CHICAGO – Gold Eagle Co. was named one of Inc. Magazine’s and Winning Workplaces’ 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces. Top Small Company Workplaces is an annual competition that recognizes the nation’s best small and mid-sized company work environments.

Every year since 2003, Winning Workplaces, an Evanston, Ill.-based nonprofit organization, has recognized those firms that attribute much of their business success to their commitment to exemplary people practices and outstanding workplace cultures.

Inc. Magazine will feature this year's 50 winners in its June issue. These winners are a diverse array of organizations with one important thing in common -- they place a high value on their staff’s health and happiness.

“We are honored by this recognition," said Marc Blackman, CEO of Gold Eagle Co. “The culture and work environment provided for our employees is something we are very proud of, and we are constantly striving to improve. A happy and healthy workforce combined with a balanced lifestyle leads to improved productivity and success as a company. We frankly feel it provides a competitive advantage. We are particularly proud of Gold Eagle’s Wellness Program and the new fitness center we opened this year.”

Winning Workplaces and Inc. received nearly 350 completed applications for the contest. A national panel of experts in leadership and small- to mid-sized business judged the finalists. Selections were based on specific metrics and qualitative assessments of the finalists’ success in creating the kind of workplaces that engage employees and deliver bottom-line results.

Gold Eagle Co. was chosen as one of 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces based on a list of criteria including:

• Core Values
• Employee Satisfaction
• Work/Life Integration
• Tuition assisted Learning and Development
• Fitness/Wellness Programs
• Recognition of Employee Achievements
• Comprehensive Benefits Program
• Company Sponsored Events and Celebrations
• Employee turnover rate