october 2008

project :: 1919

Innovative Employers in Minnesota

Presentation

prepared for:
Minnesota Governor’s Council on 
Developmental Disabilities

prepared by:
MarketResponse 
International


1:: project overview

2:: innovative employer selection criteria

3:: innovative employers

4:: summary

agenda


1:: 

project overview

Objectives:

• Identify businesses that are using innovative employment 
practices in hiring people with developmental disabilities and 
promoting an inclusive work environment.
• Create profiles of selected employers and their innovative 
practices.
• Prepare a presentation of 11 selected employers, and showcase 
their businesses.

project overview

Methodology

Providers of Services

Nominate Companies
(plus other organizations 
and individuals)

Individuals 

Nominate Companies

Online Nomination form 

Followed by Telephone Screening


Selection of Innovative 
Employers for On-site Visits 

Recognition by GCDD 

and 

Create Profile Development


project overview - nominations

Results of Nomination Process = 45 Minnesota Employers 


project overview - nominations

Results of Nomination Process = Variety of Minnesota Employers 


:: The nominations included a wide variety of business categories. 
The fact that almost 60% were manufacturing, distribution or 
services functions is consistent with the prior segmentation research.


Auto Service2%
Restaurant17%
Education/ 
Childcare12%
Grocery & 
Retail7%
Mfg & Dist30%
Gov4%
Services & 
Technology 
Imaging28%

2:: 

innovative 
employer 
selection 
criteria

24%
76%
Innovative employers – selection criteria

Yes

No or Uncertain

..Direct employment
..Permanent employment
..Pay minimum wage 

or higher

..Opportunity for 
advancement 

Screening process identified 11 innovative employers, 
24% of 45 total nominations


3:: 

innovative 
employers

innovative employers

..Byerly’s –Golden Valley
..Coborn’s –Buffalo
..Culver’s –Stillwater
..Learning Blocks Childcare –Elk River
..Minnesota Housing –St. Paul
..Natural Resource Group, LLC – Minneapolis

..NLFX –Bemidji
..Noble Parkway Mobil –Brooklyn Center
..Northeast Metro 916 –White Bear Lake
..Sefar Printing Solutions Inc.– Arden Hills
..University of Minnesota, College of 
Veterinary Medicine – St.Paul

11 innovative employers in alphabetical order 

innovative employers

..In 1968, Don Byerly opened the first Byerly’s 
in Golden Valley.

..Byerly’s Golden Valley store is a full service 
grocery with specialty services and restaurant, 
which is owned by Lund Food Holdings, Inc. 

Byerly’s Golden Valley Store

innovative employers

..Meredith Heerey has a network of job coaches 
and agencies that help her give potential employees 
a trial experience and 90% join the company.
..Currently people with developmental disabilities 
are working as:restaurant cooks, in the deli, 
stocking, cleaning and bagging. 
..Employer perspective – Meredith: “As with all 
employees, if people want to 
expand their work and have interests, they are 
promoted and new tasks are assigned with training.”

Byerly’s Golden Valley Store

innovative employers

..Employee perspective – Shawna:
 
“Meredith and I work well together, 
most of the bosses here are good 
to work with. When the Secret 
Shoppers come through the line 
and rate employees I have always 
gotten high scores.”

..Employee perspective – Dave: 
“I really like making it clean for 
customers.”Dave has worked 
atByerly’s for 15 years.
..He fills in where needed each day; 
here he was cleaning for a busy 
Labor Day weekend.

Byerly’s Golden Valley Store

innovative employers

..Coborn's Inc. owns and operates grocery, 
convenience, liquor and video stores; and 
pharmacies throughout the upper Midwest. 

..Coborn's Golden Rule is “Treat all with 
dignity and respect.”

Coborn’s Buffalo Store

innovative employers

..Rick Flatta has 6 employees with 
developmental disabilities.
..He is always trying to find new 
tasks to increase their work 
opportunities and give them a 
chance to try new things. 
..Employer perspective – Rick: “I want to 
give people a chance to work and to 
prove themselves. Customers seem to 
appreciate our business supporting 
people with developmental disabilities.”


Coborn’s Buffalo Store

..Employee perspective – Deb has 
been working almost a year. She 
helps in the bakery with pie baking, 
producing the labels and labeling 
baked breads as well as stocking 
bakery products. 

..Employee perspective –Tim was 
Employee-of-the-Month in August 
2008. He has been working at 
Coborn’s about two years doing a 
variety of tasks including bagging 
and stocking shelves. 

Coborn’s Buffalo Store

innovative employers

innovative employers

..At Culver’s you’ll experience fresh, 
delicious food served with a great big 
side of friendly smiles and warm hospitality. 
..Steve and Rita Rasmussen are the owners-managers 
of the Stillwater location. Theircommitment to 
hometown values of quality and customer service 
is one example of the over 370 Culver’s 
restaurants across the country.
..The staff at Culver’s of Stillwater has been 
cheerfully serving guests for more than ten years. 

Culver’s – Stillwater

innovative employers


..Employer perspective – Steve: “We choose the 
shining stars and the best people in our 
community for our jobs. Our current staff includes 
Chris, Brian and Mark. They are great members of 
our team.”

..Employer perspective – Rita: “We are working with 
Mahtomedi High School to give selected students a 
work experience that includes employeeswith 
developmental disabilities. We feel that by 
example we are making sure that we do not hold 
these employees back from their potential.”

Culver’s – Stillwater

innovative employers


..Employee perspective – Brian helps with a 
variety of tasks including cleaning 
the dining room with Mark.
..Employee perspective –Chris most often 
works the service counter.
..Employee perspective –Mark is in charge 
of the dining room on some shifts 
and this role is very important to 
customer interaction. 
..Mark and Brian have been selected as 
“employee of the month”several times 
for their work in the dining room. 


Culver’s – Stillwater


innovative employers

..Learning Blocks Childcare provides children 
with an educational setting that 
promotes a love for learning. 
..Children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age 
are welcomed into the center 
licensed to care for 116 children, with 
18 staff members.
..Learning Blocks Childcare was founded 
in 2007 by Tina Erickson.


Learning Blocks Childcare – Elk River


innovative employers

..Employer perspective – Tina: “Teacher Allison 
is one of 18 staff members who are helping the 
children build tolerance and patience.”
..Tina and Nicky, shown above, areworking to 
introduce diversity to all the kids at Learning 
Blocks Childcare. Employing a teacher’s aid with 
developmental disabilities is just one example. 


Learning Blocks Childcare – Elk River


innovative employers

..Wendy, Allison’s co-worker: “Allison brings 
a lot of life to our classroom”
..Nicky, another co-worker: “Allison gives 
lots of positive reinforcement to each 
of the kids. Weare all trying to follow her 
example - it really works.”
..Employee perspective –Allison: “One-on-one 
with the kids is the best part of 
being a teacher’s aid. I never want to 
leave this job.”


Learning Blocks Childcare – Elk River


innovative employers

..Mission: Minnesota Housing finances and advances 
affordable housing opportunities for low and 
moderate income Minnesotans to enhance
quality of life and foster strong communities.
..Agency Purpose: Minnesota Housing is committed 
to meeting Minnesotans’needs for decent, safe, 
affordable housing, and stronger communities.


Minnesota Housing – St. Paul

innovative employers


..In 1992, Minnesota Housing was one of the first 
agencies to hirean employee with developmental 
disabilities. That hire was Kris and today she still 
is a vital member of the Support Services 
Administration team. 
..Employer perspective –Anne Thomson: “In addition to 
a wide range of office 
tasks, Kris is the ‘scanning expert’and trains others 
on scanning techniques.”


Minnesota Housing – St. Paul

innovative employers

..Employee perspective –Kris said her favorite part 
of this job is helping and interacting with everyone.
..Employer perspective –Anne: “When Kris is not here, 
it affects the way the whole department runs. Kris 
knows all the specifics about how to do some 
of the detailed printing and packaging of time 
sensitive materials.”

Minnesota Housing – St. Paul

innovative employers

..Environmental and public affairs consultants for 
the developmentof energy infrastructure projects. 
..Clients depend on NRC to provide exceptional 
environmental and public affairs consulting for 
natural gas, crude oil and refined product 
pipelines, gas storage and liquid natural gas 
facilities. 


Natural Resource Group, LLC – Minneapolis


innovative employers


..Lynda Whittemore needed more help in office 
administration and hiring a person with developmental 
disabilities was, “a chance to do the right thing.”
..Employer perspective –Lynda: “We are building 
awareness and supporting the fact that all people 
want gratifying work.”
..We built a list of office tasks and developed a 
job description for those tasks as we would for 
any new position. 


Natural Resource Group, LLC – Minneapolis


innovative employers


..Employer perspective –Alicia, Sue’s supervisor: 
“Sue has really helped us get organized and stay 
that way. BeforeSue joined us, the 20 printer stations 
were not well managed or supplied. She has a set of tasks 
and also comes to me with suggestions for things that 
she sees which she could do andthat are 
currently not being done on a regular basis.”
..Employee perspective –Sue: “Ireally like this work, 
especially straightening the printer stations and the 
offices. Even when I was young, my mom noticed 
that I liked to keep my room organized.”


Natural Resource Group, LLC – Minneapolis


innovative employers

..NLFX sells and installs a wide range of sound and lighting 
equipment around the world. 
..The Professional Installation team at NLFX prides itself 
on having the most up to date technology when it comes to 
installation and total system design as 
licensed Technology System Contractors.


NLFX – Bemidji

Schools
Bowling/Entertainment Centers
Churches
installation examples

innovative employers

..Employer perspective –Ben Stowe says that “Bradley is 
an example of the fact that people should not judge people 
by their shoes. We are also welcoming back Joe after a 
massive stroke in 2005. Both Joe and Bradley are key 
members of our team”
..The whole team is proud of Bradley’s accomplishments 
and they all have seen his growth in the 10 years that 
he has been employed.
..Bradley nominated the company, because he felt that 
the company was an innovative employer – his variety of 
tasks are a good example.

NLFX – Bemidji

innovative employers

..Sam and Bradley have worked together for several years. 
..Supervisor perspective –Sam said, “I realized the potential 
for Bradley when I was trying to find a programming error in 
HTML… and Bradley found it very quickly.”
..Employee perspective – Bradley: “I like the whole package 
of what I do here, especially the music.”


NLFX – Bemidji

innovative employers

..Noble Parkway Mobil is a state of the art facility that 
can meet all of your automotive needs from fueling, 
servicing, towing to washing.
..A convenience store, deli and Verizon provide 
complimentary services in a friendly and comfortable 
atmosphere.
..52 employees work with Bryan Boesento assist customers. 


Noble Parkway Mobil – Brooklyn Park


innovative employers

..Employer perspective –Bryan Boesen, Noble Parkway 
Mobil manager says that everybody needs a chance to work. 
His employees with developmental disabilities are great 
assets to his team and for his organization.
..Ehren and Delorean have a wide variety of tasks, 
and areas wherethey excel are monitoring the tunnel 
car wash equipment and helping with the variety of 
car wash processes. 


Noble Parkway Mobil – Brooklyn Park


innovative employers

..Employee perspective –Ehren has worked with 
Bryan for five years. He, “likes to come here 
even on my days off.”
..In addition to stocking the cooler, he 
monitors the chemical levels in the car 
wash and provides services as each car 
enters the wash. 



..Employee perspective –Delorean is hoping to 
expand his hours working with the car wash and 
stocking shelves. 
..Delorean: “We’re older and we take pride 
in our work”

Noble Parkway Mobil – Brooklyn Park

innovative employers

..Northeast Metro 916 is one of three intermediate 
school districts in the metropolitan area of 
St. Paul and Minneapolis. 
..Providing programs and services in three core 
areas of our mission: special education, career 
and technical education, and educational services. 


Northeast Metro 916 – White Bear Lake 


..Employer perspective – Dr. Antoinette Johns: 
“The Digital Imaging Program is a successful 
combination of real work for the district and 
also a career teaching model.”
..Employer perspective –Cindy Sapinski and Jan 
Triplett both said “we are building a curriculum 
on digital imaging and our services for the district 
are proving to these student employees that they have 
highly desirable job skills.”

Northeast Metro 916 – White Bear Lake 

innovative employers

..Employee perspective –Alex does most of the 
document preparation as a key member of the 
Digital Imaging team. Her attention to detail 
and confidentiality are key aspects of her 
success in this job. 
..Employee perspective –Scott is shown setting 
up a document image. His typing and computer 
skills help drive the productivity of the team. 
It is not unusual for the team to process 
1,500 images per day. 

Northeast Metro 916 – White Bear Lake 

innovative employers

..Sefar Printing Solutions, Inc. largest supplier 
of stretched screens in North America.

..With technical expertise for polyester, wire and 
fully-coated fabrics, Sefar is capable of stretching 
screens for all market segments: graphics,textile, 
container, pen, electronics, solar, optical disc and 
membrane switch.


Sefar Printing Solutions Inc.– Arden Hills

Sefar Headquarters
Screen Mesh
Frames

innovative employers

..Employer perspective – Jim McMahon, the Sefar 
Production Supervisor, is new to working with 
Brad and said Brad is a key member of the team.
..Examples of Brad’s daily tasks are scraping 
and sand blasting screens to clean them in 
preparation for another use, stretching materials 
onto the frames and moving supplies and frames 
to their specific storage locations. 
..Jim: “We are adding roles and training to meet 
Brad’s interests. He wants to 
expand his knowledge and his contribution… and we 
want to help him do just that.”


Sefar Printing Solutions Inc.– Arden Hills

innovative employers

..Brad does a wide variety of tasks as part of 
the Sefar Production Team. 
..Employer perspective –Brad has a lot of experience 
with our processes and he is a very important 
member of our team. He helps with sand blasting and 
cleaning the frames as well as bricking them. 


Sefar Printing Solutions Inc. – Arden Hills

innovative employers

..University of Minnesota’s Equine Center will 
lead the world in integrating animal 
science and veterinary medical programs. 
..Identified as a "Program of Excellence" 
within the CVM in conjunction with the 
University's initiative to become one of 
the top three research Universities 
worldwide within the next ten years. 
..Achieving this by developing a common 
equine facility focused onmeeting the 
increasing need for equine education, 
veterinary services, scientific advances, 
and outreach programs related to horses. 


University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary 
Medicine – St. Paul


innovative employers

..Employer perspective –Sheryl Ferguson, Large 
Animal Hospital Manager: “Brian is a huge bonus 
to our team because he does a great job. Brian 
provides service with a smile and definitely 
has pride in his work.”
..Employer perspective –Sergio Gonzales, Hospital 
Crew Supervisor: “Brian is my right hand man. He 
knows how to do the tasks and works with the same 
training as the student workers.”

University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary 
Medicine – St. Paul

innovative employers

..Employee perspective –Brian has been an 
Animal Care Assistant for about a year; 
prior to that he worked for another department 
at the University of Minnesota. 
..Brian likes the activity of both the horses 
and cows in the two centers where he works. 
He is busy daily cleaning stalls, moving the 
horses, and assisting in feeding as well as 
any other tasks that Sergio suggests.


University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary 
Medicine – St. Paul


4:: 

summary

In Minnesota today 
there are good examples 
of innovative employers 
for people with developmental disabilities.

These employers will help build 
more opportunities by their example.


Thank You!

:: 

appendix

List of Other Nominations

1. Ameriprise Financial 
2. Beltmann Group
3. Buffalo Hospital 
4. Burger King
5. Celestica
6. City of Blaine
7. Custom Products 
8. Dakota Supply Group
9. Federal Premium Ammunition
10. Fortune Bay Resort and Casino
11. Henslin Auctions
12. Hoffman Engineering
13. HOM Furniture
14. Itron
15. Liberty Diversified Industries
16. Main Street Industries 
17. Medtronic
18. Midwest Coca Cola
19. Midway Training Services
20. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
21. Minco
22. Multi-tech Systems 
23. Pizza Barn
24. Pizza Ranch
25. Plastech Corp
26. Red Lobster
27. RELION Corporation
28. Riverview Community Bank
29. Rocco Altobelli
30. Rochester Community & Technical College
31. SRC
32. Titan Machinery