#11 Townsend Analytics
Townsend Analytics, a software development and service provider for the financial services industry, believes keeping and reaching clear goals paves the way to success--and Gen Yers are along for the ride.
"I think that our business goal is very clear," says Project Manager Jason Vander Meer. "We create technology products for people in the finance world. We have a very clear direction and we work to break into whatever market is needed."
Vander Meer says that he and his coworkers are dedicated to the company's aspirations. "It's a dedicated culture. Some days or weeks it's laid back and slow, but when something big happens, everybody goes into overdrive to fix whatever needs to be fixed. There's dedication to work hard, but it's a flexible work schedule. If I'm up all night, I'll be in around 11 or 12." Vander Meer says the occasionally long hours aren't without balance, however. "Taking vacations is encouraged," he says.
"Gen Y is the status quo," says CEO Stuart Breslow. "What Generation Y brings is fresh, new ideas and enthusiasm. They challenge things." Breslow also notes that digital natives are crucial to the business. "Technology is always evolving and we need the people that are experienced in this."
Breslow prides himself on the staff he's put together. "It's a bunch of people with a passion for what they do; [they enjoy] the high technology. We have a passion for excellence and a respectable crew that's team and family oriented."
Vice President of Project Management Matthew Pecak says that at Townsend, there's plenty of opportunity for advancement, too. "If you shine, you can definitely move up. I got a marketing degree and started in desk top support, but I moved into a marketing role. Then it was back to project management, then operations a year later, then I wet my feet in product development and now I'm back to project management. They've never held me back. I said I wanted to do something new and a couple months later, I did."
Goal, set, match.
