Wegmans Employees Discuss Recent Top 100 Rank

, it was announced that Wegmans ranked number four on Fortune Magazine’s 15^th annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. Not only is that great news for the company but also Leesburg’s Area Manager Jason Skelly.

Celebrating 19 years with the company this year, Skelly said it’s not hard to see why the company is once again on the list. Being privately owned it is very much like a family atmosphere, he said, and there hasn’t been one time where he’s felt like a number.

“When the Wegmans’ walk in they know exactly who I am,” Skelly said. “I have relocated three times with our company and every time that I’ve done that they help with the move, they give us suggestions to look for a home if we’re relocating. It’s just a phenomenal experience.”

Skelly said he may be a little bit bias since he’s been with the company so long. However, it never ceases to amaze him when new people are hired and they immediately catch on to the Wegmans culture.

Currently, , which opened in November 2009, employs about 456 employees, he said, including Café Manager Clarence West.

“What I enjoy most are the people,” West said, who celebrated his five year anniversary with the company on Friday. What he has enjoyed most is the value of what the store stands for, how they treat their customers, and seeing each guest return on a regular basis.

When asked how it felt to work for one of the top 100 companies West said, “It’s fabulous. It truly is. I’ve never worked for a company such as this that’s even been within the top 100 to work for. So it’s remarkable.”

Service Desk Employee Victoria Carrillo said she’s worked for the company for almost three years. She enjoys everyone she works with, she said, including the managers who are willing to do all they can to accommodate their workers.

“I totally understand why [Wegmans] is in the top 100 because they’re really good,” Carrillo said. “At least I think so.”

According to Skelly, being privately owned allows Wegmans the flexibility to react to not only to its customers’ needs but also the employees.

“It’s our goal to put our best foot forward,” Skelly said. “That’s all we want to do.”

Having that type of comradery, Skelly said, is just one of the things that sets them aside from other competitors. We are very competitive, he said, and very cognitive of a family and their needs.

“We just try to create an atmosphere where shopping is not a chore. It’s actually enjoyable,” Skelly said, adding that Wegmans also offers menu kick off events, movie nights, outdoor entertainment and Helping Hands.

“For this store, obviously we’re coming off a very successful year. We’ve seen a lot of big growth,” Skelly said. “This year it is our hopes to continue the trend and growth we’ve experienced. We’re trying to make it as easy as possible [for everyone].