Press Room

SAN DIEGO, Calif., September 1, 2026 — The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people moving through educating and training well-qualified health and exercise professionals, has been named one of the Best Places to Work SoCal 2026 by Best Companies Group.

The recognition honors organizations that have created exceptional workplace cultures and have a strong, demonstrated commitment to employee engagement, satisfaction, and professional growth. Winners are selected through a rigorous evaluation process that relies heavily on detailed employee surveys assessing factors such as corporate culture, training and development opportunities, compensation and benefits, and overall employee experience.

“At the American Council on Exercise, our mission is to get people moving, and that commitment starts with our own team,” said Cedric X. Bryant, FACSM, ACE Chief Executive Officer. “Being recognized as one of Southern California’s Best Places to Work reflects the culture we’ve intentionally built, one rooted in purpose, trust, inclusion, and a collective commitment to helping people live healthier, more active lives.”

The people-first culture of ACE fosters an environment where employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to work, collaborate across teams, and contribute meaningfully to its mission. Flexible work arrangements, a strong emphasis on work-life balance, and opportunities to engage in fitness challenges, wellness events, volunteer activities, and community initiatives help employees thrive.

“Every winner on this list walks the talk and has created an exceptional work environment that attracts, retains, and motivates top talent,” said Jaime Raul Zepeda, Executive Vice President of Best Companies Group. “The 2026 Best Places to Work SoCal list features organizations that show an unwavering commitment to their employees’ satisfaction and growth.”

Best Companies Group will honor this year’s winners during a virtual recognition event on September 1, 2026, celebrating the organizations that continue to elevate workplace culture throughout Southern California.

For more information about the Best Places to Work SoCal program and to view the complete list of winners, visit: https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-places-to-work-southern-california/

About the American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been the leading non-profit education and certification provider for health coaches and exercise professionals in the United States and around the world.

With more than 90,000 highly respected certified health coaches and exercise professionals, ACE Certified Professionals are on the ground daily helping people move, stay active and make lasting lifestyle behavior changes to build healthier communities.

Headquartered in San Diego, ACE collaborates with public health partners to educate people of all backgrounds about the importance of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors; advocates for public policies to increase physical activity opportunities; and supports scientific research that investigates the efficacy of behavior-change interventions and the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends. Learn more at acefitness.org.

About Best Companies Group

Best Companies Group is an independent research and consulting firm that specializes in identifying and recognizing the best places to work all over the world.