West Virginia Executive Spring 2019 | Page 106

Wheeling’s Most Colorful Tribe “We feel really strongly that the values and the small-town feel of Wheeling are important,” says CEO Lisa Allen. “The connections run deep. If there is talent we’re looking for, we know where to look, and when there are situations where somebody needs help, we know how to solve those problems.” This deep connection and sense of place inspires Ziegenfelder employees and leadership to give back in a variety of ways, including donating products to community groups and volunteering monthly at a local soup kitchen. However, it is the company’s compassionate hiring practices that truly make a difference in the lives of fellow West Virginians. For more than 100 years, The Ziegenfelder Company has been synonymous with happiness as its frozen novelty treats—including its famous Twin Pops—made their way across the country tickling taste buds. With its home base in Wheeling, WV, Ziegenfelder has grown to produce 2 million twin pops per day and employ more than 300 people across its three facilities. While the opportunity to expand into other communities has presented itself, Wheeling will always be home. “We employ at all levels, and we feel that our hiring practices enable us to support and elevate the community by hiring people who need jobs,” says Allen. These employees make up the Zieggy Tribe—a name born out of the company’s people-centric philosophy. “To us, a tribe is a group of people who are not necessarily related but connected by a common culture, a common set of values, a common purpose and a common way of life,” says Allen. “The tribe concept is about us growing together and doing things inside our organization that impact and change lives. Our success happens because we’re connected.” Together, the Zieggy Tribe has overcome a lot of adversity, including a major fire at its Wheeling production facility in January that destroyed two production lines. While the fire temporarily halted production, Allen was more concerned about keeping people working, a true testament to the company’s values. “With everything that has happened recently, our ability to move forward is based on our own resiliency as a tribe and our belief in our products,” she says. “We aren’t saving the world or anything, but our products bring people together. You eat a popsicle, you smile, you feel better, and somehow you’re able to keep moving forward.” 87 18th Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 | (304) 232-6360 | budgetsaver.com