This year’s Top Workplaces D-FW list includes 41 companies that are appearing for the first time. Among them are a law firm, a financial services holding company and a specialty contractor. One of the newcomers to the list is Dallas-based Vela Wood, a boutique full-service law firm founded in 2009. Vela Wood’s practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, sports and gaming, venture capital, and corporate transactions.
“We don’t believe in work-life balance — there’s just life,” the firm said. “We encourage our employees to focus on their lives, and hope Vela Wood becomes an important part of them.” Toward that end, since 2017 the firm has offered its employees the ability to work remotely from another country for a month at a time. A stipend is provided for travel and housing, and families are encouraged to come along. To date, staffers have worked from Brazil, England, Russia and Spain; the latest destination is Mexico City.
Also, an internal initiative called Vela Wood Forward provides financial resources and allows time for the firm’s employees to volunteer to support justice and equal rights for marginalized communities. The initiative’s aim is to educate and empower Vela Wood employees as agents of social change.
That’s also accomplished in one other, very specific way: On the last Friday of each month, Vela Wood reimburses each employee who orders lunch from a minority-owned restaurant.
Dressing for Halloween
Hilltop Holdings, a publicly traded financial services holding company, believes that “building a strong culture is essential to helping our employees flourish at work and in their personal lives.” The Dallas-based firm, founded in 1998, is anchored by a commercial bank and includes a national mortgage originator and a municipal investment bank.
Hilltop’s companywide values include acting with the highest moral and ethical standards, challenging the status quo and showing “an earnest persistence to deliver on our promises.” The firm cultivates ts culture with the help of the Hilltop Holdings Culture Council. The council consists of a diverse group of employees from each department who monitor and act on feedback from their colleagues.
The company said its workers enjoy celebrating together, especially on Halloween, when staff members go “all out” dressing in themed costumes. And, since 2019, the firm’s Top of the Hill awards program has recognized employees who demonstrate outstanding customer service.
Commitment to diversity
CEC Companies, founded in 2009, is one of the state’s largest specialty contractors. The Irving-based firm provides clients with services including mechanical, electrical and plumbing solutions.
CEC said it believes in giving back to the local communities it serves. That includes supporting initiatives that promote education, health and community development via volunteer programs, sponsorships and/or partnerships with nonprofit groups.
For example, the company raises funds for various charities with a golf tournament and an annual clay shoot. Additionally, CEC offers its employees a wide variety of benefits and perks. Among them are overtime pay and bonuses, family and medical leave, a wellness program with discount incentives, a company-matched 401(k) plan and leadership training. CEC also has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in construction, and has hosted a Women in Construction luncheon.
In good company
Also appearing on the Top Workplaces D-FW list for the first time this year are:
Salad and Go
Cinemark
Cox
Andrews Distributing Company of North Texas
Standard Meat
CORE Construction
Burns & McDonnell
Leeward Renewable Energy
Sixth Street
Highgate
MUFG Capital Analytics LLC
Chadwell Supply
SitePro Rentals
Catholic Charities Fort Worth
EF Johnson Technologies
American Specialty Health Inc.
Local Pro Realty
The Bridge
Meritize Financial Inc.
Tower Street Insurance
Legacy Plumbing
Commit Consulting Group LLC
Clear Technologies
StaffDNA
LPT
State Fair of Texas
Blockit
RWB Consulting Engineers
Brightland Homes Ltd.
12 Oaks Senior Living
CLA
CreditAssociates LLC
FieldPulse
MCR Oil Tools
Schwob Building Company LLC
American Systems
KAI Enterprises
Brightspot Incentives & Events