At Cornel’s Plumbing, Heating & Air in Portland, Oregon, culture is always top of mind, according to Westie Magnuson.
Magnuson’s official job title is chief people officer, so culture is an important part of his job duties. A testament to the approach Cornel’s has taken to develop a strong company culture is the fact that last year it was named one of Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, a list compiled by the publication Oregon Business. It showcases organizations across the state that have committed to best-in-class workplace practices, based on surveys sent to employees themselves. Employees rate their satisfaction with five features of the workplace: work environment; management and communications; mission and goals; career development and learning; and benefits and compensation.
“As we continue to grow, we recognize that our culture will naturally evolve — a company of 10 to 15 employees will feel very different from one with 40 to 50,” Magnuson says. “But while growth brings change, we are intentional about preserving the values and atmosphere that matter most to our team.”
So even though Cornel’s is now 45 employees strong, a far cry from the company’s earliest origins when founder Cornel Morariu was traveling to jobs on a bicycle in his home country of Romania, at its core it still tries to maintain certain values that have existed since the beginning.
“Building and maintaining a great workplace doesn’t happen in isolation,” Magnuson says. “The guidance and support of our leadership team are critical to my success. Their commitment to our people and shared vision for our company make it possible to cultivate a thriving culture as we scale.
“Cornel himself is a cornerstone of our culture. His collaborative spirit, positive attitude, and willingness to lend a hand set the tone for our entire team. Whenever I bring in candidates, I always hope to introduce them to Cornel. He greets everyone with a smile, asks their name, and genuinely welcomes them — even when they’re just interviewing. That simple interaction gives candidates an immediate sense of what makes Cornel’s special.”
Magnuson says it was a proud moment announcing to employees at last year's company holiday party that Cornel’s had earned a spot on Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.
“The turnout spoke volumes,” he says. “I’ve attended many holiday parties over the years, but this was the best-attended one I’ve ever seen, with all but three employees present. That level of engagement is a testament to our culture, and we are committed to keeping it strong as we continue to grow."
Read more about Cornel’s in the January 2026 issue of Plumber magazine.
