Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Virginia” by Virginia Business and Best Companies Group.

The statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Virginia, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. CAI was one of only 100 entities to earn the award.

"We strive to sustain a positive and productive workplace, and this award affirms our success," says CAI Chief Executive Officer Tom Skiba, CAE. "We have dedicated staff members fulfilling many critical missions on behalf of our 32,500 members and the community association industry at large. The best way to keep doing that is by creating a workplace environment that inspires excellence, collaboration and accountability."

The national CAI staff includes about 50 full-time employees working in member services, chapter relations, education, government and public affairs, communications, marketing, finance and administration.  More than 30 staff members have been with CAI for at least five years.

"We didn’t really know how CAI would measure up when we first began the process of evaluation," admits Jessica Ortiz, PHR, CAI’s director of human resources. "Even if we weren’t recognized, we hoped to learn a lot about how we were doing, how the staff perceived the Institute and how we could improve. Being recognized like that was a welcome byproduct of that exercise."

Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This was worth approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an anonymous employee survey, worth about 75 percent of the evaluation, to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking.

With more than 32,500 members dedicated to building better communities, CAI works in partnership with 60 chapters, including a chapter in South Africa. CAI provides information, education and resources to community associations and the professionals who support them. CAI’s mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in communities that are preferred places to call home.

Visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321.