Florida TaxWatch Honors State Employees at 28th Annual Prudential Productivity Awards Regional Ceremonies
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida state employees received well-deserved recognition at regional luncheons throughout the week of June 20th - 24th. Honoring winners of Florida TaxWatch’s 2016 Prudential Productivity Awards, these luncheons took place in Tampa, Miami, Orlando and Jacksonville. The 28th Annual awards ceremony highlights state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers. The Prudential Productivity Awards is the only program where the state’s private businesses recognize and reward public employees for making state government run more efficiently.
Hundreds of state employees were honored during the regional luncheon ceremonies, sponsored by Prudential, Florida Lottery, AvMed, Capital Health Plan and Florida Power & Light, Ernst and Young among others.
“All of our state employees face unique challenges in their jobs everyday. These award-winners implemented creative solutions to these problems, saving the state money and improving government services for residents. Their efforts cannot be overstated,” 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 throughout the Sunshine State. 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, and partnerships have produced more than $9.2 billion worth of added value as a direct result of award winners’ achievements and the replication of those achievements.
“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 and raise a family,” said Prudential Vice President of Government Affairs and TaxWatch Executive Committee Member Mike Jennings.
The program received nominations from every corner of the state with 605 total individuals and teams being honored with a 2016 Prudential Productivity Award for their achievements. Since 1988, more than 16,000 nominations have been received.
"The Florida Lottery thanks each of the award winners for their commitment to reducing costs for Florida's hard-working taxpayers while dramatically improving the services that each Floridian depends on,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie.
“As Chairman of the judging panel, I have personally reviewed the efforts of more than 605 individuals and teams of state employees to improve the services that Floridians depend on and I commend each of the 2016 award winners for their exceptional achievement,” said Prudential Productivity Awards Judges Panel Chairman and North Highland Vice President Barbara Ray.
The program is a major government improvement initiative chaired by Florida's Lieutenant Governor and co-sponsored by Florida TaxWatch, The Florida Council of 100, and the state of Florida. In addition to Prudential's generous support as the title sponsor, numerous corporate, individual and philanthropic contributors supplement the awards program. Without their tremendous support, this program would not be possible.
For more on the program, click here.