West Plains Bank and Trust Company tops list of Biz 417’s 2024 Best Places to Work

West Plains Bank and Trust Company recently was announced as the number one 2024 Biz 417 Best Places to Work Large Employer. The awards program was created by Biz 417 in partnership with Best Companies Group.  

 

According to West Plains Bank and Trust Company President/Chief Executive Officer David M. Gohn, this is the fourth year for the bank to make the list (9th in 2021, 6th in 2022, 2nd in 2023 and 1st in 2024). “This honor belongs to the employees,” he said. “It is the culture first attitude and undeniable dedication that they bring to their work each day that landed them at the top of this list. They believe in one another and in having fun and they embody a passion for delivering great service to our customers.”

 

This regional survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in southwest Missouri, benefiting the region's economy, workforce and businesses. The 2024 Biz 417’s Best Places to Work list is made up of 20 companies divided equally between small and large employers. Small Employers have 15–99 employees in the United States and Large Employers are identified by 100 or more employees in the United States.

 

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

- Have at least 15 full or part-time employees working in the southwest Missouri region;

- Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity;

- Be a publicly or privately held business;

- Have a facility in the 417 region; and

- Be in business a minimum of one year. 

 

Companies from across the region entered the two-part process to determine Biz 417’s Best Places to Work. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in southwest Missouri and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings. 

 

West Plains Bank and Trust Company was recognized and honored at Biz 417’s Best Places to Work awards ceremony coordinated by Biz 417 on September 10. The final rankings, which were announced at the event, have been posted on the Biz 417 website (www.Biz417.com/bestplaces) and published in the September/October 2024 issue of Biz 417.

 

For more information on Biz 417’s Best Places to Work program, visit www.BestPlacestoWork417.com.

 

The oldest continually operated business in the area, West Plains Bank and Trust Company opened its doors to customers in 1883. Assets have grown to more than $660 million with branches in the Missouri communities of West Plains, Mountain View, Willow Springs and Houston, and a loan production office in Mountain Home, Ark.