Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) has been named the healthiest employer in San Antonio by the San Antonio Business Journal. The credit union topped the list for large employers in the annual survey that showcases those employers who proactively shape the health and wellness of their employees.
This year’s awards event took place at the Historic Pearl Development in downtown San Antonio and included a one-mile fitness walk and a health fair.
Back Row: SSFCU Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer John Worthington; SSFCU Employee Wellbeing Advisor Karyn Draeger; SSFCU Senior Vice President of Performance & Planning Tom Martin; SSFCU Assistant Vice President of Human Resources Gerry Smith; and SSFCU Benefits and Compensation Manager Amanda Kassler Front Row: SSFCU Vice President of Consumer Lending Michelle Scott; SSFCU Benefits Specialist Flori Espinosa; SSFCU Assistant Vice President of Benefits & Compensation Anne Hoeffner
“We believe when employees feel their workplace has a strong culture of health, they are happier, less stressed and more likely to improve their well-being,” says Jim Laffoon president and chief executive officer of SSFCU. “That benefits them, their families, the workplace and our members.”
Conceived and promoted by Laffoon to help employees and their families achieve a good life-work balance and strong financial footing, the credit union earlier this year rolled out its Total Wellbeing program to its more than 1,700 employees. It offers employees and their families an individualized comprehensive life balance program at no cost that takes into account their physical, emotional and financial health. Benefits include tools, resources and rewards to help them achieve their physical goals; reduced rates and fees on select financial products; confidential advising for help navigating personal challenges; concierge services and legal and financial help.
In cities where SSFCU branches are located, employees are encouraged to participate in local community events, like the Blacklight Run in San Antonio, Dragon Boat Races in Denver and Iron Will Games in Salt Lake City. “We pay for our employees to participate in these events, many of which are fundraisers for nonprofits…it’s a win-win all the way around,” adds Laffoon.
The credit union also received accolades for it’s wellness program in Denver, coming in second place in the 2014 Metro Denver Healthiest Employers category for small companies. It is the third year the credit union has made the top five.
About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $8 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org <http://www.ssfcu.org> or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.
Tiffany Stevens
For more than 25 years, Phyllis Browning Company has served buyers and sellers of high-quality real estate in the greater San Antonio area, the Hill Country, and throughout South Texas. A key component of this dedication includes serving as a source of knowledge and information, whether specific to ranches, luxury high-rise condominiums, historic gems, or Hill Country properties—or to the market as a whole. Stevens’s approach also aligns with the company’s belief in forming genuine relationships with clients and building on those over the years. Phyllis Browning Company continues their commitment to being The Very Best in service, ethics, technology, information, and community. Find a REALTOR® and view current listings at 
Ranch Hand Truckfitters has partnered with San Antonio’s Country Station KJ97 and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo to present the 2014 BBQ Cookoff and Festival September 26-27th, 2014.
Ranch Hand, doing business for over a century, manufactures heavy duty, high quality Grille Guards, Front End Replacements (Legend Series, Summit Series, Bullnose, and Winch Ready), Back Bumpers, Headache Rack Systems, Bed Rails, Steps, and Toolboxes for Chevy Ford, GMC, Jeep, Ram, and Toyota trucks and SUVs. The Ranch Hand logo has been recognized in the truck accessory industry since 1986 as the symbol of quality and safety.
When you call the Texas Hill Country home and you happen to be the only resort in Texas that features a FlowRider® machine creating perfect waves every day of the year, what better way to celebrate October than with terrific brews, fabulous German food and tasty waves? Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is throwing an Oktoberfest like no other, so come say hello to fall and make a splash during the hotel’s festive, fun-filled evening of craft beers, dancing, all of your favorite German foods and enjoy the hotel’s famous five-acres of water fun while you’re at it on Saturday, October 4, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $18 for adults and $12 for children ages 6-12, while children 5 and under are free. The admission price includes food, entertainment, one drink ticket and parking. A cash bar will be available to purchase beer, wine, cocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages for additional purchase after the use of the one drink ticket. So where does the splash come in? Tickets for the event also include access to the resort’s pools and waterpark from noon – 8 p.m. on the day of the event, making sure that you can wet both your whistle and your bathing suit during this special Oktoberfest. Tickets may be purchased by calling the resort at 210-767-7999.
Brews featured during the festivities include Texas Craft Beers and German Oktoberfest and Fall beers such as St. Arnold’s Octoberfest, Karbach Krunkin Pumpkin, Hacker Pschorr Marzen Amber Ocktoberfest, Erdinger Hefe Weissbier Dark, Hofbrau Maibock, and Paulaner Oktoberfest among others. There may even be a few surprises to tempt your beer taste buds—like growlers for sale—and a full bar with other beers, wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available to quench the thirst you work up while demonstrating your best German polka.
There’s nothing like a fantastic German feast to accompany your beer and Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort’s delicious food stations definitely fill the bill. With traditional German favorites such as Slow Cooked Sauerbraten and Egg Noodles, Shiner Bock Bratwursts, Braised Red Cabbage, Roasted Chicken with Beer and Onion Sauce, Warm Potato Salad, Pumpernickel Bread, Pretzel Rolls, Molasses and Honey Pfeffernuesse cookies, German Chocolate cake and much more, you’re sure to feel like you’ve stepped into a German brewhouse for a meal.
Jump In, The Water is Fine: Five Acres of Water Fun Welcomes Oktober
Make it a Getaway!
Weaver, the largest independent accounting firm in the Southwest, announces that the firm received INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) magazine’s 2014 Best of the Best firms recognition.
“The IPA Best of the Best firms represent the pinnacle of high-performing firms in the United States. Each firm demonstrates the right combination of vision, planning, training and execution to deliver superior performance,” said Michael Platt, principal of the Platt Group and publisher of the accounting trade publication, INSIDE Public Accounting. “We congratulate this year’s Best of the Best and welcome them to this exclusive group of high-performing firms.”
Saturday, Sept. 27, the American Diabetes Association will host the 8th Annual Por Tu Familia Conferencia, sponsored by H-E-B. This FREE event includes activities such as: interactive bilingual educational workshops presented by physicians, nurses and diabetes educators, health information and resources for the whole family, free health screenings, cooking demonstrations by HEB, and giveaways and prizes.
The Boards of Directors of San Antonio Water System Federal Credit Union (SAWS FCU) and Generations Federal Credit Union (Generations FCU) have announced their intent to merge. The merger was approved by SAWS FCU members at a special meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 and had previously been approved by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
As part of our efforts to improve business resources for our members, the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is now offering an online training web shop – thanks to a partnership with 
The North SA Chamber is continuing to meet the needs of businesses for a readied workforce. The Job Bank is a no-cost tool to for member businesses to access a larger pool of applicants, and the online search tool is a free community resource to job seekers.
Frost’s DeZavala Financial Center will host a Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 13, from 9:00am – 12:00pm, where guests can enjoy a number of family-friendly activities. A petting zoo will be on site with visiting ducks, chickens, goats, pigs, and rabbits for the children to pet and feed. A balloon twister will entertain the children while Aspen’s Brew gets the morning started right with freshly brewed coffee and pastries. If guests are still hungry they can look for the famous Chick-fil-A Cow, who will be on hand with party trays and refreshments. The event wouldn’t be complete without a live performance from the Clark High School Band. While enjoying the festivities, guests can enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, compliments of Frost. Lastly, Frost encourages guests to take advantage of the child ID kits and fingerprinting that will be on hand during the event. The event and activities are free and open to the public.