ACES ranks #6 for the best places to work in the Cedar Valley!
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, September 2005

ACES employees appreciate recognition
Cedar Falls – For having the most sales among ACES consultants, Janet Trepp earned the keys to her boss’s 2000 Mustang Convertible for a month. “It was fun, and I could drive it wherever,” said Trepp, and eight-year sales consultant and ACES. “He (boss Phil Kenealy) comes up with different things to recognized the work that you do.”

Employees doing a good job also are acknowledged verbally each day and congratulated at company gatherings. “Phil (Kenealy) always makes you feel important and that your role at ACES is important to the success of ACES,” said Rachelle Hahn, an office manager and eight-year employee. You really truly feel like he cares about you.”

Some get bonuses based on their number of “billable hours,” customer service calls billed by the hour. “If you’re trying to find work and staying busy, a bonus is part of your check,” says Scott Behrends, a one-year field technician. Employees are trusted to do their jobs without constant nagging. “We’re not micromanaged,” said Juli Camarin, a 2 ½ year employee. “We are trusted to do our job and it is our responsibility to get it done.”

Individuals set achievement goals and can earn extra cash, time off or gift certificates to area restaurants each month. Company-wide bonuses are distributed yearly based on profit, and periodic giveaways from ACES vendors are also a hit. These qualities may add to the low company turnover rate. Hahn said most employees have logged more than five years.

Promotions come from within. Engineers and technicians climb the monetary ladder according to the degree of education and experience. To be considered for different engineer positions, a particular slot must be vacant. In the sales department, promotions are base on sales numbers. ACES helps finance training to advance technical skills. Behrends currently is working toward Microsoft certification.

Time off is granted when needed, even for someone calling the morning of to request a personal day, Hahn said. “I don’t think anyone’s ever been turned down,” Hahn said, “it’s the most flexibility I’ve ever experienced in the time I’ve been working. It’s a huge morale boost to know personal lives are accommodated.” Many make their own schedules, which can be reworked, so no one person gets the brunt of the work load. “If you need the afternoon to go to a doctor’s appointment you can reschedule to make up the time,” Camarin said.

Kenealy has an open door policy for employees. Ideas to make the company more successful are shared via interoffice email and discussions at weekly meetings.

Employee outings include year end appreciation parties, picnics and lunch dates. ACES also have a company softball and volleyball team. Employees with motorcycles often organize monthly road trips. “My co-workers are like a family and (ACES) is like a home away from home,” Behrends said. “Even the people we get to interact with – our customers become friends too.”

Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier September 2005