NORMAL - Katie Kelly applied for a job at Starbucks because she liked the coffee.

Now a part-time shift supervisor at the Starbucks at the Shoppes at College Hills in Normal, Kelly has found a supportive group of co-workers working together for an organized company - so much so she's never worked for one that's better.

She's not alone in her thinking.

Fortune magazine recently named Starbucks as one of its 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2007. Google topped the list at No. 1. Other companies with a Twin City connection that made the cut include Cisco Systems, Edward Jones, Pella, Aflac, Marriott International and A.G. Edwards.

Local workers point to a company's focus on employees, benefit packages and professional training as reasons why.

"Starbucks gets a lot of bad publicity because they're a corporation and they're on every corner in some big cities, but what it comes down to is they take care of their employees better than anyone I've ever worked for," Kelly said.

Perks of the job

For starters, at Starbucks, employees - or partners as they call themselves - can participate in a 401k plan and buy company stock at a discounted rate. Students also can apply for a tuition reimbursement of up to $500 a semester.

Those are perks Kelly enjoys. The senior at Illinois State University lives paycheck to paycheck, so the tuition money provides some budget flexibility and the 401k helps her save.

Another perk is you don't have to work full time to get full benefits. It's what attracted Moira Foley, now assistant manager at Starbucks, when she applied.

"(Getting) benefits was an essential component for me. I needed benefits," Foley said. "Then I found out you only needed to work 20 hours a week, so that was awesome for me."

Charlie Norman, branch manager at A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. in Bloomington, also boasts of his company's benefits package. A.G. Edwards automatically contributes 5 percent of an employee's salary to a 401k, plus it gives 2 to 3 percent more in profit sharing.

"That's a huge benefit that's way over and above corporate America," he said.

Focus on employees

Foley said Starbucks also is a good company because it offers discounted day care, drug and alcohol counseling and an emergency cash fund.

Eric Raufer, financial adviser for Edward Jones, 2424 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington, said his company treats its employees well and when employees are happy, they work better with customers. Then customers are satisfied, and the company benefits.

Top companies often provide opportunities for their workers to continue to learn and grow in their professions.

In addition to its benefits, A.G. Edwards also puts time and resources into training to make work a rewarding experience, Norman said.

A.G. Edwards also is part of the all stars group - 18 companies that have been included on Fortune's list every year since it began in 1998.

"We're 10 for 10," Norman said.