A very special year

 

When the ball drops as tonight turns into January 1, revelers the world over will be celebrating the successes of 2012 and the opportunities that lie ahead in the New Year. Commonwealth will have an extra special reason to celebrate -- 2013 marks our 25th Anniversary of being employee-owned.

Beginning in January, and running through mid-July, we'll be kicking off the festivities with fun monthly activities for employees at each of our locations. On July 26th, we'll be hosting a party and hearing from dynamic speaker Garrison Wynn at Jackson Community College's Potter Center, in the newly-renovated Robert Snyder Dining Hall. A legacy gift will be presented honoring all founding shareholders and original employees. The celebration will conclude on July 27th with a casual employee family picnic on the grounds of our headquarters in Jackson, Michigan. We couldn't be more excited! We hope you will take a few minutes now and again to visit our pages -- on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, and here -- to watch as this exciting year unfolds.

Whether 2012 year was your best year ever, saw some struggles, or landed somewhere in between, we now close the book on another chapter and, with gratitude and optimism, wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

-----

That's Music to Our Ears

It's official...

Commonwealth is cool!

Citing our Boiler Room Band, among other things, we snagged the coveted title of "Rockin' Place to Work."

Sure, we knew we like it, but there's something far cooler about seeing it in writing.

You can access the article here.
-----

On Location: Roanoke, Virginia

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learning more about us, we are featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations.  We are pleased to continue this week by introducing you to our Roanoke, Virginia office in America's picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.  We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Nicknamed "The Star City," Roanoke, Virginia is considered the cultural and business hub of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It is the fourth largest city in the state and is home to many cultural attractions.  Roanoke's bustling city center is filled with lovely historic buildings, amazing upscale restaurants, and great shops.  It's easy to spend a whole day just exploring the blocks of this amazing area.  You may wish to stop by the historic City Market to see the produce and wares grown and created by local producers, especially as Roanoke is located within the designated "North Fork of Roanoke" winemaking region.

Love the outdoors?  Try hiking, biking, walking nature trails, fishing, and paddling in the cool, clear waters.  You'll find an abundance of natural choices in Roanoke with 69 parks, 5 greenways, Carvin's Cove, the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, and Appalachian Trail.

The Roanoke Valley is conveniently located off of Interstate 81 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at the southern tip of the Shenandoah Valley.  Experience the railroad heritage, take in the arts and culture, shop, eat, and enjoy the wealth of outdoor recreation in the heart of breaktaking mountains.  Surrounded by scenic beauty, the Roanoke region is a perfect place for Commonwealth employees to live and work. 

Soak in the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Experience Roanoke's exciting nightlife

Follow your rising star to "The Star City"

Shop, dine, and explore in downtown Roanoke

Pretty as a picture!

Children of all ages enjoy the Shenandoah Valley's rich railroad heritage

Just a few of the highlights:

• Taubman Art Museum
• Center in the Square
• Mill Mountain Zoo
• Discovery Center 
• The Art Museum of Western Virginia
• The Science Museum of Western Virginia
• History Museum of Western Virginia