DURHAM, N.C., August 18, 2016 – Inc. magazine ranked Hill, Chesson & Woody (HCW), a independent benefits consulting firm, 4518 on its 35th annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment— its independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000.

HCW has experienced top-line growth since its founding in 2000. In the past three years, HCW added 25 new employees to its workforce, from 51 in 2012 up to 76 in 2015.

The 2016 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com and with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc. is the most competitive crop in the list’s history. The average company on the list achieved a mind-boggling three-year growth of 433%. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue is $200 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 640,000 jobs over the past three years, or about 8% of all jobs created in the entire economy during that period. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

“It is an honor to have made this prestigious list for the 2nd year in a row,” said Todd Yates, HCW partner and CEO. “This is a testament to our people, and our company culture as a whole. We are especially grateful for our clients who trust us to help structure their benefits plans – we wouldn’t be here without you!”

"The Inc. 5000 list stands out where it really counts,” says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. “It honors real achievement by a founder or a team of them. No one makes the Inc. 5000 without building something great – usually from scratch. That’s one of the hardest things to do in business, as every company founder knows. But without it, free enterprise fails.”