GERMANTOWN, Md., May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, ranks among the best workplaces in the Greater Washington, D.C. area the for the 16(th) straight year, according to the Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE).

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Hughes received the Workplace Excellence and Health & Wellness Seals of Approval, as well as the AWE EcoLeadership and Diversity Champion Awards, at the annual AWE awards luncheon held today at the Bethesda North Marriot Hotel and Conference Center. The AWE awards honor organizations that promote professional fulfillment and personal wellness at work, at home, and in the community, as well as their commitment to sustainability and workplace diversity.

"Hughes is honored to be recognized once again as one of the region's best places to work," said Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes. "Our employees are our most important asset and we are committed to providing a positive and inclusive work environment to ensure they achieve a healthy work/life balance."

Candidates for AWE awards undergo a rigorous assessment process led by an independent review panel of business professionals, and academics, including masters and Ph.D. students in business, industrial and organizational psychology, human resources, environmental science and public health. AWE recognized 61 companies representing organizations of all sizes and in all sectors from across the United States. Hughes was one of 51 companies to receive the Seal of Workplace Excellence; one of 32 to receive the Health & Wellness Seal; one of 25 to receive the EcoLeadership award, and one of 12 to receive the Diversity Champion Award.

"Creating a positive workplace is at the heart of employee productivity and a company's success," said Michelle Pearre, vice president of Human Resources. "What happens in the workplace influences what happens in their personal lives, and at Hughes we're committed to promoting a healthy balance of wellness programs that allows our employees to flourish."

About The Alliance for Workplace Excellence

The Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by Montgomery County, Maryland and Discovery Communications. Over the past 16 years, AWE has been dedicated to empowering employers to build excellence in the workplace as a means of supporting the quality of life for employees, their families, and the community at large. AWE is dedicated to increasing the number of excellent workplaces within the business community through education and recognition, as a means to enhance the quality of life of its citizens and empower economic growth. For more information, visit http://www.excellentworkplace.org.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet(®) is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 4 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite and video delivery solutions. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and conducting business around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in secure communications technologies through its EchoStar Satellite Services, EchoStar Technologies Corporation and Hughes Network Systems business segments.

For more information, visit echostar.com. Follow @EchoStar on Twitter.

©2015 Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company. Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC