UT College of Business and Innovation presents HR Management Excellence Awards to Spangler Candy Company, Sun Federal Credit Union

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation presented their 16^th annual Human Resource (HR) Management  Award for Excellence in May, recognizing Spangler Candy Company  and Sun Federal Credit Union for their outstanding human resource practices.

“As local residents think about jobs, it is important to recognize area success stories, the area’s best employers who are taking steps to attract and retain the best people,” noted Dr. Clinton Longenecker, COBI Professor of Management and chair of the Awards Selection Committee.  “These organizations are utilizing their human capital to compete at the very highest levels, while creating great places to work.”

In addition to the winning companies, Directions Credit Union  and Sylvania Franciscan Sisters were recognized as finalists.

The Spangler Candy Company Human Resources and their Teamster Union partners have created a productive working relationship that includes a recent win-win five-year contract. Furthermore, HR created multiple initiatives to support health, wellness and safety for employees, returning savings to the bottom line. Keeping employees happy and healthy enables the company to make 10 million Dum-Dum suckers  - - or as the company prefers to think of them, 10 million smiles - - every day.

Joni Lashaway, Human Resources Coordinator at Spangler, stated, “HR’s function is to balance the needs of the company and the needs of the people. Spangler is a family oriented company, and HR helps the employees with life, work, and family so they can be productive employees. Valued people become valuable and Spangler truly believes this. I am pleased to be a part of a team that helps employees do what they need to do in order to maintain a good work-life balance.”

Niki Mosier, Director-Human Capital added, “This award is for everyone at Spangler Candy and it recognizes the achievements of our people. It highlights all the things we do right, and also identifies areas where we can continue to improve.”

Sun Federal Credit Union considers itself a bank owned by the customer, comparing itself to be like Jimmy Stewart in the movie classic, "It's a Wonderful Life. "  Employees are concerned  about the human experience, assisting people in all of life's stages and challenges.  Among the reasons the company was honored with COBI's HR Award are because HR is a key business partner in Sun Federal's success; HR impacts communications, business acumen, strategic agility and instilling a shared vision; and they play a key role in continuous improvement.

"Thank you to The University of Toledo for recognizing the Human Resource profession with this award," said April Hammer, Human Resource/Employee Relations Manager at Sun Federal.   "HR professionals spend their time recognizing others and often hear more complaints than praise, so to receive this prestigious award is an honor.  Being recognized by leaders in the HR community for the difference we make in the lives of our employees and the contributions we make to Sun Federal’s success is truly amazing!"  

Directions Credit Union employees serve their members, serve the community and contribute to financial education of area residents. They encourage employee development by offering programs through which employees can earn college degrees, have a mentor program between retired and new employees, and provide an extended illness bank to cover long term absences.

Sylvania Franciscan Sisters are value based, and people who work there embrace their mission.  They focus on hiring good people who are challenged not just know what their mission is, but to embrace it. They strive to be committed to each employee as a whole person. Among the reasons they were finalists for the award are because of their unique partnership between HR practitioners and the Sisters which solidifies the mission and values into the organization.

The HR Management Excellence Awards were established in 1998 by the UT COBI Department of Management to encourage and recognize excellent progress and achievement in the field of human resource management.

“These awards are given annually to celebrate the success of local organizations and leaders for creating great places to work and for making a real difference in our economy. They demonstrate to the region that area employers can compete in a world marketplace,” said Longenecker.