DAI last night was named the number one company in the state of Maryland in The Gazette of Politics and Business's annual "P&B53" ranking, which honors the 53 "most exceptional" companies in the state.

“The past year at DAI has been highly successful while also very challenging,” said DAI President and CEO James Boomgard. “This award, which honors ‘exceptional’ companies, is a tribute to the exceptional DAI professionals who work here in Maryland and abroad. We are grateful to see their work recognized in such a public way.”

Boomgard accepted the award at a ceremony attended by several hundred people at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland. A keynote speech by Darrell Green, a noted humanitarian and Hall of Fame cornerback for the Washington Redskins, kicked off the awards dinner, after introductory remarks by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett.

The P&B53 panel judged companies on their creativity and innovation, business practices and planning, work environment, and community service. DAI was praised for its employee-ownership culture and for adapting to market changes, such as by launching the Center for Development Excellence to build the capacity of local practitioners in developing countries.

“We thank the committee members who selected us as the most exceptional company in Maryland,” Boomgard said. “It is a great honor, considering the quality of the other companies selected to the P&B53.”

In its application, DAI highlighted various accomplishments from the past year, including adapting to the changing and demanding development needs in conflict zones, establishing local offices abroad, and engaging its employees in a systematic strategic planning process, in addition to the firm’s financial performance and its charitable and community contributions.

“I applaud these exceptional Maryland businesses that are consistently on the leading edge of innovation and doing their part to help through their proactive community service programs. To make the 53 list is a great accomplishment,” said Cliff Chiet, publisher of The Gazette P&B. DAI will be profiled in a special section as part of the September 17, 2010, edition of the publication.

The Gazette P&B is part of the Community Newspaper Group of Post-Newsweek Media Inc., a division of The Washington Post Company. The Gazette has been publishing newspapers in the Maryland suburbs since 1959.