Northern Kentucky is as full of successful and diverse workplaces as it is brimming with vibrant, unique communities. For our fourth annual Best Workplaces of Northern Kentucky, NKY Magazine has selected 23 businesses and organizations, large and small, that demonstrate what makes the region a great place to work. From generous benefits and, dare we say, fun offices to serious commitment to the betterment of employees and the communities these workplaces reside in, the Best Workplaces of Northern Kentucky each demonstrate a lot of wonderful qualities to current and potential future employees.

Nomination Process

For the 2023 Best Workplaces in NKY, a link to a nomination form was emailed to businesses and people throughout the region, inviting them to self-nominate. A form was also posted online so that other businesses could participate. For-profit, nonprofit and government institutions were able to self-nominate. Nominees were asked to provide details about their workplace, benefits and interactions with the community. The winners were then selected by committee. If you are interested in nominating your company next year, subscribe to NKY Magazine and its newsletter (both of which are complimentary) at BestofNKY.com.

2023 Best Workplaces in NKY

Crescent Ridge Academy Crescent Springs

Q: What is Crescent Ridge Academy?

A: “Crescent Ridge Academy (CRA) is a premier Montessori school focused on the holistic development of its students, educating the whole child and providing an academic, social and emotional foundation for lifelong impact,” says Beth Niemann, director of development.

Q: How does the school engage with employees?

A: “Our administration is joyful, supportive and, most of all, dedicated to the true spirit and method of Montessori. The administration recognizes and celebrates each teacher’s strengths and allows them each to work autonomously to best serve each child. Our teachers are trusted to make decisions for their students and their classroom and have the full support of our administrative team when they need it.

“The faculty are collaborative and supportive, keeping the best interest of the child in mind. CRA staff put thought and heart into their instruction and continuously challenge themselves to stay true to Montessori and give the student what they need. As a result, teachers are collaborative and share their ideas with others.”

Jolly Plumbing Drains Heating and Air Wilder

Q: What is Jolly Plumbing Drains Heating and Air?

A: “Honest, friendly and prompt service has been the core of Jolly Enterprises for 40 years now. We offer services in plumbing, drains, heating and air to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati Area, with the goal of being on the forefront of workplace quality and customer service for years to come,” says the company.

Q: What are some of the unique benefits offered by the company?

A: “Probably the most unique is our basketball court inside of our office that host our employees’ pickup games. On top of that, it doubles as an event center with a full kitchen that can be used by our employees. Over the years our employees have had kids’ birthday parties, family Thanksgivings and anniversary parties free of charge. It also is the host to our annual Christmas party where all of our employees enjoy a gourmet meal, drink and entertainment, as well as a gifts and prizes.

“We provide a fully stocked fridge of drinks as well as snack bar throughout the day for some grab and go happiness.

“Training is large part of what we do here at Jolly. We sent over 30 employees out of state last year for training and all of our employees went through some type of paid training last year. We also pay for our employees to obtain their journeyman and master license as well as creating study guide material for them.”

Scooter Media Covington

Q: What is Scooter Media?

A: “Scooter Media is a 15-person, award-winning boutique communications agency based in Covington. The team at Scooter Media thrives on creating specialized strategies and employing tactics that drive measurable, long-lasting results for a company’s bottom line and reputation,” says Lauren Vogel, public relations director.

Q: What kind of unique benefits do you offer?

A: “Professional development is a priority for the agency. Scooter Media covers 50% of professional memberships for staff and allocates $150 to each staff member annually for additional professional development opportunities, along with scholarships for larger opportunities.

“To promote team-building post-pandemic, Scooter Media launched two internal committees this year—our philanthropic committee ‘Scooter Gives’ and our event planning committee, both employee-led. The events committee organized four events in 2022, including the agency’s 10th-anniversary party, and the philanthropy committee supported six organizations through event participation, donations and sponsorships.

“The agency operates on a hybrid model, allowing employees flexibility to work from a location of their choice four days a week with one day required in the office. Scooter Media also allows employees to log off at 3 p.m. on Fridays if there are no conflicts with client meetings or deadlines.”

Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) Fort Wright

Q: What is TANK?

A: “The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) is an agency of the Northern Kentucky community, serving Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties and downtown Cincinnati. TANK provides public fixed-route and paratransit services as well as shuttles to and from local schools and Northern Kentucky University,” says the public transportation service.

Q: How has the company impacted the community?

A: “A focus was put on bus driver retention and hiring in 2022, and it has certainly shown! More company events, more driver encouragement, an increase in the starting wage for bus drivers, and, as a result, the community receives a more reliable and professional bus route service,” says an employee.

One Holland Taylor Mill

Q: What is One Holland?

A: One Holland is a restaurant group that includes LaRosa’s, First Watch, Skyline Chili, Greyhound Tavern, Barleycorn’s and many more.

Q: How has the company impacted the community?

A: “One Holland is always giving back to the community through in-kind donations, monetary support, support of our team in their out-of-work endeavors and support of local schools near our businesses. Most recently we gave five scholarships to a local high school to celebrate the opening of a new location. One Holland is a proud supporter of local schools, churches and other organizations both monetarily and with food donations,” says the company.

“One Holland offers opportunities within the community for employees to team build, for example, sponsoring a team to run the Flying Pig and Bourbon Chase events each year. We also work hard to give to our employees’ individual causes.”

HR Elements, LLC Covington

Q: What is HR Elements?

A: “HR Elements provides outsourced HR services to businesses of all sizes. Our programs and services focus on HR management that includes the day-to-day HR tasks and the HR strategy needed for organizational growth. We offer full-time, on-site or remote HR guidance with SHRM certified advisors,” says the company.

Q: How has the company impacted the community?

A: “HR Elements moved its headquarters to Northern Kentucky from Blue Ash in 2022 to further our commitment to our NKY clients’ success. We want to further partner and advocate on our flexible work arrangements for our employees, but also for our clients.

“We have a focus on supporting our local communities and those businesses, nonprofits and other organizations that make a difference. HR Elements sponsors events for many of our clients in the Tristate area to give back and support the community. We also encourage our employees to attend and participate in community events. Our employees are involved in the communities where we live and work—from owning fashion design businesses to organizing local 5Ks for special causes that raise over $95,000.”

Perfetti Van Melle USA Erlanger

Q: What is Perfetti Van Melle USA?

A: “Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc., is part of the Netherlands-based Perfetti Van Melle Group B.V., one of the world’s largest candy manufacturers with well-known brands such as Airheads, Mentos, Fruit-tella and Chupa Chups. In the U.S., we operate a factory, office and distribution center in Erlanger, employing 600 people (mainly in Northern Kentucky),” says Holly Ingram, communications manager.

Q: How does the company engage with employees?

A: “Our employees are the heart of our business growth and success, reflecting our core value of Care for our People, which guides decisions every day, including our employee relations and engagement efforts. This can be challenging with the continued growth of our team and demand for our products, but we make it a priority. We have doubled our number of employees in the last five years alone. We now have over 600 team members, most of whom work in our NKY factory, distribution center or office. 

“Our last internal engagement survey during that time showed that 85% of employees are sustainably engaged, despite the pandemic challenges. Plus, 90% of employees completed the survey, which is exceptional participation against most industry benchmarks for companies our size. We attribute this engagement to many factors around individual, physical, interpersonal and emotional well-being at work, a local work environment that supports productivity and performance, and attachment that drives employee willingness to give discretionary effort.”

Rudler, PSC Fort Wright

Q: What is Rudler?

A: “Rudler, PSC is a full-service public accounting, compliance and business management advisory firm for closely held businesses, individuals and families. NKY has been the firm’s home for more than 30 years, which is why community involvement is a crucial piece of the culture,” says Linda Blair, marketing coordinator.

Q: What are some of the unique benefits offered by the company?

A: “Our interview process includes employees from all levels and service areas to determine if the candidate is a good fit. Once hired, they are partnered with HR, leadership and a mentor to help them identify passions and strengths within the industry to develop a shared vision for their careers.

“Our mentorship program includes all employees, from administrative to leadership. By utilizing strength assessments, mentor/mentees are assigned to share experiences and knowledge for both professional and personal development. In addition, ‘Rudler Buddies’ are assigned to interns and first-year employees as their ‘go-to’ resource and champion.

“Mentoring practices include technical, leadership and soft skills with an emphasis on matching employees to positions and service offerings that elevate their unique abilities and promote individual growth. We establish employee roles, responsibilities and expectations that outline each position and steps to move up to the next level, from client responsibility and managing staff to developing referral networks and transitioning into leadership.”

St. Charles Community Covington

Q: What is St. Charles Community?

A: St. Charles Community is a senior living community.

Q: How does the company engage with employees?

A: “St. Charles continues to offer employment engagement activities two-three times per month. These engagement activities vary from month to month and include Employee Step/Walking Challenge, Concert Ticket Raffles, Employee Derby Hat Contest, Chili Cook Off, Halloween Trick or Treating and Costume Contest, Reds Opening Day Cook Out, Milestone Anniversary Awards, Employee Food Drives and our own St. Charles’ Macy’s Day Parade for residents during Thanksgiving,” says Jayden Julian, human resources coordinator.

Villa Madonna Academy Villa Hills

Q: What is Villa Madonna Academy?

A: It is a K-12 private school.

Q: How does the school engage with employees?

A: “This company loves its employees. We really appreciate everything from a piece of candy in mailboxes, to Facebook shout outs and department highlights to bonuses at Christmas, teacher appreciation week, etc.,” says Amanda Rood, junior high/high school admin assistant and music teacher.

“Teachers get a 50-7% discount to send their kids to the school. Health insurance for the teacher is 100% covered.”

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) Hebron

Q: What is CVG?

A: “The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) has been serving commercial passengers since 1947. With more than 7,500 acres of land, four runways and a diversified base of operations on and near the campus along with an annual economic impact of $6.8 billion, CVG is committed to being an essential part of the region’s overall growth and success through teamwork, innovation and continuous improvement,” says Mikayla Courtney, marketing associate.

Q: How does the company engage with employees?

A: CVG Airport engages with our over 450 direct employees in a variety of ways. One of the recurring touchpoints that allows us to remain engaged and connected is our bi-weekly newsletter, CVG Connections, that spotlights the work and contributions of various employees and departments. This newsletter is designed to provide internal recognition, build appreciation and establish comradery across our campus.

“Currently, CVG Connections is published on our newly launched SharePoint intranet, the CVG Hub. The CVG Hub is a centralized location for all employees to receive important information, with the site containing necessary forms, news stories, event photos, our strategic plan and much more. We also host two annual town halls for our employees providing the opportunity for leadership to share organizational updates, hear employee concerns and offer opportunities to speak with the CEO, Candace McGraw, directly. The newsletter, CVG Hub and the annual town halls all serve to enhance organizational unification, ensuring that all employees feel empowered in telling the CVG story and advancing the mission of redefining and elevating the role of the airport as we become the catalyst that transforms the region.”