SAN ANTONIO-Jan. 30, 2002--Clarke American says that its MICR Express Division, located in Jeffersonville, Ind., was honored by the Master Printers of America (MPA) with a 2001 Best Workplace in America award. MPA, a committee of the Printing Industries of America (PIA), established the program in 2000 to recognize graphic arts companies that provide their employees with outstanding human relations programs. Of the 95 companies recognized, Clarke American-MICR Express was one of only 32 named "Best of the Best.'' Participants were judged in six major categories of human relations policies and practices: work environment and organizational structure, training and development, financial security, personal/work-life balance, recognition and awards, and health and well-being programs. Clarke American's dedication to helping associates balance their work and home lives through options that include flex-time and pre-tax spending accounts was recognized as being outstanding. "We saw participating in the awards program as a good way to benchmark other graphic arts companies and to see where we stood against them,'' explained Mike Petrey, assistant vice president and general manager, Clarke American-MICR Express and Base Operations. "Being recognized as one of the `Best of the Best' is a true testament to Clarke American's passion for its associates' well-being.'' While the awards program allows companies to compare "best practices,'' the MPA believes the most valuable aspect of being recognized as a Best Workplace award recipient is that it helps companies in recruiting and retaining qualified staff, two key concerns in today's changing economy.