Finalists for the 2008 “Best Places to Work”

Reno, Nev. (April 2, 2008) - - A diverse group of 49 employers are finalists in the inaugural “Greater Reno-Tahoe Best Places to Work” awards. The finalists were chosen from more than 120 companies that were nominated based on employee satisfaction surveys and meeting the award program requirements. Winners of the awards will be announced at EDAWN’s Annual Luncheon and 25th Anniversary on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

Finalist and winning companies fall into three categories: small, medium and large, according to number of employees. One winning company will be chosen from each category based on scores from confidential employee surveys that focus on ten criteria of a best place to work including: team effectiveness, trust with coworkers, individual contributions, manager effectiveness, feeling valued and people practices, among others. Awards for second and third place in each category will also be presented. EDAWN, the Reno Gazette-Journal and the Northern Nevada Human Resources Association co-sponsor the program and awards.

Finalists in the small company (15-50 employees) category are: Applied Staffing Solutions, LLC; BJG| Architecture + Engineering; Bosma Group PC; Broadbent and Associates, Inc; CFA Inc; Charter Media; CSG Direct Inc; Forbes and Dunagan, Inc; Great Basin Internet Services, Inc; Griffin Transport Services Inc; Hidden Valley Country Club; Hire Dynamics; IQ Systems; Kiley Ranch Communities; Land Resource Investments, Inc; McDonald Carano LLP; Miller Heiman; NAI Alliance; PENTA Building Group; PK Electrical, Inc; Places Consulting Services; Pro Group Management; R&R Partners; Reno JobConnect; Schneider Logistics; Taiyo America, Inc; and Tanamera Commercial Development, LLC.

Finalists in the medium company (51-150 employees) category are: Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows; Classic Residence by Hyatt in Reno; First Independent Bank of Nevada; Grant Thornton LLP; Great Basin Federal Credit Union; Hale Lane Peek Dennison and Howard; Haws Corporation; Lucini/Parish – ABD Insurance and Financial Services; PC-Doctor, Inc; Server Technology; Snap-on Tools; and Vitamin Research Products.

Finalists in the large company (151 or above employees) category are: Charles River Laboratories/PCS Nevada; EBARA International Corporation; EMPLOYERS; Granite Construction; Greater Nevada Credit Union; Harrah’s/ Harveys and Bill’s at Lake Tahoe; Intuit Inc; Microsoft Licensing GP; Patagonia; and REMSA.

EDAWN’s Annual Luncheon will feature keynote speaker Chris Weber, vice president at Microsoft, discussing how the world’s leading software company continues to top national rankings as a “Best Place to Work” by Forbes magazine. Weber will share how Microsoft’s innovative employee programs and work environment contribute to high employee satisfaction and effectiveness.

EDAWN’s Annual Luncheon marks the organization’s 25 years of regional economic diversification efforts by recruiting, expanding, retaining and starting up companies that add high-paying new jobs and improve the quality of life for communities in Greater Reno-Tahoe.

Tickets to EDAWN’s Annual Luncheon and 25th Anniversary Celebration are $65 per person or $650 for a table of 10. Sponsorships are $2,600 and include a table of 10. For tickets or more information, visit www.edawn.org/luncheon or call 775.829.3712.

About EDAWN: EDAWN is a private, non-profit corporation founded by community leaders in 1982.  EDAWN works to recruit and expand quality companies that have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Tahoe.  Reno was named the No. 1 Place for Doing Business in America 2005 by Inc. magazine.  For more information, visit www.edawn.org.

About NNHRA: The Northern Nevada Human Resources Association is the area’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The association is a non-profit affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

About Reno Gazette-Journal: The RGJ is Northern Nevada's leading source for local news and information.  The RGJ's extensive family of print and digital media provides engaging, relevant and timely news and information for the communities they serve.