SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District was recognized as the best employer in the Large Government category at the Eighth Annual Sacramento Workplace Excellence Leader Awards (SWEL) ceremony April 29. Hosted by the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association (SAHRA), the annual ceremony recognizes extraordinary employers in the greater Sacramento Area.

The Sacramento District's win was due to an over 90-percent employee satisfaction rating, said award presenter Mark Towns. In a video played at the event, District Commander Col. Thomas Chapman described all of the accomplishments and reasons the District is such a great place to work.

Chapman explained how the Sacramento District's emphasis on training for all employees is one reason why the district continues to grow and improve. Programs like "Fit to Win" gym membership program and LDP (Leadership Development Program) allow the "growth and strengthening of our employees," said Chapman.

Sharon Caine, chief of the Sacramento District's real estate division, accepted the award on behalf of the district and thanked SAHRA for the recognition. "It's an honor to be here," Caine said. "It (the Sacramento District) is a tremendous organization."

Accepting the award was especially gratifying for Caine, who said she has been working for the district for 50 years.

The Sacramento District was one of more than 75 Sacramento-area organizations nominated for SWEL awards this year. Categories included non-profit and profit businesses, as well as government organizations, which competed with one another depending on size.

This was the first time the Sacramento District won the award. It was named first runner-up in 2009.

The SWEL ceremony recognizes Sacramento-area employers that provide their employees with exceptional benefits, programs, training and workplaces that promote employee health, safety, advancement, diversity and security.