NWjobs People's Picks winners, 2006-2008
Each year starting in 2006, NWjobs.com has asked its readers to vote for their favorite Northwest employers in more than 25 categories. Congratulations to the following winners.

Favorite health care company: Northwest Hospital & Medical Center
Favorite high-tech company: F5 Networks
Favorite hospitality company: Schwartz Brothers Restaurants
Favorite temp/recruitment agency: Murphy & Associates
Favorite Eastside company: Murphy & Associates
Favorite Snohomish County company: Sandlot Games
Favorite Pierce County company: Mulberry Street Market Intelligence
Best benefits: Check Masters
Coolest office space: Mulberry Street Market Intelligence
Favorite family-owned & -operated company: Murphy & Associates
Favorite nonprofit: Center for Human Services
Favorite office party: Projectline Services Inc.
Favorite startup: Livemocha
Most eco-friendly company: Herrera Environmental Consultants
Most family-friendly company: Mulberry Street Market Intelligence
Most pet-friendly company: Sunrise Identity
Most unusual perk(s): Check Masters
Favorite Eastside company: Astronics Advanced Electronics Systems
Favorite Snohomish County company: Premera Blue Cross
Favorite Pierce County company: GeoEngineers, Inc.
Best benefits: MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
Coolest office space: F5 Networks
Favorite family-owned & -operated company: Moneytree
Favorite nonprofit: Sound Mental Health
Favorite office party: Astronics Advanced Electronics Systems
Most eco-friendly company: Premera Blue Cross
Most family-friendly company: Astronics Advanced Electronics Systems
Most unusual perk(s): F5 Networks

Favorite Eastside company: Qualstar Credit Union
Favorite Snohomish County company: Silicon Mechanics
Favorite Pierce County company: Rusty George Creative
Favorite Eastside company: Astronics Advanced Electronics Systems
Favorite Snohomish County company: Premera Blue Cross
Favorite Pierce County company: Columbia Bank
Best biotech company: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Best family-owned and -operated company: Moneytree
Best health care company: Premera Blue Cross
Best high-tech company: F5 Networks
Best nonprofit: Premera Blue Cross
Best office party: Astronics Advanced Electronics Systems
Best startup: Zillow.com
Best temp/recruitment agency: PACE Staffing Network
Company with best benefits: Premera Blue Cross
Company with most unusual perk(s): F5 Networks
Coolest office space: F5 Networks
Most eco-friendly: Premera Blue Cross
Most family-friendly: Premera Blue Cross
Most laid-back atmosphere: Astronics Advanced Electronics Systems
Most pet-friendly: Rusty George Creative

Best small company: Vacation Internationale, Zillow.com, Verity Credit Union
Best large corporation: Premera Blue Cross, MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, F5 Networks
Best place to make a difference: Harborview Medical Center, Premera Blue Cross, Verity Credit Union
Best temp/recruitment agency: Pace Staffing, FILTER, Big Fish
Best training & education programs: Verity Credit Union, Premera Blue Cross, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Best place to climb the career ladder: Premera Blue Cross, Verity Credit Union, Schwartz Brothers Restaurants
Company that most values diversity: Premera Blue Cross, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Highline Community College
Most philanthropic employer: Premera Blue Cross, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft
Most family-friendly: Premera Blue Cross, Allyis, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems
Coolest office space: MulvannyG2 Architecture; Big Fish; ZAAZ, Inc.
Best view: F5 Networks, Zillow.com, Schwartz Brothers Restaurants
Company with best lunchtime options: Premera Blue Cross, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES), The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Most laid-back atmosphere: Dave Syferd & Partners, Rusty George Design, All The Best Pet Care
Most pet-friendly: All The Best Pet Care; ZAAZ, Inc.; Owen Media
Best work/life balance: Premera Blue Cross, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES), Verity Credit Union
Best for interoffice romances: Verity Credit Union, Premera Blue Cross, Microsoft
Best holiday party: Dave Syferd & Partners, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Rusty George Design
Best health care & well-being: Premera Blue Cross, Allyis, Microsoft
Best commute programs: Premera Blue Cross, Verity Credit Union, F5 Networks
Company with most unusual perk(s): Pat's Plumbing, Dave Syferd & Partners, F5 Networks
Best retirement & investment benefits: Premera Blue Cross, Verity Credit Union, Meridian Technology Group
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