Best Places to Work in Frederick County Honored

The best places to work in Frederick County were honored this evening in front of a standing room only crowd at the Delaplaine Visual Arts & Education Center.

The Best Places to Work Campaign is a partnership of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and Frederick County Workforce Services. Now in its 13 year, the survey opens up every spring to all Frederick County businesses and employees and winners are selected based on employment size, median salary, voluntary turnover rate, benefits, leave options, charitable contributions, professional growth opportunities, diversity and sustainability practices.

Taking home the major category awards were:

Small Employer (1-10 employees)

Winner - Antietam Technologies

Honorable Mention - United Way of Frederick County

Medium Employer (11-50 employees)

Winner - NASW Assurance Services (ASI)

Honorable Mention - Go Ape

Large Employer (51-200 employees)

Winner - Nymeo

Honorable Mention - U.S. Silica

Major Employer ( 200+ employees)

Winner - AstraZeneca

Honorable Mention - Plamondon Companies

From L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Tony Benedetto - NASW Assurance Services (ASI), Michelle Michael - AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Victoria Johnston - Nymeo, Richard Fouke - Antietam Technologies, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner

In addition to category award winners, six businesses were recognized with the “Unsung Hero in the Workplace” award. This award recognizes owners or presidents of companies who go above and beyond to connect with their employees. The 2015 Unsung Heroes in the Workplace are:

• Business Management Company, Inc. - Brett Hess
• Regent Education - Randy Jones
• SoldierFit - Danny Farrar and Dave Posin
• Clagett Enterprises - Galen Clagett
• Essential Systems Solutions - Michael Tash and Jason Thompson
•  Olde Towne Title - Peach Lapkoff

From L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Danny Farrar - Soldierfit, Michael Tash - Essential Systems Solutions, Inc, Peach Lapkoff - Olde Towne Title, Galen Clagett - Clagett Enterprises, Brett Hess - Business Management Company, Inc, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner. Not pictured: Randy Jones - Regent Education.

Two surprise awards were given out this year for "Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity" and "Most Creative Workplace Environment". Winning the "Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity" this year was Edward Jones with 10 locations throughout Frederick County. The "Most Creative Workplace Environment" Award went to CAS Engineering.

From L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Jay Wandalowski - Edward Jones Investments, Linda Hobbs - Edward Jones Investments, Curt Schreffler - CAS Engineering, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner

Helen Propheter, Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development said, "These companies join an elite group of businesses committed to retaining exceptional employees and their success. We are proud of the 2015 Best Places to Work recipients and proud that they chose Frederick County as their place to call home."

To view additional photographs from the evening's event, please click here.