2023 Frederick Best Places to Work award winners - New categories!

The 2023 Annual Best Places to Work award winners were recognized recently at a reception at the Downtown Community Room at the ERUCC. Nearly 100 nominations were submitted, and 9 Frederick businesses proved why they came out on top for their specific industry category. People are the heart of Frederick County and it’s the businesses that support, encourage and celebrate their employees that deserve recognition.

In past years, the awards were given in five categories based on company size. This year, awards were based on nine industry categories: Manufacturing, Healthcare/Social Assistance, Hospitality & Food Services, Bioscience, Technology, Transportation & Warehousing, Skilled Trades, Business Professional Services and Retail Trade. “As a committee, we felt like it would mean more to the businesses to win in a category of their industry peers,” says Britt Swartzlander, Frederick County Office of Economic Development’s marketing specialist.

The 9 companies that were given awards were:

· Manufacturing – STULZ Air Technology Systems

· Healthcare & Social Assistance – Frederick Health

· Hospitality & Food Services – Plamondon Hospitality Partners

· Bioscience - Lonza

· Technology - Orases

· Transportation & Warehousing – FoodPRO

· Skilled Trades – Triangle Motors

· Business Professional Services – Woodsboro Bank

· Retail Trade – Colonial Jewelers

This event celebrates businesses that are creating a workplace that values and empowers their employees. As well, winners are highlighted in the August issue of Frederick Magazine.

Mayor Michael O’Connor for the City of Frederick shares, “Many of the award nominees are businesses which I am familiar with, and so it comes as no surprise that they were nominated for a Best Places to Work award. These companies are leaders in a combination of worker friendly policies including competitive wages, benefit packages, flexible and engaging work environments, employee recognition, advancement, and other innovative programs.”

Lara Fritts, Director of the Frederick County Division of Economic Opportunity adds, “This event is special because it highlights companies that put their employees first. One of our most valuable assets in Frederick County is our talented workforce, and these businesses are working hard to create an environment that attracts and retains top talent.”

About Best Places to Work

In its 20th year, The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program intended to foster efforts to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees. The awards program is a partnership among Frederick County Workforce Services, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.frederickbestplacestowork.com.

‘Frederick Best Places to Work’ Winners Receive Awards

The 2022 Annual Best Places to Work award winners were recognized at a reception at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center. Nearly 100 nominations were submitted, and 5 Frederick businesses proved that during challenging times, they adapted in ways that create a strong work environment for the companies and their employees. People are the heart of Frederick County and it’s the businesses that support, encourage and celebrate their people that deserve recognition.

Companies received awards in the primary award categories:

· Small Employer Category (1-10 employees) – New North

· Small to Medium Employer Category (11-30 employees) – Jay Day & The Day Home Team

· Medium to Large Medium Employer Category (31 -50 employees) – Frederick Air

· Large Employer Category (51-200 employees) – A2LA

· Major Employer Category (201+ employees) – Legal & General America

Held in person for the first time in 3 years, this event celebrates businesses that are creating a workplace that values and empowers their employees. As well, winners are highlighted in the August issue of Frederick Magazine.

“Frederick County is a great place to do business,” County Executive Jan Gardner said. “Our Best Places to Work awards showcase the innovative ways businesses keep their workforce engaged. Enjoying and even having fun at work adds to a healthy work-life balance and improves our overall high quality of life in Frederick County.”

"I congratulate all of these companies for their dedicated, forward-thinking efforts to create a healthy work environment and recognizing the value of putting the people in the organization first. The efforts of these leading companies go beyond just treating employees well. They extend to the families of their employees and the community in which they live. Our thriving business community is at the heart of what makes The City of Frederick such a wonderful place to live, work and play”, shared Michael O’Connor, Mayor of The City of Frederick.

About Best Places to Work

In its 20th year, The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program intended to foster efforts to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees. The 2022 awards program is a partnership among Frederick County Workforce Services, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.frederickbestplacestowork.com.

Frederick Best Places to Work’ Winners Receive Awards

Five Frederick area businesses were recognized for the 2021 Annual Best Places to Work awards on August 3. More than 100 nominations were submitted, and 5 companies rose to the top with unique twists on remote working, employee trainings and recognition, employee compensation and benefits, business culture, human resource metrics, special employee engagement programs and special efforts as we manage the new ‘normal’ of work.

Companies received awards in the primary award categories:

• Small Employer Category (1-10 employees) – Octavo Designs

• Small to Medium Employer Category (11-30 employees) – Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates

• Medium to Large Medium Employer Category (31 -50 employees) – Dynamic Automotive

• Large Employer Category (51-200 employees) –Dustin Construction

• Major Employer Category (201+ employees) – Frederick National Labs

Due to ongoing public health concerns, the awards celebration was again transitioned to a virtual platform and winners were presented with awards at their places of business. As well, winners are highlighted in the August issue of Frederick Magazine.

“Frederick County is filled with creative employers who go above and beyond to bring out the best in their employees and help them shine,” County Executive Jan Gardner said. “Congratulations to this year’s Best Places to Work. You are leading the way and demonstrating that Frederick County is a great place to do business!”

“For the last eighteen months, our employers have had to rethink and adapt in many ways. It is clear through my conversations with business owners that taking care of their employees has been one of their highest priorities,” shared Michael O’Connor, Mayor of The City of Frederick. “The companies honored this year as a “best place to work” are shining examples, showcasing that treating employees well can multiply into invested families, engaged customers, and vibrant communities. Thank you and congratulations!”

About Best Places to Work

The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program intended to foster efforts to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees. The 2021 awards program is a partnership among Frederick County Workforce Services, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.frederickbestplacestowork.com.

Virtual Awards Highlight Outstanding Local Employers

For nearly two decades, the Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards – hosted by The City of Frederick, Frederick County Workforce Services, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce - have recognized the business and organizations that make our community so special. From offering exceptional benefits, to accommodating family needs, to providing fun perks for employees, these employers stand out from the rest for the workplace environment they provide. 

This year, the following companies were honored as “Frederick County’s Best Places to Work”: 

• Small Employer Category (1-10 employees) – Datakwip

• Small to Medium Employer Category (11-30 employees) – Frederick Mutual Insurance

• Medium to Large Medium Employer Category (31 -50 employees) – VaLogic LLC

• Large Employer Category (51-200 employees) – The Emmes Company

• Major Employer Category (201+ employees) – Frederick County Public Schools 

Due to current public health concerns, this year the awards celebration has transitioned to a virtual platform. A special awards video featuring each winning company is now available online. Winners will also be highlighted in the August issue of “Frederick” magazine.

“This year, perhaps more than ever before, we have been reminded of the tremendous responsibility born by employers -- on behalf of both their direct workforce and our community. In recent months, I have been awed by the unwavering commitment to their personnel that I have witnessed at so many local companies,” said Mayor Michael O’Connor. “This new perspective gives special meaning to the award bestowed upon these five companies. I congratulate these businesses that have stood out as our community’s most dedicated, innovative, and forward-thinking employers. Thank you for your significant contribution to Frederick’s quality of life.”  

“Frederick County’s businesses have found innovative and creative ways to work during this unprecedented time,” Executive Jan Gardner said. “Our businesses are the heart of our community.  I am extremely proud of the versatility and ingenuity so many have shown, from our smallest firms to our major employers, to protect and value their employees as they provide top-notch services and goods. Kudos to this year’s Best Places to Work winners! You help make Frederick County the best place to live, work and raise a family, and you prove that Frederick County is a great place to business.”

For more information on this year’s winners and previous celebrations, please visit www.frederickbestplacestowork.com.

About Best Places to Work

The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program intended to foster efforts to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees. The 2020 awards program is a partnership among Frederick County Workforce Services, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit www.frederickbestplacestowork.com.

Frederick Best Places to Work’ Honored

Several Frederick area businesses were recognized at the Annual Best Places to Work awards program at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Frederick, Maryland, on July 30.  More than 100 nominations were submitted, and five companies stood out after judges completed the scoring.

 Companies received awards in the primary award categories:

Small Employer Category (1-10 employees) – Jim Bass Group of Real Estate Teams
Small to Medium Employer Category (11-30 employees) – Orases
Medium to Large Medium Employer Category (31 -50 employees) – RoosterBio
Large Employer Category (51-200 employees) –Asbury Communities
Major Employer Category (201+ employees) – AstraZeneca

Winners are highlighted in the August issue of “Frederick” magazine.

 Scoring categories included work-life balance, median salary, turnover rate, benefits and professional growth, as well as this year’s theme: Companies that understand having fun in the work day creates happy employees.

 “I congratulate, and appreciate, that two of the five major category winners are based in The City of Frederick,” said Mayor Michael O’Connor. “A great place to work, as defined in this award, has an impact on every layer of life and in a community. We can’t put a price on that value, and good for them, setting this standard we should all emulate.”

 Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner said, “The annual Best Places to Work program showcased employers who recognize that their employees want to be happy, both in the work place and at home.  They know how important a work-life balance is to their most important resource, their employees.  By doing this, these businesses add to the quality of life in Frederick County. Congratulations to the businesses who received awards.”

 In addition to major category award winners, three additional companies that stood out for showing that they know how to have fun during the work day while still getting the job done, were highlighted in a video. Those businesses are Matan Companies, Z Video Relay Service and Surelocked In Escape Games. The video can be found at www.frederickbestplacestowork.com

 About Best Places to Work

The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program intended to foster efforts to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees. The 2019 awards program is a partnership among Frederick County Workforce Services, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit www.frederickbestplacestowork.com.