D-backs named among Best Places to Work in Phoenix for fifth straight year

PHOENIX -- For the fifth consecutive year, the Arizona Diamondbacks were named among Valley companies as one of the "Best Places to Work," when the Phoenix Business Journal announced its list of 2011 recipients at an awards luncheon today at the Arizona Biltmore. The D-backs ranked fifth among medium-sized companies for the second consecutive year.

Founded in 2003, the "Best Places to Work" program ranks Valley companies through a third-party administered employee survey. The areas surveyed include various parts of employee life, including workplace environment, leadership direction, culture and management practices. Hundreds of companies were nominated for the award and selected companies were named among the "Best Places to Work" in small-, medium- and large-sized company categories. The D-backs were the first professional sports organization to receive the honor in 2007.

"The culture we have created is unique in sports and continues to stand out amongst all Arizona companies and industries," said D-backs' President and CEO Derrick Hall. “We are only as good as our employees, and there are none finer. We are so grateful for all they do and this award is for, from and about them."

D-backs employees operate under core values established by the leadership team that provide true framework for effective decision making. Those values include investing into the people who work for the organization, cultivating and enhancing relationships with employees, establishing integrity by accepting individual and collective responsibility, foster learning throughout the organization while considering outside points of view, and expecting positive results from the organization both on and off the field. Culture is also one of the five areas of focus within the organization's Circle of Success.

Among the unique perks enjoyed by employees in 2011 was an authentic All-Star ring given to each full-time employee as a token of appreciation for the Midsummer Classic, which took place at Chase Field. Employees also receive a number of other benefits, including an extended two-week holiday break, quarterly company outings, roundtable meetings between management and employees and a rotating council comprised of members from all levels of the organization focusing on enhancing company events and culture.