�I am proud that our leadership team and managers have worked hard to create a very desirable work setting with clear expectations, training and rewards,� said Fred Cerrone, president of DHG.  �Because our associates appreciate the work environment and culture, they rated DHG highly and allowed us to receive this prestigious honor.�

Tamara Markham, Director of Training for DHG, says she loves working for a company where employees are empowered to do �random acts of kindness� and credits the company�s 20 value statements for setting a daily tone of generosity. 

�The value statements form the core of our corporate culture,� said Fred Cerrone.  �When Peyton Day and I started DHG nine years ago, it was very important to us to create a company that makes a difference in the lives of both our associates and our guests.  At DHG, we espouse priorities where God comes first, family second, and work or business comes third.�

Other outstanding benefits for DHG associates include a corporate chaplain program, training at Ashford Institute, the company�s corporate university, company cars for area managers, and a three-month paid sabbatical for managers with five years tenure as well as every five years thereafter.

To create the city-wide A+ Employer list, the Atlanta Business Chronicle worked with partner The Marketing Workshop, Inc. and compiled research on each of the competing companies.  First, a company representative submitted a 31-question online benefits survey with questions about 410(k) plans, insurance, vacation and flexible work schedules.  Each question was assigned a point value, in advance, and responses were scored accordingly.  Additional benefits were awarded points on a consistent basis.

Next, 10 employees completed an on-line employee attitudes survey.  Submitted anonymously, the surveys were scored on a scale of one to five (five being �strongly agree;� one being �strongly disagree�).  Based on the completed research, the newspaper then ranked the companies in two areas: employee attitudes and employee benefits. 

Day Hospitality Group (DHG) is an Atlanta-based full-scale management, development and consulting firm specializing in the select-service lodging segment of the hotel industry. Principals of the company are Peyton Day, Chairman, and Frederick W. Cerrone, CHA, President.  A franchise partner of Marriott International, Inc., (NYSE/MAR), DHG operates three Fairfield Inn by Marriott properties in Buckhead, Kennesaw and Charlotte, NC; four Fairfield Inn & Suites in Midtown Atlanta, Alpharetta, Perimeter Center and Macon, GA, two TownePlace Suites hotels in Alpharetta and Kennesaw and three SpringHill Suites hotels in Alpharetta, Buford and Kennesaw. The company owns and operates the Hampton Inn-Mall of Georgia and the Hampton Inn-Stone Mountain.