Company’s award benefits local children’s charity

Carole Vaughn (center) accepts a check from Randy Loftis, of Constangy, Brooks and Smith Law Firm, for $1,000 for the Clara B. Farlow Foundation for Children of Surry County. The donation was matched by Advanced Electronics Services of Mount Airy as part of the Work-Life Balance award presented to the company on Thursday. Angie Cagle, human resources director for AES, looks on.

For the past 17 years, Advanced Electronics Services, started by Steve and Leslie Cooke of Mount Airy, has stressed the importance of family.

On Thursday, AES was recognized for that mantra by a national labor and employment law firm, Atlanta-based Constangy, Brooks & Smith. The company was honored with the 4th Annual Human Resource Work-Life Balance Initiative Award in conjunction with National Work and Family month.

The honor carried with it a $1,000 contribution that AES designated to the Mount Airy-based Clara B. Farlow Foundation for Children of Surry County. AES also made a matching contribution to the foundation.

The Work-Life Balance program recognizes companies that actively initiate and create work environments conducive to work-life balance.

Angie Cagle, human resources director for AES, submitted the company for consideration in August and an independent panel of judges selected AES for their impressive array of programs, including their flexible schedules policy.

The policy gives employees a great deal of control in their schedules, even from week to week, allowing them to take time for family activities, doctor’s appointments, care of family members and personal appointments.

The company also has a “Friendship Fund” in place that allows employees to contribute to fellow co-workers in times of need.

“These programs show that Advanced Electronic Services is committed to work-life balance, making them a great example for other companies,” Neil Wasser, firm chairman, said Thursday. “While flexible schedule policies are not feasible for every work environment, that’s only one example of what companies can do to promote work-life balance, and is only one part of AES’s overall program. As we have learned at Constangy from companies like AES, when an employer creates a positive work environment that is sensitive to issues of work-life balance, the organization is rewarded with low turnover, great morale, and even greater productivity. It’s a win for everyone.”

Randy Loftis, head of the firm’s Winston-Salem office, presented the award which included an engraved, glass trophy and the$1,000 donation to the charity of the company’s choice.
The founder of the charity, Carole Farlow Vaughn, was on hand Thursday morning to accept the two donations.

“It is truly inspiring for Advanced Electronic Services to single out the Clara B. Farlow Foundation for Children of Surry County, given there are so many tried and true organizations in this community,” she said. “They have faith in our vision, and the goals this foundation hopes to accomplish, and I am sincerely honored.”

“We are honored to accept this award in recognition of AES’s commitment to provide a balance between life, family and work responsibilities,”

Cagle said after accepting the award. “Since Leslie and Steve Cooke started the company 17 years ago, they have always expressed the importance of putting family first — do what you need to do, so that you can be successful on your job.”

Advanced Electronics Services is a locally-owned and operated company that specializes
in industrial electronic repair and has expanded to provide domestic and international electronic, electromechanical, hydraulic and motor repair services.

More information on AES can be found on its website at aesintl.com. For more information on the foundation, visit its website at clarabfarlowfoundation.org.

Article published in the Surry Messenger, September 13, 2009