Since 1998 our engineering firm has experienced how even the most difficult challenges are overcome by implementing a culture of character.

Date of Posting: April 18, 2010
Posted By: David H. Melvin, P.E.
David H. Melvin, Inc. Consulting Engineers

The Character First Education program gives each student an opportunity to understand how different words affect our everyday life. The word “Forgiveness” for example, highlights a grand lady, Corrie Ten Boone, who had to learn forgiveness in the light of her sister’s death in a German concentration camp. The bulletins and videos are most appreciated in support of the pre and post test we give each student. Excellent for teaching values and attitude that are associated with building character.

Date of Posting: April 18, 2010
Posted By: Tom Hermann
Jackson County Adult Education, Guidance Counselor

The Character First has been a great program for our bank. It has allowed us the opportunity to recognize our employees on their anniversary of employment and focus on the exceptional talent that our organization has. IT gives us an opportunity to applaud each individual for the character traits they possess and the contribution they make to our team. We also recognize the Character trait of the month in a weekly staff meeting to talk about how we can improve individually as an employee, parent, and spouse. This is a great program and I would recommend it to anyone.

Date of Posting: April 18, 2010
Posted By: Steve Thames
Bank of Bonifay, President

In our experience, it’s been difficult to maintain a character of good culture because different employees have very different definitions and standards of character. By incorporating Character First! training, the definitions and standards are not only the same, but are clearly defined so we can work together to build better character. Now in our second year, we see that most people aspire to model good character and when presented with a clear definition, meet or exceed that standard. This obviously creates a much better performing company and overall happier environment. I would highly recommend to anyone to put Character First! into their organization.

Date of Posting: April 18, 2010
Posted By: Bobby Mitchell
President Applied Ceramics, Inc.

After reading one of my favorite daily devotionals and forwarding it to my co-workers about Benson’s being built on our word and my name I realized what great character this company is built on too. With almost 6 years of Character First! building at Benson’s we still hunger and learn from our monthly training. From the very first Hire for character, Train for Skill co-worker we have seen positive measurable growth in every way here at Benson’s. We have developed a Character that puts us head and shoulders above any other service type company in our area which we are constantly being recognized and referred to as such. Thank you Character First for making Benson’s a great place to work and serve our fellow man.

Date of Posting: April 18, 2010
Posted By: Benson T. Green
President Benson’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

One of our employees, Brad Fariello, was tragically killed in an automobile accident earlier this year. During our conversation with his Father about how special Brad was to us, we learned that our Character First! recognition program for employee anniversaries was very special to Brad. He would call his Father before his anniversary date and speculate about which character quality he would receive. And then after Brad received his anniversary certificate and recognition, he would call his Father and tell him how thrilled he was about being recognized for the character quality. Character is meant to be shared---live it, breathe it and pass it on!

Date of Posting: April 18, 2010
Posted By: Barbara E. Harding
Treasurer, Hunt Insurance Group, LLC