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Employees of PPOplus celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary. Seated, from left, are: Sue Hymel, Beth Decuers, Stephanie Booth-McGinnis and Lori Tully. Back row, from left, are: Sharon Reiser,
Stephen Boyd, Missy Senner, Toma Ferrari, Michele Rogers, Theresa Theriault, Angela Roche, Annette Scott, President Catherine Hill, Nan Wallis and Kelly James.
Photo by Tracie Morris Schaefer
PPOplus
Not too long ago, PPOplus found itself in a
position many companies have faced
recently: The firm was not in a position to give
out raises.
“So instead of just saying no raises, they gave
us more paid time off to compensate,” said
Toma Ferrari, a provider services coordinator.
Ferrari said the company has been extremely
generous with offering time off from the daily
grind so employees can “refresh and recharge.”
“Also, if anything comes up at home, management
allows you to take off right away for as
long as you need. The management truly listens
to the employees.”
With a staff of just 16 full-time employees,
those who go to work every day describe the
environment as one big happy family.
“There is no bull,” said Lori Tully, senior
provider services representative. “If you ask a
question or pose a concern, the management
staff handles it immediately. They really care
about the people.”
Tully, who has been with PPOplus for nine
years, said the atmosphere is vastly different
from places she has worked in the past.
“It has been good from the beginning,” Tully
said. “We are a small company with a good core of
people. The owners play a big role in the relaxed
atmosphere. Employees are not micromanaged
while on the job. It makes it easier to work.”
The company’s commitment to its employees
is particularly meaningful to client services
manager Stephanie Booth-McGinnis.
A little more than a year ago, Booth-McGinis
was pregnant with her first child at the same
time her husband was preparing for a 15-month
deployment to Afghanistan.
“The company really took care of me,” Booth-
McGinnis said. “They let me have as much
time off as I needed to spend with him before
he took off overseas. They also gave me great
maternity leave and offered me extra time to
Nature of business: preferred provider network
Where based: New Orleans
Employees: 16
Average starting salary: $30,000
Median salary: $45,000
Average employment time: eight years
Benefits: health care with 80 percent coverage, dental, vision
and prescriptions plan, 401(k) with 3 percent match, paid
maternity leave, telecommuting, flexible hours, employee
recognition program
Wait time for benefits: none
Paid days off: 27
Web site: www.ppoplus.com
take care of everything. The management had
a sincere personal interest in me. That is the
way it is for everyone.”
“You want to give your all when you come to
work here,” she said.
Tully said management regularly celebrates
employee birthdays and often gives extra time
off around holidays.
“Occasionally, management will say that it is
such a nice afternoon outside that they are
shutting the doors early and giving everyone
the rest of the day off,” Tully said. “There are not
too many places that will do that.”•
— Robin Shannon
64 2009 Best Places to Work