Press Releases

May 10, 2006 — For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Donna Marbury, Communications Specialist, Ohio Chamber of Commerce
dmarbury@ohiochamber.com or 614-228-4201

Edward Jones, Resource Interactive Named Best Employers in Ohio
State Rankings Announced

COLUMBUS—The rankings for the Best Employers in Ohio were revealed at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Legislative Reception held Tuesday, May 9, 2006. The awards program, running for the first time in 2006, is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield and organized by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Society of Human Resource Management — Ohio State Council.

Edward Jones, with offices throughout Ohio, was named the best employer in the large category (200 employees or more). With more than 700 employees in Ohio, the financial services firm boasts of a low employee turnover rate due to programs that enhance work/life balance and encourage employee participation and input.

Resource Interactive was ranked first in the small/medium category (25-199 employees). Headquartered in Columbus, Resource Interactive is an interactive marketing company that offers incentives like a dry cleaning service and free parking. During annual meetings, the staff
celebrates the previous years’ accomplishments and participates in mini-workshops to strategize for the upcoming year.

Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson, who presented the awards, congratulated the winning companies on striving for excellence in business.

“As Ohio’s Best Employers, you are making the workplace the best it can be for your employees. And it’s widely known that happy employees are key in the day-to-day operation of a successful business. I applaud your success and recognize the importance of keeping our workforce satisfied – and possibly more importantly, keeping them right here in Ohio.”

The Best Employers in Ohio awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Ohio. To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

- Have at least 25 employees in Ohio - Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business - Be a publicly or privately held business - Have a facility in Ohio

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Employers in Ohio. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics.

This part of the process was worth approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75 percent of the total evaluation. The combined scores
determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Ohio with assistance from ModernThink LLC, who analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

-- 2006 Best Employers in Ohio Rankings --
Large Category (200 employees or more)
1. Edward Jones, offices throughout Ohio
2. The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Barberton
3. Southern Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth
4. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Elyria
5. EMP Management Group, Ltd., Canton
6. Sheetz, Inc., locations throughout Ohio
7. SS&G Financial Services, Solon
8. VSP, Canton
9. InfoCision Management Corp., Akron
10. The MetroHealth System, Cleveland

Small/Medium Category (25-199 employees)
1. Resource Interactive, Columbus
2. Crowe Chizek and Company LLC, offices throughout Ohio
3. Bridge Worldwide, Cincinnati
4. Catholic Healthcare Partners (headquarters), Cincinnati
5. Duke Realty Corporation, offices throughout Ohio
6. OEConnection LLC, Richfield
7. Rea & Associates, Inc., New Philadelphia
8. Hull & Associates, Inc., Dublin
9. Saeco USA, Inc., Glenwillow
10. The Connor Group, Centerville

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