Hundreds of C&A employees converged on the Embassy Suites LaVista to recognize outstanding performers, get excited about our future, and celebrate the accomplishments of our organization over the past year. An entire event dedicated to our employees. It was inspiring and a lot of fun.

Everything from the configuration of our meeting room, to décor and hors d’oeuvres played off of our zen-like theme, “Satori: Enlighten & Ignite” (def. “satori”: sudden enlightenment).

Cy Wakeman, a nationally known writer and speaker kicked things off with a dynamic presentation that challenged all of us to consider whether or not we’re ready to use the abilities and talents we have to seize the opportunities presented to us. She pulled from her personal experience running a marathon and delivered it in her trademark straight forward yet humorous style. I know I was motivated and others I talked with afterwards were as well.

After Cy’s presentation a series of individual and team awards were presented, including our President’s Club, Outstanding Team Achievement, and Employee of the Year awards, among many others.

As employees moved to the post-awards reception, we were greeted by a rumbling “fire and ice” sound and light show. For a while I thought I was in Las Vegas. It was also fun just to mingle the crowd and talk with fellow employees and spouses about the event and just catch up a little.

It’s always amazing how many people work for C&A when you see them all together in one room. It was also a perfect opportunity to personally congratulate the award winners and thank those who worked so hard to organize the event.

As I was driving home, I was glad that our senior management team understood the importance of this recognition event. Even in a tougher economy, when many companies are cutting out the frills and extra expenses, they made sure that employees were recognized for their contributions, understood the vision for our future, and had the opportunity to celebrate accomplishments. I can’t wait to see what this upcoming year has in store for all of us at C&A.
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About Bret Williams: Bret began his career at C&A in 2002 as a recruiting manager. He was awarded C&A’s highest honor of Employee of the Year in 2005 and has continued to grow with the company as it has expanded, now serving as the Director of HR, a position he’s held since 2006. Bret has a bachelor’s degree in HR management is an active member of both The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the local Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM) organizations. Away from work, family, church, and basketball consume most of Bret’s spare time. He serves as an Elder in his church and volunteers for many of its activities and committees. Bret also coaches girl’s basketball and is currently in his third season as head coach for one of Millard West girl’s feeder teams. When he’s not spending cherished time with his wife and two kids, Bret jumps on his Harley Softtail and goes for a ride or grabs a fishing pole and heads for the lake.

During the event, we also watched a video that highlighted the many ways C&A employees give back to the community. Working at a place that encourages this is an added bonus to being a member of the C&A team.
C&A employees have opportunities to give back year round but especially around the Holidays.

Some of the organizations that benefited from our employees contributions last year were: The Food Bank for the Heartland, Lydia House, Cooper Village, and Open Door Mission just to name a few. Seeing your co-workers giving back and creating strong ties in the community gives you some insight into what they are passionate about outside of work.

We recently kicked off our annual United Way Campaign and a company wide food drive benefiting the Food Bank of the Heartland. In the Human Resources and Benefits Departments we also typically help out with the Salvation Army’s intake for their Holiday programs as well as donating to Ted E. Bear Hollow.

Suffice to say, the giving spirit is alive here at C&A. And it’s great to be a part of it.

The announcement is featured in the magazine’s April 2011 issue. Based on reader’s vote, predominantly comprised of members of Omaha’s business community, B2B Magazine awards the “Best Of” in several categories, including professional services, business services, financial services, building services, and travel and event planning.

B2B Magazine is Greater Omaha’s premiere business publication, featuring the latest business developments as well as features on Omaha’s most prominent business leaders.

There were hundreds of employees there, dressed to the “T” and excited to celebrate the 2010 business year.

The event opened with a short presentation by UNO Athletic Director Trev Alberts.  The ex-Husker All-American and NFL player spoke about his career and what’s happening in the athletic programs at UNO.  Most importantly, he talked about his ingredients for success, a valuable take away for our employees. 

Trev is a passionate and driven leader and it was apparent that UNO athletics is in good hands.  If you haven’t been to a UNO hockey game, it’s a must see.  They’re #4 in the nation in Division I hockey and deserve the support of the Omaha sports community.

The second portion of the event was the awards presentation.  It was neat to see those who had accomplished the most be recognized in front of the entire organization. 

My department is responsible for hiring staff across all C&A divisions.  It’s very rewarding to see someone you’ve brought into the company really enjoy what they’re doing and be recognized on the biggest, brightest stage of the year.  You can’t help but feel, in a small way, that you’ve directly impacted not only that person’s life but the success of the company. 

Each recipient received an elegant award and some also were given a voucher for a vacation to a destination of their choice.  I was fortunate to win one of those trips several years ago.  It was a first-class experience and something my wife and I will always remember. 

We also had special visitors during the awards ceremony.  C&A’s very own “Hans and Franz” (remember them from Saturday Night Live fame?) stopped by a few times to share some humor and draw names for random prizes like HD TV’s, laptops, and other very nice items.  They were actually two employees from our Aureus Nursing division and were hilarious.  If Lorne Michaels (SNL Producer) needs a new generation Hans and Franz, these guys are it!

The last segment of the program was a two-hour social mixer.  The room was full of color and took on a nightclub feel, including multiple food and beverage stations.  You name it, it was there and tasted fantastic.  My personal favorite was the shrimp. Very tasty! 

I mingled around the room and had the opportunity to talk and catch up with a lot of people I don’t normally see in my everyday work routine. 

As I was standing there, I looked around and was reminded about how many great people work for C&A, what’s been accomplished at C&A during the nine years I’ve been with the company, and how much potential we have for the future. 

On the drive home, I felt great about the event and was anxious to get back to work on Monday to start the next chapter of the C&A story. 

If you’d like to learn more about careers at C&A, go to www.ca-industries and click on the “Careers” link or call us at (402) 938-2030.

About Bret Williams, HR Director, C&A Industries, Inc.
Bret began his career at C&A in 2002 as a recruiting manager. He was awarded C&A’s highest honor of Employee of the Year in 2005 and has continued to grow with the company as it has expanded, now serving as the Director of HR, a position he’s held since 2006. Bret has a bachelor’s degree in HR management is an active member of both The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the local Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM) organizations. Away from work, family, church, and basketball consume most of Bret’s spare time. He serves as an Elder in his church and volunteers for many of its activities and committees. Bret also coaches girl’s basketball and is currently in his third season as head coach for one of Millard West girl’s feeder teams. When he’s not spending cherished time with his wife and two kids, Bret jumps on his Harley Softtail and goes for a ride or grabs a fishing pole and heads for the lake.

Of the nearly 500 in attendance, C&A had a strong contingent, including Employees of the Quarter and President’s Club recipients.  Scot T. accepted C&A’s award on the company’s behalf.

Speakers included Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle; David Brown, President & CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce; and Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, President & CEO of Quality Living.

C&A was named for the second year in a row in the category of organizations with more than 250 employees.  The annual competition is sponsored by the Chamber and Baird Holm. 

C&A was also featured in the Omaha World-Herald’s Best Places to Work special section on Sunday, May 1^st.

Aureus Medical Group employees Matt Neel and Abby Hansen received the Patriotic Employer Award.

Congrats to Matt Neel and Abby Hansen, Account Managers for the Medical Laboratory division, for being awarded the “Patriotic Employer” award from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. One of their contract employees, Brian Tyler, nominated both of them. Colonel Retired John Bryan presented the certificates to Matt and Abby at the monthly Allied Health meeting in April.

Here is what Brian wrote in his nomination.

“I have been employed by Aureus Medical for over two years now. The position takes me all over the country to work at different hospitals to fill in gaps they might have. My 2 account managers Matt Neel and Abby Hansen have been very supportive of my current military service obligation and make it well-known with every contract that I enter that time will be needed to serve, including travel time to my unit. They also encourage that I refer my military medical professional friends and contacts to the company. They understand how important it is for us to serve and deeply respect that. I believe that they are great employers and deserve recognition for treating myself and other soldiers that are employed by Aureus Medical, above and beyond what the federal law requires.”

Based on reader’s vote, predominantly comprised of members of Omaha’s business community, B2B Quarterly awards the “Best Of” in several categories, including professional services, business services, financial services, building services and travel and event planning.

B2B Quarterly is Greater Omaha’s premiere business publication, featuring the latest business developments as well as features on Omaha’s most prominent business leaders.

In the last several months, C&A has also been named among Omaha’s Best Places to Work by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Baird Holm as well as among Omaha’s Best Employers by Omaha Magazine.