FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cobb Commuters and Corporations Recognized at Inaugural Award Ceremony on October 22
Cobb County, October 2008 – On October 22, Commuter Club, Wellstar Health System and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation were pleased to host an event honoring dedicated commuters and companies in the Cumberland Galleria area at a lunchtime celebration ceremony.
The event was scheduled to take place months after Governor Sonny Perdue spoke at Commuter Club’s 100th Vanpool Placement Celebration, where he challenged Georgians to try new commuting strategies.
Among those being recognized are alternative transportation users and companies who have implemented flexible workplace strategies, two critical components that have helped people during difficult economic times with soaring gas prices.
There were a total of 11 companies that were recognized at this event. Among those companies were The Home Depot, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Sprint/Nextel, The Weather Channel and Printpack Inc.
Jennifer Hammond, Director of Commuter Club, presented the Go Green Awards to commuters and companies in the Cumberland Galleria area who showed leadership by choosing alternative modes of transportation. “The leaders that we have awarded here today are dedicated to the service of a greener Cumberland Galleria area. We are thrilled to partner with companies and commuters working towards a more sustainable future,” said Hammond.
Karen Mathews, Director of Work Life Services for WellStar Health System, presented the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, which recognizes employers who have shown innovation and motivation regarding workplace flexibility.
There were a total of 8 companies that were recognized at this event. Among those companies were Ernst & Young, KPMG LLP, Sprint/Nextel, North Highland, Alston + Bird LLP and Merrick and Company.
Elham Shirazi, a recognized expert on teleworking, attended the event as the keynote speaker. This Los Angeles native has been the backbone of telework programs in the Cumberland Galleria area and across the nation. Elham has helped implement programs to many Atlanta companies such like AT&T, GE, and Georgia Power.
If you would like additional information regarding the Go Green Awards, Sloan Award or the event, please contact Dana Stanzel.
About Commuter Club
Since 1996, Commuter Club has offered free services for businesses and commuters in the Cumberland Galleria area. These services include vanpools with a $50 flat rate per rider per month, as well as assistance in implementing carpools, teleworking and other commute alternatives for individuals and employers. Commuter Club is a program of the Cumberland Community Improvement District. For more information, visit www.commuterclub.com.
About Wellstar Health System
The vision of WellStar Health System is to deliver world-class healthcare through our hospitals, physicians and services. WellStar Health System includes Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals; WellStar Physicians Group; Urgent Care Centers; Health Place; Homecare; Hospice; Atherton Place; Paulding Nursing Center; and the WellStar Foundation. For more information, call 770-956-STAR or visit www.wellstar.org.