Florida TaxWatch Announces 2020 TaxWatch Productivity Award Winners
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch (FTW) today announced the winners of the 2020 TaxWatch Productivity Awards (TPA). For more than 30 years, the TPA program has recognized and rewarded the dedication and hard work of state employees who find ways to improve services, increase efficiencies, and save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The 2020 awards were presented by Kyra Solutions, Inc.
This year, the program received hundreds of nominations and FTW today announced nearly 180 awards to approximately 500 employees and 23 large teams from 19 state agencies and four universities for their achievements and efforts. In total, the efficiencies and cost avoidances created by this year’s TPA winners will save Florida taxpayers more than $300 million.
Florida TaxWatch Chairman and former U.S. Sen. George S. LeMieux said, “Florida is blessed to have a state workforce that not only dutifully performs the functions of our government, but is also constantly seeking and creating innovative ways to provide a better return on taxpayer dollars and a better service for our families. Florida TaxWatch is proud to present the 2020 TaxWatch Productivity Award winners with the recognition they deserve for their great work and commends them for their commitment to excellence during this challenging year.”
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, “The TaxWatch Productivity Awards program we know today originated more than 30 years ago thanks to the vision of the late J.E. Davis and A.D. Davis, co-founders of Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. and Florida TaxWatch. We are incredibly honored to carry their vision forward and continue to recognize the outstanding work and sharp thinking of our valuable state employees. Florida TaxWatch congratulates all of the 2020 TPA winners and thanks them for their devotion to improving our state government.”
Originally known as the Davis Productivity Awards and most recently the Prudential Productivity Awards, the TPA is a nationally unique program. Florida TaxWatch is pleased to have the support of its title sponsor Kyra Solutions, Inc., and co-sponsors, the Florida Council of 100 and AvMed Health Plans.
Kyra Solutions, Inc. SVP of Strategic Initiatives Rebekah Dorworth said, “The TaxWatch Productivity Awards program is truly one of a kind and shines well deserved light on the innovation and work of Florida’s state employees. Kyra Solutions is pleased to once again be the TPA program’s lead sponsor and offers our thanks and congratulations to the 2020 winners.”
Florida Council of 100 President and CEO Bob Ward said, “The Florida Council of 100 is proud to continue our support of the TaxWatch Productivity Awards program and highlight the achievements of public servants across the Sunshine State. The hundreds of state employees we honor today represent the very best of government service to Florida’s taxpayers and the Council is appreciative of their drive and dedication to efficiency.”
AvMed Health Plans SVP & Chief Strategic Growth and Marketing Officer Ashley Allen said, “As a leading health care coverage provider for state employees across Central and South Florida, AvMed Health Plans is honored to support the TaxWatch Productivity Awards program and recognize the amazing work of our state employees, friends, and neighbors.”
The TPA winners will be individually honored in virtual ceremonies held in December 2020. More details regarding these virtual events will be released in the coming weeks.
The full list of winners and more about the program can be found here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses. Florida TaxWatch is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.