PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPDI) today announced it has been named one of the Best Employers in North Carolina for 2009 and is featured in the July/August issue of NC Magazine. PPD ranked number seven among all companies and is the only contract research organization to receive the award.

The award honors the best places of employment in North Carolina, recognizing companies that benefit the state’s economy and work force. In addition to NC Magazine, the North Carolina Chamber, the North Carolina Society for Human Resources Management and Best Companies Group created the program.

A broad group of PPD’s North Carolina employees were surveyed to gauge the company’s workplace philosophy, policies, practices and systems. Employees were asked about the company’s leadership and planning, corporate culture and communication, role satisfaction, work environment, supervisor relationship, training and development, pay and benefits, and overall engagement with the company.

“PPD is committed to recruiting, developing and retaining top talent and creating a challenging and rewarding work environment for our employees,” said Ed Murray, senior vice president of human resources for PPD. “With more than 3,000 employees in North Carolina, we are honored to be named one of the state’s best employers. We value our employees’ contributions, which make PPD a great place to work.”

Sherry Melton, vice president of communications for the North Carolina Chamber said, “On behalf of the North Carolina Chamber, I would like to congratulate the leaders and employees of PPD.” She added, “Best Companies Group informed us the quality of the applications was very high, and that the winners constitute a very solid group of esteemed companies that continue to attract and develop high-quality employees.”

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity;
• Be a publicly or privately held business;
• Have a facility in North Carolina;
• Have at least 15 employees in North Carolina; and
• Be in business a minimum of one year.

PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing discovery, development and post-approval services as well as compound partnering programs.