community. They sponsor “time/talent/treasure” contributions and serve on various New Hampshire boards and committees. They call upon their future colleagues to arrange an evening gathering in various New Hampshire downtowns such as Portsmouth or Manchester. They also share best practices for finding good apartments and potential roommates in the city. The “FEL family” enjoys company movie nights, chili cook-offs, shuffleboard/cornhole tournaments, and summer BBQs, to family Fridays, fishing outings, softball and basketball teams, bingo nights, and an epic Christmas party. Find their employment opportunities here.

2017 Winners

FoodState cherishes its employees and offers benefits such as 24 hours of volunteer paid time off, bowling parties, movie nights, trips to the White Mountains, an internal leadership training program, tuition reimbursement, and wellness benefits including free and subsidized healthy snacks, and free and discounted products. Their nominator said, “without a doubt, it is our employees that distinguish FoodState!” Find their employment opportunities here.

Merchants Fleet recognizes that taking care of and supporting its employees is important to retaining them. Some of their benefits include a breakfast bar, reimbursement for fruits and vegetables bought, an internal training program called “Merchants University” and an education assistance program for employees to take college classes. Find their employment opportunities here.

TIBCO Software said its people really are the crown jewel of what has made the company so successful. Their benefits include a quarterly “People’s Choice Award” where the winner gets a $500 travel voucher, $500 spending money and a front row parking space at their office in the Manchester Millyard. They also host a highly competitive video game tournament (with a giant goomba trophy) and have designed their internship program to build the employee’s skills along with the interns. Find their employment opportunities here.

2016 Winners

Appcast is working to “revolutionize the recruitment industry” by linking employers with potential candidates through online tracking systems and management tools. With revenue of $350,000 in 2014, the company is experiencing exponential growth with anticipated revenue of $8 million for 2016.

The team may not have set office hours, though they are dedicated to going above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done. Free coffee, a stocked fridge, a foosball table, and a catered company lunch every Friday contribute to Appcast’s fun office culture. Yet it’s their mentorship program, transparency, and wellness package that the judges said made them “want to work there.” Find their employment opportunities here.

With a belief that “all people should love their jobs,” Digital Prospectors maintains the type of culture that guarantees their employees do too. Company perks include a flexible schedule, 1.5-hour lunches (allowing time for exercise or appointments to ensure more family time at night), 100% company-paid health benefits, tuition reimbursement, company-sponsored co-ed sports teams, birthdays off, and an employee lounge with TVs, gaming and foosball. After reading the nomination with all of this and more, the judges mentioned they were left with a “warm fuzzy feeling.” And as one employee statement read, “you wish you worked here.” Find their employment opportunities here.

As one of only six Certified B Corporations in New Hampshire, ReVision Energy helps homeowners, businesses, and institutions in the state transition to solar energy. An impressive number of their employees are under 40 years of age, including the management team and 78% of their workforce.

They provide a competitive benefits package that includes employer-paid health insurance, flexible workweeks, paid holidays, and a 401(k) with a company match. And it doesn’t stop there! Additional perks are “always approved time off”, 12 weeks of maternity/paternity leave to new parents, tie-dye Thursdays, and a dog-friendly office environment. Find their employment opportunities here.

2015 Winners

Cranmore Mountain Resort, based in North Conway, has invested over $9 million in improvements in the last five years, and has added numerous entry-level jobs. In addition to engaging their staff in charity and community events and providing several traditional benefits, all employees receive a season pass for skiing or snowboarding, plus season passes for their dependents or one guest, discounts at other New England resorts, complimentary lessons and rental equipment, discounts at local sports retailers, and much more.

In working to retain young talent, Cranmore is working with their local high school’s Career & Technical Education program to provide students with exposure to the resort industry. One of their employees said, “It is pretty wonderful and rare to work at a place that literally sells fun! Work doesn’t seem like work when you call it home.” Find their employment opportunities here.

Red River, an information technology solutions company based in Claremont, was founded on the core values of hard work and honesty. To find the balance of hard work and promoting a “cool” culture, Red River offers annual paper airplane flying contests, bake-off and cook-off events, blue jean Fridays, birthday cupcake celebrations, scavenger hunts and 16 hours of paid community service time. Their nomination said “Our employees rock out to Pandora playing throughout the office every day,” and as one employee stated, “The people really make the company the cool place it is.” Find their employment opportunities here.

Single Digits, located in Bedford, is a provider of high-speed Internet access management and support. Ranked in 2008 as one of Inc. Magazine’s 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies, Single Digits continues to experience growth as displayed from a recent acquisition; reinforcing a positive office environment is crucial to a company’s success.

Company perks include a running club and yoga Fridays, bonuses, gift cards, overnight stays at NH resorts for employee motivation, donut Wednesdays and popcorn Fridays, $4,500 per year in tuition reimbursement, a foosball table, Ping-Pong tournaments and daily team workouts. Find their employment opportunities here.

2014 Winners

Calypso is a strategic marketing, public relations, and creative agency. 61% of their workforce is under 40. They offer a college internship program and work closely with their local high schools. Their benefits include: Paid maternity and paternity leave, birthdays off, summer Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day allowing employees to clock out at noon, an open concept workspace with standing desks, comfy couches and more. Find their employment opportunities here.

Lauchlan is a marketing agency focused on the technology sector. One of their employee’s said, Lauchlan also offers many of the perks and quirks that together add up to a satisfying and fun workplace,” some of which include: A monthly “WOW” award for recognizing employee thoughtfulness, pets in the office, an annual company weekend ski trip, Lauchlan University where staff teach lunchtime training classed, lunch is provided by the company, and teachers get a $100 gift card. Find their employment opportunities here.

W.S. Badger manufactures certified organic and all-natural personal care products. They provide: Free organic lunch every day for all employees with 30 minutes paid time, yoga classes, foosball, basketball, vegetable gardens, paid maternity and paternity leave, plus their unique “babies at work” program that allows new parents to bring their babies to work until six months of age. Find their employment opportunities here.

2013 Winners

Mad*Pow is “a design agency focused on improving the experiences people have with technology, companies, and each other” and has national clients like Google, ESPN, and Monster. In their application they referred to the atmosphere in their office as “fun and funky” describing flex time for powder (ski) days, surf lunches, charity work days, design contests, an annual lobster fest, and an annual pumpkin carving contest. They have standing desks, hammocks, comfy couches, education assistance, flex-time, “Summer Fridays” when the office closes at 3p, and employees are given FIVE paid days off per year to volunteer. Find their employment opportunities here.

SilverTech is “a digital marketing agency that helps brands tell their stories in unique and meaningful ways.” They place significant emphasis on the relationships of members of the SilverTech team, treating each other as family, including trust, respect, helping each other succeed and grow their careers, but also, as they said, “while having an absurd amount of fun.” They have a casual dress code, book club, a variety of games throughout the office (arcade games, ping pong, foosball, a pool table, and more), team BBQs, spontaneous jam sessions, flexible scheduling, a “Culture Club” responsible for planning employee outings and events, a paid day off for your birthday, and as one employee said, “So many people at SilverTech are knowledgeable and passionate about their respective fields, and that passion is infectious.” Find their employment opportunities here.

The Birchtree Center is a nonprofit “that exists to promote independence, engaging relationships, and productive lives for children and youth with autism at home, at school, and in the community.” This year the Birchtree Center has had eight interns from NH; three high school students, three college students, one recent college graduate, and one graduate student who serve as peer mentors to their students and assist with programming giving them hands-on experience and the opportunity to explore future careers in the autism field. They have a “good job” box where anyone can place notes about fellow employees that are read aloud at monthly all-staff meetings, they offer flexible scheduling, gym discounts, one paid day off annually to volunteer, will writing services, weekly in-house “bootcamp” classes, five weeks of paid vacation, and fully employer-paid health and dental benefits. Find their employment opportunities here.

2012 Winners

When you are in business to provide the latest and greatest in communications, whether that be phone, Internet or TV, it makes sense to employ people adopting and desiring the most current trends. But Comcast doesn’t just hire people for what the company can get out of the deal. The company goes out of its way to make sure its young professional workforce feels valued. They include young professionals in decision making, spend a small fortune on training, offer four-day workweeks and telecommuting for some positions, and seek out employee feedback. They also pack a lot of punch with incentives and rewards from extra vacation days to prizes like iPads and TVs. The regional senior vice president says his employees are empowered. Find their employment opportunities here.

The International Association of Privacy Professionals says they are smart, fun and get things done. The company, which is in the field of information privacy and data protection, has been in business for 12 years and boasts almost 50 employees. Of those, 61 percent are under 40. The president says he doesn’t draw lines between the personal and professional, and he makes sure that the work gets accomplished with smiles and a “nice” attitude. Find their employment opportunities here.

Located in vibrant downtown Portsmouth, Vital designs “websites and digital marketing strategies that work” for some of the most exciting clients around. With unlimited paid time off, free lunch, flexible hybrid work schedules, and a list of other perks a mile long, this creative agency is known for being super cool. Young professionals will find a culture designed for growing careers, including an internship program and tons of investment in professional development and continuing education. Find their employment opportunities here."

2011 Winners

When it comes to investing in young professionals, it’s hard to beat HEB Engineers in North Conway. Over the years, the company has funded the MBA degrees of five employees. It is also in the midst of a succession plan to transfer ownership of the company to three employees—all of them young professionals—with one more owner being added next year. In 2006, HEB created an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and transferred 30 percent of stock to employees. Employees also receive bonuses. Outside the office, the firm supports the community, granting employees two days of paid community service. Find their employment opportunities here.

Who wouldn’t want to work for a company that gives iPads as Christmas gifts, breaks out play-doh during strategy sessions and provides camping chairs for holding meetings outside on nice days? For PixelMEDIA, a Web development company in Portsmouth, it’s all part of a work atmosphere designed to spark creativity and make people happy to come to the office. PixelMEDIA has flexible start times and a casual dress code; provides an X-Box, ping pong and guitars in the employee lounge; and financially supports employee participation in walks, runs and other athletic events for charity. On snow days, the company buys pizza for all employees who come to work. But it’s not all fun and games at PixelMEDIA. Staying up on the latest technology is critical for a company in the social media and technology field. In 2010, PixelMEDIA spent $40,000 on training and conferences and all employees have access to online software training. They also have a tiered bonus system based on meeting company goals. Find their employment opportunities here.

St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua creates a workplace that balances fun with accountability and recognition. Young professionals at St. Joe’s are supported and encouraged from day one. A mentoring program pairs new employees with those with more experience. And employees looking to get a higher degree can receive up to $1,500 tuition reimbursement. The hospital pays over $300,000 a year for continuing education and workshops. The hospital also provides employees with opportunities to connect in healthy and fun ways, including partnering with iUGO, Nashua’s YP organization, on two kickball tournaments and one dodge ball tournament each year. The hospital claims that combination of fun and professional development appeals to young professionals, which make up 29 percent of the hospital’s 733 full-time employees. Find their employment opportunities here.

2010 Winners

Realizing that the average age of employees in the defense aerospace industry was 51, BAE Systems in Nashua launched a concerted effort to attract younger professionals. Part of the effort is an extensive summer intern program that helped the company find talent easier and helped to show students that BAE is a serious employer. In 2010, 36 percent of new hires were a direct result of that program. In order to retain those younger employees, BAE offers flexible work schedules, a leadership program and opportunities for career advancement and time off from one’s regular job to develop ideas in the company’s Innovation Center. BAE has made developing the next generation of engineers and workers its top priority. Find their employment opportunities here.

Some of the methods this Manchester firm uses to attract young professionals include flexible schedules, tuition reimbursement and full company paid health care. They have a lounge complete with arcade games, ping-pong and darts, a company Segway and they host regular fun outings. Dyn even hosts a “Geek Week” every year, where employees can express their inner geek with hopes of being crowned the “Biggest Geek” at week’s end. Find their employment opportunities here.