Orion Associates and its related companies including Morning Star Financial Services and Orion ISO named in two top workplace awards.

June 15, 2014 – Golden Valley, MN – Representatives from Orion Associates announced the company has been honored as one of  Minnesota’s 100 Best Companies to Work For by Minnesota Business Magazine and named to the list of 100 Top Workplaces 2014 by the StarTribune. Both awards presented this month recognized Orion Associates and its related companies including Morning Star Financial Services and Orion ISO, as achieving the highest level of employee satisfaction through a productive, healthy workplace culture.

Orion Associates and its related companies provide financial management services, human resources and training services for those with disabilities and the elderly throughout Minnesota. Orion ISO provides self-directed financial management services for families and individuals in 29 counties in the state. The organizations have been consistently recognized for providing an outstanding workplace environment in numerous lists and awards.

“I have worked at Orion for the past 15 years and there are many reasons why I enjoy working the organization. On the top of my list is the flexibility the company allows for me to be present in my family’s life,” said Missy Schraut, a Coordinator for Orion ISO who handles many of the organization’s outstate cases. “I have never been denied the opportunity to volunteer at my kids’ school or to take an hour or two off for a doctor’s appointment. Orion management truly understands what it feels like to be a working mom in today’s world, and for that I am grateful.”

Orion Associates was also named one of the Best-in-Class in the medium-size company category by Minnesota Business Magazine. Based on the survey resulting in the list of Minnesota’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Orion was noted for being committed to creating a healthy, sustainable workplace for its employees, fostering a culture of volunteerism and for the average length of employment, 8 years.

Orion Associates was also ranked #29 in the small business category by the StarTribune on its list of Minnesota’s 100 Top Workplaces 2014. The StarTribune chose its list based on the results of surveys distributed to the employees of nominated Minnesota companies. Companies were chosen based on employee perception of culture, professionalism, volunteerism and other categories.

“I’ve been with this company for 21 years. Orion has always been an organization that cares about my family and me,” said Cassie Yeats, Billing Administrator for Meridian Services, a related company of Orion Associates. “This is shown in multiple ways from allowing flexibility in my schedule, to offering training I need to do my job better, to encouraging and providing opportunities to volunteer my time outside of the office. This is a great place to work.”

In 2013 INC. Magazine’s Hire Power Awards also honored Orion and its related companies as the top job creator in Minnesota. The companies were named to the 2013 Minnesota’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2013 as well.

About Orion Associates
Founded in 1999, Orion Associates provides management services primarily for companies that administer social services, including those that serve people with disabilities, the elderly and their families.Orion Associates was awarded CARF Accreditation in March 2003 for its administration of Meridian Services’ Family Services (In-Home Services) and Community Living Services (Residential Services and SILS) programs and Zenith Services’ Personal and Social Services (Vocational Services) program. For more information about Orion Associates please visit www.orionassoc.net.