Palmetto GBA Ranked Among Nation's Best for Ethics, Compliance Programs
April 15, 2008
COLUMBIA, SC -April 15, 2008 – Palmetto GBA, a leading provider of technical and administrative services for the federal government, has been honored by the Ethisphere Institute for its outstanding ethics and compliance initiatives.
The institute, a national organization dedicated to business ethics, included Columbia, S.C.-based Palmetto GBA in its highly anticipated 2008 Government Contractor Ethics Program Ratings. Palmetto GBA was rated No. 10 nationally in the 10 Best Private Company Ethics Programs category, and No. 33 in the Best Ethics Programs Overall listing.
The rankings are published in the current issue of the institute’s Ethisphere Magazine http://www.ethisphere.com
Researchers from the Ethisphere Institute analyzed more than 1,000 federal government contractors as part of the 2008 ratings. The ratings take into account new Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules regarding U.S. government contractors’ ethics programs, key Federal Sentencing Guidelines hallmarks for effective compliance programs, and industry best practices. The institute scored companies based on their ethics programs, which were reviewed through an online questionnaire, along with information voluntarily provided by the participants. Responses were verified through random audit and review.
Palmetto GBA’s culture of compliance is largely responsible for our success, and we are honored to be recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, Palmetto GBA President Bruce Hughes said. The high ethical standards demonstrated every day by our employees give the federal government confidence that we will carry out our responsibilities in a manner Americans can be proud of.
The institute’s rankings were based on an objective analysis of four categories:
Code of ethics and business conduct
Leadership and tone from the top
Internal control systems
Ethics training and communication programs
In undertaking this exhaustive research and ranking, we have found the opportunity to highlight companies that have taken proactive measures to implement the proper controls, culture and programs to communicate company values and prevent unethical behavior, said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute. They should be a shining example to others in the industry.
A commitment to ethics and compliance is one of our strengths and a requirement for future business, said Ann Archibald, a vice president and compliance officer for Palmetto GBA. We are proud to be nationally recognized for our accomplishments.
Ethisphere Magazine is a national publication dedicated to illuminating the important correlation between ethics and profit. For a complete listing of the government contractor ratings, go to www.ethisphere.com .
Based in Columbia, S.C., Palmetto GBA’s (www.palmettogba.com) principal business is providing administrative services for the Medicare health benefit program. The company has offices in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois. Palmetto GBA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.
