SAN DIEGO, July 1, 2008 – IDG’s Computerworld has named San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) one of the top workplaces for information technology professionals. The recognition is part of the industry publication’s 15th annual “Best Places to Work in IT” survey, published in the June 30 issue.

        Computerworld’s annual survey ranks the top 100 work environments for technology professionals, based on a broad range of factors, including benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention.  In addition, this year Computerworld surveyed 31,000 U.S. information technology workers for the list, and their responses factored heavily in determining the rankings.

        The magazine cited SDG&E’s deployment of advanced technology to benefit customers as a key factor in the utility’s selection.  J. Chris Baker, chief information technology officer for SDG&E, said SDG&E’s focus on innovation has helped attract top talent.

         “Developing and maintaining the technology systems behind an operation that brings energy to millions of people is incredibly challenging, but also rewarding,” Baker said.  “Our technological support helps keep our customers’ lights on and their homes comfortable, motivating our information technology team to be at its best every day.”
 
        SDG&E also was recognized for its diversity; about half of its nearly 600 information technology employees are minorities.

        “Being among the ‘Best Places to Work in IT’ means crafting a blend of employee advantages that includes the potential for flexible hours, competitive pay, excellent benefits, a supportive leadership environment, opportunities for ongoing training and advancement, and ultimately, the feeling that you’d like to stay with the company a long, long time,” said Scot Finnie, editor-in-chief of Computerworld.

        Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide.  Computerworld’s award-winning weekly publication, Computerworld.com Web site (www.computerworld.com), focused conference series and custom research form the hub of the world’s largest (40+ edition) global IT media network.  In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including Folio Magazine’s 2006 Gold EDDIE Award for the best technology/computing magazine, the 2004 and 2006 Magazine of the Year Award, and 2006 Best Overall Web Publication from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.  Computerworld leads the industry with a print audience of 1,252,000 readers each week (IntelliQuest CIMS Spring 2006) and an online audience of over 2 million unique monthly visitors (Omniture).

        SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles.  Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region’s quality of life.  SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

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