For more than 120 years, our parent company Spahn & Rose has built its reputation on delivering quality products and services but also on taking care of its people. Across dozens of locations and hundreds of roles, employees describe a shared culture of support, opportunity, and belonging.
That commitment was recognized in 2024 when Spahn & Rose was named a Top Workplace by the Des Moines Register. The honor highlights the company’s focus on creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. From flexible scheduling to professional development opportunities, Spahn & Rose continues to invest in its people — a key reason so many employees build long-term careers here.
Let’s let Spahn & Rose employees tell you themselves. Here are six benefits our employees consistently appreciate most, in their own words.
1) Work-life balance that truly works
For many employees, flexibility is more than a perk—it’s a way of life. Spahn & Rose recognizes that careers and personal lives evolve and makes it possible for team members to succeed in both.
“If anyone has raised a family, they know that life is ever changing,” says Ellie Ressler, Cabinet Design Manager at the Dubuque Spahn & Rose. “I have three kids, and Spahn & Rose gives me the ability to raise them, be at their sporting and school activities, but still be really successful in my career.”
Brent Schneider, Vice President of Operations, echoes Ellie’s sentiment: “Family is very important for us. If your son is in the second grade spelling bee, come talk to us. We’ll get you there. You can’t miss those moments.”
2) A culture of support and teamwork
Whether it’s management, co-workers, or corporate leadership, employees describe a culture where people step up for each other and work toward shared goals.
“It feels like the locker-room camaraderie I thought I’d lose after playing sports,” says Tanner Bronkema, General Manager of the Stockton, Illinois, Spahn & Rose location. “You’re working toward the same goal, together as a team.”
From the yard to the office, this support is woven into daily life. Ryan Hackman, Senior Director of Operations, adds: “If you’ve got a child’s award ceremony, we’ll make sure you can be there. There are people around you to help, so you don’t miss those events.”
3) Opportunities to grow and lead
Spahn & Rose offers clear career paths and training programs to help employees move into new roles and take on greater responsibility.
Dave Davis, President & CEO, explains: “We want to make sure our employees understand that they’re not just financially taken care of—we’re helping them plan for the future. We give them the development and training they want, and a career path to progress through the organization.”
Stories like Ryan Hackman’s make this vision real. Starting as an assistant manager, Ryan moved up to general manager and now leads operations: “I never guessed I’d have the chance to help integrate new locations in Georgia and Alabama, but Spahn & Rose gave me that opportunity.”
4) Stability and security
With more than a century in business, Spahn & Rose offers employees a foundation they can build a life on.
“When I joined, I saw a company with a long history and a lot of stability,” says CEO Dave Davis. “Those things are important when you’re moving your family. We haven’t regretted it for a single day.”
Brent Schneider has spent nearly four decades with Spahn & Rose: “I still live where I started in Pearl City. It’s been a fantastic company to work for, and I have absolutely zero regrets.”
5) A voice that matters
At Spahn & Rose, leadership listens. Employees are encouraged to bring forward ideas and take ownership of how the company operates.
“Everybody told me before I became a GM, ‘This is the closest thing you’re going to have to owning the company without having to worry about paying the bills,’ ” says Ryan Hackman. “If you see an opportunity to make the company better, go for it.”
It’s an open-door philosophy that extends throughout the organization. “Dave’s famous line is, ‘All of us are smarter than one of us,’ ” Ryan adds. “When everyone shares their insights, it makes a huge difference.”
6) A place where people stay
From long tenures to returning employees, Spahn & Rose builds the kind of workplace people don’t want to leave.
“We keep people,” says Brent Schneider. “There’s always another job somewhere, but nothing makes me happier than when someone leaves and then comes back. And it happens quite a bit.”
Lori Hoffmann, Vice President of Human Resources sums it up: “People don’t stay where they’re not happy, where they’re not treated well. To see the kind of tenure we have here says everything.”
How We Builds Careers, Not Just Jobs
From competitive benefits to growth opportunities, Spahn & Rose invests in its people at every level. As described on the company’s careers page, employees have access to a wide range of roles, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing training designed to set them up for long-term success.
“It’s just a great group of people who want to work hard and do the best for our customers,” says Brian Bowles, General Manager of the Dubuque Spahn & Rose location. “I’ve enjoyed my journey here and look forward to the future.”
If you’re looking for a workplace where teamwork, flexibility, and growth are part of the culture, Spahn & Rose offers more than a job—it offers a place to thrive.