(Ocean Lakes Family Campground is a subsidiary that employs more than 200 teammates.)

MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Krumm, Director of Marketing and Public Relations (Ocean Lakes), please call (843) 828-4829 or (843) 457-0601 cell, or via email at bkrumm@oceanlakes.com

The Jackson Companies of Myrtle Beach, SC has been named one of the fifteen “Best Places to Work in South Carolina.” Founded by Mary Emily and Nelson Jackson and their five daughters, The Jackson Companies includes Prestwick Golf & Country Club, Ocean Lakes Family Campground (winner of the 2006 SC Governor's Cup), Ocean Lakes Properties, Crystal Lake Mobile Home Village, Ocean Lakes RV Center and the new master planned mixed use development “SayeBrook.” The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)-South Carolina State Council, SCJobNetwork.com and Setcom Media, publisher of the Charleston Regional Business Journal, to create the inaugural competition naming the best places to work in the state. The program is a multi-year initiative to encourage South Carolina companies such as The Jackson Companies to focus, measure and move their workplace environments toward excellence. “We are honored to be recognized statewide as one of the best places to work,” remarks Dennis Wade, CEO of The Jackson Companies.

The selection process was based on a two-part assessment of The Jackson Companies. The first part evaluated employee policies, procedures, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of a 65-question employee online survey to measure employee experience. Best Companies Group, an independent research company, conducted the survey. “Most companies generally survey their customers, however, The Jackson Companies has been proactive in measuring our teammates' opinions of our company for several years to find ways to improve our performance and family-friendly atmosphere,” explains Wade.
All participating companies received an Assessment Findings Report in August, which not only summarized the 65 survey questions and sorted employee feedback, but also included South Carolina benchmarking data for comparison purposes. The report will enable the companies to develop and implement the strategic steps necessary to create a great workplace and continue to improve the performance of their business. “Recruiting quality employees is key to a successful business and participating in experiences like this helps The Jackson Companies be more competitive,” explains Linda Richnafsky, PHR, Human Resources Director.

The Jackson Companies has implemented several programs over the years to encourage their teammates active participant in their company and community. Successful programs include Teammate Recognition Programs, a Teammate Suggestion Program, a Company Values Program, Customer Service Training, an Educational Assistance Program, a Teammate Roundtable with elected representatives, a Teammate Safety Committee, an annual Health and Benefits Fair, Teammate Surveys and more. Wade explains the efforts, “We hope with each program that our teammates feel like they are a contributing part of our team - that they are important to the success of our company.” The Jackson Companies' subsidiaries have been recognized nationally in both the golf and camping industries.

Visit www.oceanlakes.com and www.prestwickcountryclub.com for company information.

The Jackson Companies founded by Mary Emily and Nelson Jackson and their five daughters, includes Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Prestwick Golf & Country Club, Ocean Lakes Properties, Crystal Lakes Mobile Home Village, Ocean Lakes RV Center, the Jackson Farm, Sunway Charters and the new master planned mixed use development “SayeBrook.”