Florida TaxWatch Honors State Employees at 27th Annual Prudential Productivity Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2015
CONTACT: Morgan McCord - 850.212.5052
Tallahassee, Fla. -Hundreds of state employees gathered on Thursday at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in downtown Tallahassee at a luncheon honoring winners of Florida TaxWatch's 2015 Prudential Productivity Awards. The 27th Annual event is designed to highlight and reward state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers.
"State workers hardly get the praise and honor they deserve for a job well done, and this program ensures that the taxpayers are noticing their contributions, and are thankful for all that our public servants are doing to make Florida a great place to get a job, raise a family and start a business," said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch.
The program also strives to encourage state agencies to work together to replicate the savings across state government. After employees receive their award, they are encouraged to work with other state agencies to implement their cost savings ideas across state government. Since 1989, thousands of individuals, teams, work units and partnerships have produced nearly $9 billion worth of added value as a direct result of award winners' achievements and the replication of those achievements. Over the program's 26-year history, Florida TaxWatch has discovered more inter-agency cooperation and increased teamwork amongst award winners to bring savings to Floridians.
"Prudential is proud to support this innovative program that has inspired our state's best employees to improve services and reduce costs for the taxpayers of Florida by implementing private sector values of efficiency and cost savings," said Mike Jennings, Vice President of Government Affairs for Prudential and former TaxWatch Chairman. "The commitment of these incredible public servants to work together to build a better Florida means that state government can direct taxpayers' hard earned money to the vital services that make the Sunshine State a great place to live, raise a family and retire."
Sponsored by Prudential, the Florida Lottery and AvMed Health Plans, as well as the Florida Council of 100 and the State of Florida, the awards program travels around the state to recognize winners from Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami. Regional luncheon awards ceremonies will follow in Orlando - June 23 (Westin Lake Mary), Miami - June 24 (Renaissance Miami), Tampa - June 25 (TPepin Hospitality Centre) and Jacksonville - June 26 (Epping Forest Yacht Club).
"The Florida Lottery is a proud sponsor of the Prudential Productivity Awards Program, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come," said Florida Lottery Secretary, Cynthia O'Connell. "The Lottery takes pride in honoring the dedicated state employees who work hard to ensure that Florida runs as efficiently as possible."
The program received more than 500 nominations for 2015 winners, and 215 state employees across the state will be honored for their achievements with cash and plaque awards. Since 1988, more than 15,000 nominations have been received.
"These award-winning state employees are truly making a difference for all Florida families, and AvMed is honored to help recognize them for their collective savings of nearly $9 billion over 27 years," said Brian Brown, Director of Sales & Retention at AvMed Health Plans, providing health care coverage to Floridians for more than 40 years. "As Chairman of the judges panel, I have personally seen the efforts of more than 500 individuals and teams of state employees to improve the services that Floridians depend on, and I commend each of the 2015 award winners for their exceptional achievement."
Click here for the full list of the 2015 Prudential Productivity Award Winners