Paychecks matter. But people and purpose can be equally important when it comes to work. For many of us, culture — a mix of values, personalities, ideas, and shared goals — is the glue that brings us and binds us to the workplace.
LHB’s culture can’t be defined in a single word — but certain adjectives do surface when our staff and clients describe our people and work: reliable, professional, solutions-oriented, easy-going. In recent years, we’ve consistently made the list of Best Places to Work published by The Minnesota Star Tribune, and our internal surveys indicate deep satisfaction with the experience we offer our 240 employees.
What makes LHB a great place to work? We recently asked a handful of employees to answer that question. Here’s what they had to say.
Our work is satisfying — and meaningful
From streets to schools, offices to shelters, LHB’s projects result in places and structures that help communities grow in positive ways.
“The best part of being an architect is helping a client figure out how to help others,” says LHB senior architect Matt Finn, who works on housing projects. “We are making an impact not just on the folks that are using the buildings, but also on how the buildings we design contribute to their immediate neighborhood.”
Brooke Korpi, a senior electrical designer at LHB, values the firm’s contributions to communities’ health, education, and safety. “We are touching hospitals and schools and roadways, encouraging safety and improving the designs of buildings [in ways that] allow people to thrive,” she says.
Our people support each other
Companies achieve goals that individuals typically can’t reach on their own. So, it’s important to develop a sense of teamwork and mutual support. Brad Reifsteck, who joined our team as a senior project manager in early 2024, says he felt the support of his colleagues from the first day on the job.
“I was instantly impressed by the diverse talent and the deep commitment to fostering relationships, both internally and with our clients,” Brad says. “Our focus on family, community, and one another creates an environment where everyone can build meaningful connections. This mutual support not only strengthens our sense of belonging but also significantly enhances our productivity.”
We challenge each other to do our best work
Our firm does great work — but we genuinely believe that our best projects are yet to be realized. The people on our teams support each other, but they also push each other to seek out new solutions and experiment with new ideas.
“I think one big thing that our team at LHB does is, we’re really good at [not only] congratulating each other and encouraging each other on what we did well, but also highlighting what we can improve on,” Brooke says. Such challenges are invigorating, and the result is often an outcome that no one anticipated — but that impresses everyone.
Our flat structure encourages participation
Kim Becker, a project assistant with our human resources team, says she was surprised by how friendly and accessible everyone was when she joined LHB two years ago. People were approachable and open to ideas.
“If I have a question on a process, I feel comfortable walking up to any of our employees regardless of position in the company,” Kim says. “My previous employers had had a very distinct chain of command. At LHB, we have an open dialogue so we can all work for the greater good.”
We’re committed to work/life balance
Our clients have high expectations, and we work hard to meet them. But we also recognize that our employees are our most valuable resource. We want them to thrive both professionally and personally. We seek to support them in as many ways as possible.
“LHB supports employees’ interests outside of the office, including involvement in community boards and volunteering,” says senior project manager and certified senior interior designer Anne Porter, who currently chairs the chamber of commerce in Superior, Wis., her hometown. “This [support] fosters personal growth, fulfillment, and connection with the communities and clients we serve.”
While the intent is to boost personal development, Anne notes that involvement in community organizations often leads to relationships that become genuine business development opportunities. The benefits are multifold; the results are a win-win for the participants and LHB. ∎
Interested in learning more about LHB’s culture and career opportunities? Click here to see the latest job openings.
