Hughes Again Named One of Mid-Atlantic's Excellent Places to Work

GERMANTOWN, Md., June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the tenth consecutive year, Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, has been named one of the region's excellent places to work. The company was awarded the 'Workplace Excellence' Seal of Approval and the 'Wellness Trailblazer' award by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE) at its Annual Awards Luncheon held June 1 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, one of sixty-seven mid-Atlantic  businesses honored at the event. The Alliance has recognized the best places to work for the past eleven years, honoring businesses that promote professional fulfillment and personal wellness -- at work, at home, and in the community.

"Hughes is honored to be recognized again this year as one of the region's best places to work," said Pradman Kaul, chairman and CEO of Hughes. "Our employees are our most important asset, and we are committed to providing a positive work environment with a range of wellness resources to ensure they achieve a healthy work-life balance."

Sandi Kerentoff, senior vice president of Human Resources at Hughes, said, "Our facility is equipped with a gym, tennis and basketball courts, a softball field, lactation rooms, and an onsite nurse that employees can utilize at their convenience. We host annual flu shots free-of-charge and encourage all employees to participate in an exercise program."

For the first time this year, AWE went beyond the local area into the Mid-Atlantic region to also honor businesses that have demonstrated their commitment to environmental sustainability. Of the 67 employers honored, 61 received the Workplace Excellence Award, 33 the Health & Wellness Trailblazer Award, and 22 received the EcoLeadership Award.

In order to be considered for the awards, applicants undergo a rigorous assessment process led by an independent review panel of PhD professionals, doctoral candidates in business, industrial and organizational psychology, and human resources, communication experts, construction professionals, naturalists, and business executives.  

Applicants were assessed in the following categories:

• Inclusive and flexible corporate culture and management practices;
• Family- and employee-friendly policies and programs;
• Strong health and wellness initiatives;
• Growth and learning opportunities; and
• Commitment to corporate, social, and civic responsibility.

The 67 winning companies represent more than one million employees from organizations of all sizes and in all sectors -- private, public, and nonprofit.

About The Alliance for Workplace Excellence

The Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving employers in the public, private and nonprofit business communities with the tools and education necessary to become recognized excellent places to work. Through its key strategies of training, management consulting and product development, the Alliance positions workplace excellence as a competitive employment brand. The Alliance is funded by Montgomery Country, Maryland and corporate sponsors.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.2 million systems to customers in over 100 countries.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com

©2010 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC