Elite Winners of '101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For' Were Announced Today by the Michigan Business & Professional Association

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the 10th Annual "Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" awards luncheon held today at The Dearborn Inn, the winning companies were announced by the Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA). The winning 101 metro Detroit companies represent progressive human resources and offer innovative employee initiatives.

All 101 Best and Brightest winners were celebrated today for their achievement in 11 categories: Communication, Community Initiatives, Compensation and Benefits, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Employee Education and Development, Employee Engagement and Commitment, Recognition and Retention, Recruitment and Selection, Work-Life Balance, Small Business and the "Best of the Best" Award.

Of the 11 award categories one elite winning company was selected from each category. Elite winners are selected based on their high scores and then named an Elite winner in their respective category.

Elite Award winners of 2009, one in each category, include:

    CATEGORY                             COMPANY
    Communication                        Ernst & Young LLP (Detroit)
    Community Initiatives                Fifth Third Bank (Southfield)
    Compensation and Benefits            Turner Construction (Detroit)
    Diversity and Multiculturalism       Henry Ford Health System (Detroit)
    Employee Education and Development   McGraw Wentworth (Troy)
    Employee Engagement & Commitment     Digitas (Detroit)
    Recognition and Retention            Easter Seals of Michigan (Waterford)
    Recruitment and Selection            Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc.
      (Livonia)
    Work-Life Balance                    The Rehmann Group (Troy)
    Small Business                       Netarx (Auburn Hills)
    "Best of the Best" Award             Arrow Strategies (Bloomfield Hills)

"It takes exceptional commitment to one's employees to be named an Elite Winner. Elite companies cultivate company values that promote open communication, competitive benefits, employee enrichment and work-life balance as essential to employees' satisfaction," said Jennifer Kluge, COO and executive vice president of the Michigan Business & Professional Association.

The highest award, "Best of the Best," was presented to Arrow Strategies of Bloomfield Hills, MI, for excelling in all categories and because of its dedication to human resource strategies that reward employees with not only competitive compensation and benefits, but also through open communication, work-life balance, diversity, community initiatives, and other key factors.

The 101 Best and Brightest event is sponsored by WDIV-Local 4, WXZ-TV Channel 7, AT&T Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Corp!, Davenport University, DTE Energy, Strategic Staffing Solutions, Detroit Athletic Club, McGraw Wentworth, HRAGD, and The Harvard Drug Group.

The "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" are presented annually in three markets: Metro Detroit, Western Michigan and Chicago. Nominations are now being accepted for 2010. Visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to obtain an application.

Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA (www.michbusiness.org) 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. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA).

    Contact:
    Sue Voyles (734) 667-2005
    Ed Deeb (586) 393-8800