••• SPONSORED SECTION •••
A company’s culture can have major impacts on its ultimate success. Company culture not only speaks to the happiness of a business’s employees, but ultimately its customers and clients as well.
One common thread emerged as we spoke to various successful companies across the state about their company culture: a focus on people. Even more important than profit, margins, or other measures of growth, the companies that report high levels of satisfaction with their culture lead with a people-first mentality.
What’s unique is the different ways each company approaches that people-first mentality. For a business like Swinerton, the business draws much of its company culture from the fact that it’s employee-owned, creating a “we all win” mentality among the team.
Other businesses, like Grady-White Boats, build connections into their everyday practices through things like Friday Focus meetups or team book clubs. Others, like Drucker + Falk, give employees as much autonomy and trust as possible to cultivate a culture of independence and pride in one’s work.
Company culture can also involve fostering a culture that prioritizes giving back to the community, creating a culture built on generosity and teamwork.
DRUCKER + FALK
DRUCKERANDFALK.COM
At Drucker + Falk, people are at the heart of everything they do. As a property management company specializing in multifamily and commercial properties, their mission goes beyond bricks and mortar—it’s about ensuring that everyone who lives, works, or interacts with their properties feels happy, safe, and valued.
But this people-first approach doesn’t stop with clients. Dexter Tillett, Business Analyst at Drucker + Falk, emphasizes that since the company’s founding in 1938, employees have been treated like family.
“We care about our people a lot,” Tillett says. “In a world where AI and automation are increasingly taking over, we are committed to maintaining a human-centered approach.”
Operating in nine states and continuing to expand, Drucker + Falk has made this commitment work on a large scale. With over 1,100 employees and 87 years of history, the company has built a culture that balances growth with genuine care for people.
One of the keys to their employee-focused culture is autonomy. Tillett explains that by trusting employees to make smart decisions and work diligently, Drucker + Falk fosters an environment where individuals feel valued, empowered, and integral to the company’s success.
This philosophy pays off—not just in employee satisfaction but also in loyalty. Many team members have been with the company for 20 years or more, a testament to the organization’s commitment to its people. Long-term retention extends to clients as well, with properties consistently managed to high standards—essential in an industry where quality and reliability are critical to maintaining contracts.
“I’m most proud of our employee retention and the way our maintenance and operations teams keep everything running smoothly, making our clients happy,” Tillett says. “We’re a third-party management company, so it can be a tough business. But our focus on results-driven success is rooted in how we treat our people.”
Drucker + Falk currently manages more than 43,000 apartments and over 3 million square feet of commercial space—spanning 200+ properties across 9 states. Yet, even amid growth, the company’s people-first culture remains a non-negotiable priority.
Looking ahead, Tillett says the company plans to expand further while staying true to the values that have defined Drucker + Falk for nearly nine decades—putting people first, including employees, clients, and residents.
SWINERTON
SWINERTON.COM
When it comes to company culture, employees are a major driver. And when employees also own the company, they can shape the long-term success of an organization.
At Swinerton, each team member is an employee-owner, which builds unique pride and an unmistakable drive. Their collaborative network of offices and project teams ensures successful project delivery and peace of mind, every time.
Swinerton’s leadership team has decades of homegrown experience and a long tradition of stability. Their dedication to the livelihoods of employees and clients fosters an approachable, open-door style of management. Core values of ownership and integrity that have guided Swinerton for decades continue to accelerate their Carolinas division into the future of innovative building.
Since the business’s earliest beginnings as a brick masonry and contracting business in 1888, Swinerton has remained a forward-thinking builder focused on delivering exceptional experiences to its clients and partners. Today, they have an expansive and innovative portfolio of expertise and capabilities for construction and project delivery. No matter the size, scope or complexity of a project, the pride of employee ownership gives them an extra edge, according to Kevin Smith, Vice President and Division Manager.
“Though our impact has expanded over the last century, our mission remains as focused as ever: to be the preferred builder and trusted partner in every market we serve, proudly leading with ownership, integrity, passion and excellence,” he says.
Swinerton employees are passionate about giving back to and improving the communities in which they live, work, and belong – another key aspect to their strong company culture. The company’s community impact work is guided by four major focus areas: equitable education, sustainable workforce, resilient communities, and local impact.
They’ve been known to partner with organizations like Roc Solid Foundation,
Build for a Better World, Adopt-A-Street, OneBlood Bus, 24 Foundation, Promising Pages, and Independence High School’s Skills USA Program.
At the heart of the company’s strategy is a commitment to and investment in employees through the Talent First program. Swinerton’s strategic approach to talent focuses on empowering employees through ongoing development, delivering exceptional experience and attracting top talent; all of which permeates a strong workplace culture. A dedicated Talent First team provides the scaffolding and resources that enable their employees to deliver outstanding projects and services.
This practice yields high-performing, reliable, and consistent teams that clients can depend on to deliver safe, high-quality projects that are on time and within budget.
The company also provides long-term training to craftspeople, foremen, and superintendents on a broad range of topics such as labor productivity skills, technology, processes, and management, which are fundamental to ensuring effective field operations. Core training is uniform across all Swinerton operations groups to guarantee the consistent and high-quality performance standard that our clients expect.
“At Swinerton, we believe leadership is the cornerstone of excellence,” Smith says. “As employee-owners, we are empowered to trust our shared values, foster open communication, and inspire the next generation of builders.”
GRADY-WHITE BOATS
GRADYWHITE.COM
Founded in 1959 in Greenville, North Carolina, Grady-White Boats has grown from a builder of rugged, seaworthy boats into a company known for developing people, strengthening communities, and leading its industry with purpose. Guided by the vision “Together, delivering the ultimate boating experience while living our best lives,” Grady-White brings this commitment to life every day—on the factory floor, with suppliers and dealers, across the marine industry, through community partnerships, and in conservation efforts that protect our natural resources.
Under the leadership of President Kris Carroll, a 50-year company veteran, Grady-White is deeply committed to helping every stakeholder thrive. One of the most powerful examples of this is the weekly Friday Focus—a 15-minute pause in production where the entire team gathers to reflect, learn, and grow together. Led most often by Executive Vice President Jonathon Burns, these sessions highlight the company’s core life principles, centered on the “8 Domains of Life,” encouraging every person to set meaningful goals and pursue excellence, or as the team calls it, “Stretching for 10.”
These teachings connect to Grady-White’s Lifelong Learning program; a custom book series offered to all employees. Every new hire begins with Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, and most continue reading through optional selections. The response is extraordinary—more than 90% of the team recently read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, sparking rich discussions and powerful personal development. The impact flows beyond the workplace, helping team members grow in all areas of their lives.
Grady-White’s spirit of generosity extends far beyond its walls. The company and its people have long been recognized throughout Greenville, Pitt County, and North Carolina as devoted community partners. For decades, they have invested time, talent, and financial support in organizations such as the United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs, local public schools, East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, ECU Health, and UNC Health Care. One especially meaningful initiative is the Roc Solid Foundation, which supports children facing cancer. Grady-White team members have built nine playsets for families and hosted a Backpack Packing Party at the factory—powerful reminders of the joy and hope that come from giving back.
Conservation is another cornerstone of Grady-White’s identity, rooted in the vision of owner Eddie Smith, who purchased the company in 1968. Smith believes we all share a responsibility to protect waterways and fisheries for future generations. The company actively supports major initiatives such as the Coastal Conservation Association, the Billfish Foundation, oyster restoration projects in North Carolina and Virginia, the Tag A Giant tuna program, the Blue Serengeti Initiative, and the Dolphinfish Research Program.
At its heart, Grady-White is committed to building the highest-quality boats that help customers create unforgettable experiences on the water. Every year, people visit the plant to meet the craftspeople behind their boats—discovering firsthand that Grady-White is not just a manufacturer but a community united by values, purpose, and a passion for excellence.
Grady-White Boats is more than a company. It’s a culture—one that inspires people to live their best lives, on and off the water.
