PSCA ANNOUNCES 2000 SIGNATURE AWARD WINNERS

CHICAGO (September 7, 2000) – The Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America (PSCA) is pleased to announce the winners of our fifth annual Signature Awards competition. The Signature Awards recognize excellence in plan communication and investment education programs in 401(k) plans.

"Once again this year, the judges were very impressed with the quality and content of the materials submitted to the PSCA Signature Awards," commented Clare Bergquist of Strong Retirement Plan Services. "We were especially pleased to see that the majority of the entries were able to share the results of their campaigns. We saw both quantitative results, such as improvement in plan participation or deferral rates; and qualitative, such as the positive impact the campaign had on the employees."

Since 1999, PSCA has placed an increased emphasize on measuring results since it helps indicate the level of success of a program. "We are pleased that many of the entries included measurable results," said Allen W. TeRonde, PSCA Chairman of the Board. "With the results, it is clear that the winning entries represent programs that really worked, in addition to being attractive and innovative."

The winners will be showcased at the national conference in Atlanta, GA September 20-22, 2000.



The following are this year’s Signature Award winners:

Best of Show: 

KeySpan Energy
Sponsored by: The Vanguard Group

Asset Allocation:

First Place
KeySpan Energy
Sponsored by: The Vanguard Group

Second
NBBJ
Sponsored by: Prudential Retirement Services

Third
Diesel Technology Company
Sponsored by: Prudential Retirement Services

Honorable Mention
Food Lion
Sponsored by: INVESCO Retirement Plan Services

Financial Planning:

Honorable Mention
Nortel Networks
Sponsored by: Metlife

Increasing Deferral:

First Place
CRYO Industries
Sponsored by: Prudential Retirement Services

Introduction to Plan Design: 

First Place
Circuit City Stores, Inc.
Sponsored by: American Express Retirement Services

Second Place
Talbots
Sponsored by: American Express Retirement Plan Services

Third Place
Associated Pathologists Laboratories
Sponsored by: JP Morgan/American Century Retirement Plan Services

Complete Campaign: 

First Place
ACE, USA
Sponsored by: T. Rowe Price

Second Place
Gunderson, Inc.
Sponsored by: Arneich Massena & Associates, Inc.

Third Place
The Perrier Group of America
Sponsored by: Bryne Communication Associates

Honorable Mention
W.S. Badcock Corporation
Sponsored by: Prudential Retirement Services

Language Diversity: 

First Place
LSG SkyChefs
Sponsored by: CitiStreet Global Advisors with PartnerComm

Second Place
Gunderson, Inc.
Sponsored by: Arneich Massena & Associates, Inc.

Increasing Participation: 

First Place
AAA Kentucky Inc.
Sponsored by: PNC Advisors

Second Place
Huffy Corporation
Sponsored by: MFS Retirement Services

Third Place
HomeBase, Inc.
Sponsored by: American Express Retirement Services

Honorable Mention
Carlson Companies
Sponsored by: American Express Retirement Services

The Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America (PSCA), a national non-profit association of 1,200 companies and their 6 million employees, advocates increased retirement security through profit sharing, 401(k) and related defined contribution programs to federal policymakers and makes practical assistance with profit sharing and 401(k) plan design, administration, investment, compliance and communication available to its members. PSCA, established in 1947, is based on the principle that “defined contribution partnership in the workplace fits today’s reality.” PSCA's services are tailored to meet the needs of both large and small companies with members ranging in size from Fortune 100 firms to small, entrepreneurial businesses.