DAPHNE, Alabama, July 2009— Daphne Utilities has been named to the Wall Street Journal’s 2009 Top 35 Small Workplaces in America. More than 600 companies throughout the country are nominated annually and, according to representatives of the judging panel, Daphne Utilities is the only utility company to ever be selected as a finalist in the history of this program.

The Top 35 Finalist designation is given to small businesses that foster teamwork, flexibility, high productivity and innovation while also helping their employees grow personally and professionally, and providing them benefits that improve their lives and communities.

Of the 35 named, 15 will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Wall Street Journal focusing on small business in America. All finalists will be further scrutinized through a series of due diligence interviews with randomly selected employees, as well as customers and business advisors. A panel of judges will then review all information and select the top 15 companies.

“To be named one of the top 35 small businesses by The Wall Street Journal is not only a great honor, but a true reflection of the outstanding employees we have been fortunate to attract,” said Rob McElroy, general manager. “We’ve worked very hard to select, prepare and retain top talent and have created a work culture that maximizes their talent.”

Daphne Utilities’ staff of 70 employees serves approximately 11,000 water, 10,000 sewer and 4,000 gas customers. Its five person board is comprised of chairman Bob Segalla, Mayor Fred Small, Councilman Ron Scott, Fenton Jenkins and Lon Johnston.

McElroy said the utility has undertaken significant changes since 2005. “We’re now a business minded enterprise, shedding the “public works” mindset to become a profitable, performance-based, award-winning water, wastewater and natural gas provider.”

Innovative environmental programs, such as the utility’s biodiesel fuel effort, are now copied across the country. Other programs stressing workplace safety and whole family health have resulted in a reduction in insurance rates for both the company and employees in each of the last three years. A significant emphasis on cross-training and skills development helps each employee become more valuable to themselves and to the utility.

“It’s fairly obvious to me: Winning teams know how to win…and we have built a great winning team here at Daphne Utilities,” said McElroy. “We stress accomplishments, not just ’hard work’ and make no apologies for our pay-for-performance system which rewards those who deliver great results. We value high performance from each individual, each team, every department and from the entire company working together as a whole.”

Click Here to see the August 9th Mobile Press Register Article

Click Here to see the August 10th Mobile Press Register Article

Winning Workplaces and Wall Street Journal Top Small Workplaces 2009: Distinguished Finalists