The Annual Employer Recognition Awards, hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Commuter Connections program, celebrated three area companies today at the National Press Club, marking the event's 20th year.

Since its launch in 1998, the program has recognized 57 employers in metropolitan Washington for their exceptional commitment to promoting innovative and sustainable commute alternatives programs that help reduce traffic congestion, lower costs and auto emissions, and improve the quality of life for their employees and the region.

This year’s winners include The Cadmus Group, Inc. of Arlington, VA for the Incentives category; American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) of Bethesda, MD for the Marketing category; and TCG of the District of Columbia for the Telework category. In 2017, these employers reduced 2,440,518 employee vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and saved 123,258 gallons of gasoline.

“We are delighted to honor The Cadmus Group, ASHP, and TCG for the important role they play in promoting commuter programs that help to improve mobility and air quality in the region,” said Nicholas Ramfos, Director of Commuter Connections. “For the past two decades, the Employer Recognition Awards have honored employers who are taking the lead in offering commute options that foster improved quality of life for both employees and communities through programs that reduce drive-alone commuting."

Incentives

The Cadmus Group in Arlington offers a subsidy to employees as an incentive to use mass transit. The Cadmus Group reduces 1,216,388 employee vehicle miles traveled per year (VMT), and saves 61,433 gallons of gasoline annually. Participating employees are reimbursed up to $160 per month in pre-tax benefits. All employees are issued a laptop and are eligible for telework. Cadmus employees are also given a $300 personal development fund to use towards gym membership, fitness classes, or other personal wellness interests. The Cadmus Group also received the Employer Recognition Award for Incentives in 2014.

Marketing

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in Bethesda partnered with Montgomery County and Bethesda Transportation Solutions (BTS) in 2008 to develop a traffic mitigation plan to reduce traffic congestion in the county. The company reduces 392,830 employee VMT per year, and saves 19,840 gallons of gasoline annually. To market sustainable commute options to its employees, new hires receive transportation benefits information and are directed to the “transportation assistance” intranet webpage for enrollment instructions during the onboarding process. ASHP established a Green Committee which coordinates and promotes events such as an Adopt-a-Highway sponsorship and Walk & Ride Challenges.

Telework

TCG in the District of Columbia adopted a telework-first model, which encourages employees to work from home, an innovation that has reduced drive-alone commuting and helps TCG attract and retain employees who are at the top in their fields. TCG reduces 831,300 VMT per year, and saves 41,985 gallons of gasoline annually. Of its 130 employees, about 80 percent telework. More than half of its employees do so full time, and another 27 percent telework at least one day per week. TCG also received the Employer Recognition Award for Telework in 2010.

Past Winners

Since the program’s inception, the Commuter Connections Employer Outreach Services program has helped reduce about six billion vehicle miles of travel, 3,500 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 2,000 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Three other employers have been recognized twice, and include George Mason University in 1998 and 2006; Calvert in 1998 and 2002; and Discovery Communications in 2006 and 2007.

Commuter Connections partners with local employers to promote, educate, and formulate transportation solutions that help reduce gasoline consumption, improve traffic mobility, and direct initiatives to improve the region’s quality of life. With free assistance from Commuter Connections, employers can provide a variety of commuter options from transit subsidies, pre-tax benefits, telework and ridesharing programs.

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Employer Recognition Awards Program
Past Winners