Michigan Business and Professional Association Announces Winners of ‘Best & brightest Companies’ for Oct. 12 Event at Dearborn Center
August 30, 2006 - Despite a tough economic climate in metro Detroit, companies are working harder than ever to keep and attract the best employees. A number of companies - 101 to be exact - will be honored as "Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" on Thurs., Oct. 12 at the Conference and Events Center in Dearborn, Mich.
The Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA), which presents this awards program, received several hundred nominations from companies vying to be named one of "Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For."
Jennifer Kluge, MBPA chief operating officer and a veteran human resources manager, said, "It is easy to understand why we have received so many nominations this year. Companies that are successful know their business achievements can be attributed to their employees, which is why they draw on imagination and experience to create the best Human Resource practices within their company. Their accomplishments should be recognized."
The 6th annual human resources symposium and awards gala showcases local companies committed to exceptional human resource practices and will be emceed by Murray Feldman of FOX 2 News and Carol Cain from the Detroit Free Press.
The event will kick off with registration, networking and an exhibit gallery at 7:45 a.m., followed by a series of interactive educational workshops on human resources practices at 8:30 a.m. This year’s sessions include "Connecting Employee Loyalty to Customer Retention," International Business Practices," "Empowerment to Productivity" and "Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Planning." The luncheon and awards ceremony begin at 11:30 a.m.
This year’s winning companies acknowledge that employees are their greatest asset and work with conviction to create organizational value and business results through their people. They have proved to be innovative when it comes to demonstrating their commitment to their employees and represent the leading edge in human resources practices in industries as diverse as manufacturing, insurance, healthcare, communications and non-profit. (See following list of winners.)
The awards for 2006 "Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" include the following categories: Communication, Community Initiatives, Compensation and Benefits, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Employee Education and Development, Employee Engagement and Commitment, Recognition and Retention, Recruitment and Selection, and Work-Life Balance.
Winning 101 companies also compete for nine elite awards, one granted for each category. An overall winner, who has excelled in all categories, is honored with a "Best of the Best" award. The 10 winners of these awards will be announced during the luncheon. An independent research firm evaluates each company’s entry based on a number of key measures.
Tickets for the event symposium and awards lunch are $135 for MBPA members; $165 for non-members. Sponsorships are also available. Please contact the Michigan Business and Professional Association’s events team at 586-393-8800 or visit
www.101bestandbrightest.com.
The 101 Best and Brightest event is sponsored by American Express, AT&T Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Corp! Magazine, DaimlerChrysler, Davenport University, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Free Press, DTE Energy, Human Resources Association of Greater Detroit, Pepsi Cola Company, Think Arbor, WJBK-FOX 2, and WWJ NEWSRADIO 950.
The "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" are presented annually in three markets: Metro Detroit, Chicago and Western Michigan. Nominations are now being accepted for 2007. Visit
www.101bestandbrightest.com to obtain an application.
METROPOLITAN DETROIT’S 101 BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR
2006 WINNERS
| Albert Kahn Associates Inc. | Gordon Advisors, P.C. |
| ALCOS | G-TECH Professional Staffing |
| Altair Engineering, Inc. |
Halo Group |
| American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Handleman Company |
| American Community Mutual Insurance Company | Harley Ellis Devereaux |
| Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company | Human Capital |
| Arrow Strategies | Humantech, Inc. |
| ArvinMeritor, Inc. | Huntington National Bank |
| Atwell-Hicks, LLC | Identity Marketing & Public Relations |
| Barton Malow Company | Industrial Control Repair |
| BDO Seidman, LLP | Inergy Automotive Systems, LLC |
| bd's mongolian barbeque | ITCTransmission |
| Beaumont Hospitals | JARC |
| Big Communications, Inc. | KPMG LLP |
| Bridgewater Interiors, LLC | Lumen Legal |
| Brogan & Partners | McGraw Wentworth |
| Budco | Meadowbrook Insurance Group |
| Cambridge Financial Services, Inc. | MidWest Financial Credit Union |
| Clayton & McKervey, P.C. | MiPro Consulting, LLC |
| Clear!Blue | MSW Group, PLC |
| Comcast | Nemeth Burwell, P.C. |
| Comerica Bank | Netarx Inc. |
| Community Financial | NTH Consultants, Ltd. |
| Computer and Engineering Services, Inc. | Oakwood Healthcare, Inc. |
| Computer Consultants of America, Inc. | Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment |
| Compuware Corporation | Otterbase Technical Services |
| Continental Automotive Systems (CAS) | PCGCampbell |
| Conway MacKenzie & Dunleavy | Peoples State Bank |
| Co-op Services Credit Union | Plunkett & Cooney, P.C. |
| Deloitte & Touche USA LLP | Pulte Homes |
| Delta Staffing | Quicken Loans/ Rock Financial |
| DeMaria Building Company, Inc. | REDICO |
| Detroit Athletic Clubv Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau | Research Federal Credit Union |
| DFCU Financial | Service Express, Inc. |
| Domino’s Pizza | Spring Engineering & Manufacturing |
| DTE Energy | St. John Health |
| E.W. Grobbel Sons, Inc. | StaffPro America, Inc. |
| Easter Seals - Michigan, Inc. | Strategic Staffing Solutions |
| Employees Only | Taubman Centers, Inc. |
| Enterprise Rent-A-Car | The Nailco Group |
| Ernst & Young, LLP | The Rains Group, Inc. |
| Etkin Equities | UHY Advisors MI. Inc. |
| FANUC Robotics America, Inc | Valassis |
| Farbman Group | Variant Partners |
| Fifth Third Bank | Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP |
| Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. | Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan |
| Flagstar Bank | Volkswagen of America, Inc. |
| Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc | Wade-Trim Group, Inc. |
| Garden City Hospital | Walbridge Aldinger |
| Ghafari Associates, LLC | Xede Consulting Group |
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Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 160,0000 persons. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive group insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA).