Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com March 28, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 15 www.HartfordBusiness.com March 28, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 15 BEST PL ACES TO WORK IN CT 2016 At FIA, possibilities explored over a cup of joe By Karen Sakowitz Special to the Hartford Business Journal T o find out what makes Windsor-based Fiduciary Investment Advisors an ideal workplace, talk to any member of the core leadership team, all of whom have been with the company between 18 and 20 years. Or, ask any new employee who has been given uninterrupted time with the compa- ny's president, Mark Wetzel. Other testimo- nials might come from staffers who have ben- efitted from the com- pany's internal learn- ing institutes, or who have rolled up their sleeves to take part in FIA's community ser- vice efforts. Wetzel began to grow his team in 1990, formally incor- porating in 2006. Today, the firm has 53 employees who advise on more than $43 billion of fiduciary assets for more than 300 clients. During its growth, FIA officials say the company has had no turnover at the senior-consultant level, and has managed to maintain a collaborative atmo- sphere — a major key to its success. "I have an open-door policy. The thinking is that everyone is here for a reason," said Wetzel, who invites all staffers to sign up for "Coffee with the President" sessions that are available several times a week. "We pay our people for their ideas,'' he said. "We want them to add value to the firm and to our clients. Diversity of thought and opinion is valuable to us." He also sits with each new employee when they start. Wetzel says younger employees often take advantage of their face time with him to discuss career opportunities and chances for advancement within the firm. Recognition is another key part of employ- ee support at FIA. Whether it's a restaurant gift certificate on an employee's work anniver- sary, or promotions publicized in the company newsletter, no special event goes unnoticed. "In our Monday morning staff meetings, employees receive recognition for accomplish- ments in an open forum," said Maureen Cooper, the firm's chief operating officer. "We also have an annual off-site where we go over the whole business, including a recap of the year and goals for the next year, so that everyone knows where we are. Ours are very contributory meetings." FIA employees are also invited to formally share information that can help their coworkers. "We hold learning institutes every two to three weeks, where a person from a particular department gives a 45-minute presentation. Attendees can listen, ask questions, and soak in knowledge along the way," Cooper said. "Topics have included capital-markets review, asset allocation, spending policies for non- profits, retirement savings, and more." Sharing ideas and learning from others are qualities that extend beyond the walls of FIA as well. Employees are encouraged to sit on boards of community nonprofits. Staff- ers are also invited to participate in the FIA's many community service projects. "We have a community-service commit- tee which picks our charities. We intentionally choose those that let us get involved in an active way — serving food, things like that — which makes it more personal and meaningful," said Wetzel. "For example, we deliver food to Hands on Hartford every month, and it's so impactful to see how important the effort is to those we help." Cooper says the growth of the commit- tee shows how much employees want to be involved. "We had about 20 people on our com- munity service committee to start," Cooper said. "Now, you walk by a committee meet- ing and it fills the conference room. Everyone enjoys it so much." n FIA employees and their families participate in the Color Me Rad race. SMALL / MEDIUM COMPANY CATEGORY YOUR LIFE'S WORK DESERVES MORE THAN A DEADBOLT. HD Surveillance anD Detection Get Cox Business Security Solutions with HD Surveillance and Detection. View crystal-clear video in high definition, day or night, with our lineup of HD commercial cameras. Receive text and email alerts if an alarm is activated. On call 24/7, it goes the extra mile to protect your business. Security that means business. call ( 877 ) 404-2523 visit coxbusiness.com/securitysolutions *Cox Business Security is available to business customers in Cox Business Connecticut service areas. Service not available in all areas. Service Agreement required. Other restrictions may apply. © 2016 Cox Business. All rights reserved. # B ES T P LA C ES TO W O R K I N C T 2 F i d u c i a r y I n v e s t m e n t A d v i s o r s

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