Governor Announces Third-Annual Customer Service Awards

Monday, September 28, 2009

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774, Jerri Cloud, Governors Office of Customer Service 404-463-5914

ATLANTA—Governor Sonny Perdue today announced the winners of state government’s third-annual Governor’s Customer Service Awards for 2009. Seven individuals and nine teams from across the state were recognized as this year’s award winners.

“Part of making Georgia the best managed state is improving customer service and recognizing those employees who provide it every day,” said Governor Perdue. “These awards highlight exemplary employees and their commitment to changing processes and attitudes to provide faster, friendlier and easier service for the citizens of Georgia. Those recognized here represent scores of others who have found ways to produce and measure results.”

Winners in the third year of the Governor’s Customer Service Awards were selected from among more than 575 nominations from 42 different agencies across Georgia. Nominees demonstrate “above and beyond” service that is helpful, courteous and knowledgeable. Team winners dramatically shortened process time or responded quickly to customers. Awards were also given for Employee of the Year, Team of the Year, Contact Center Excellence, Leadership and Agency of the Year. Employees of state agencies and the University System of Georgia are eligible. Nominees were judged by a blue-ribbon panel of leaders from the business community and the public sector.

 

LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

 

Individual Excellence in Customer Service

This award recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the citizens of Georgia over the last year. Their actions reflect all five of the state's customer service commitments: HELPFUL, COURTEOUS, ACCESSIBLE, RESPONSIVE, and KNOWLEDGEABLE.

• Marilyn D. Ferguson, Manager II, Dept. of Veterans Services, Atlanta
• Gene H. Sharpe, Chief Ranger, McDuffie/Warren County Unit, Georgia Forestry Commission, Thomson
• Pamela Shepherd, Agent, Newnan Office of Child Support Services, Dept. of Human Services, Newnan
• Clyde Smith, Juvenile Probation/Parole Specialist III, Dept. of Juvenile Justice, Fayetteville

 

Customer Service Employee of the Year

This award is given to the individual who represents the most exceptional example of customer service in the state of Georgia.

• Richard Cobb, Wilkes Pre-Release Center Superintendent, Dept. of Corrections, Washington

 

Team Excellence in Customer Service

This award recognizes those teams who have demonstrated outstanding service to the customers of the state of Georgia over the last year.

• Business Development and Training Team, Dept. of Community Affairs, Atlanta
• District 8-2 Office of All Hazards Preparedness Team, Dept. of Community Health, Albany
• Houston Office of Child Support Services, Dept. of Human Services, Warner Robins
• Region XI Division of Family and Children Services, Dept. of Human Services, Tifton

 

Customer Service Team of the Year

This award is presented to the team which is the most exceptional example of customer service in the state of Georgia.

• Operations Department, Ft. Stewart Youth Challenge Academy, Ft. Stewart

 

ContactCenterExcellence

The contact center excellence award is given to one call center based on outstanding performance and improvement in customer service.

• 1.800.georgia Contact Center, Governor’s Office of Customer Service, Atlanta

 

Outstanding Process Improvement

The process improvement award is given to a division or program that has designed and implemented a planned process improvement or initiative that has resulted in a significant positive impact on their customers over the last year.

• State Board of Workers' Compensation, Atlanta

 

Customer Service Champion of the Year

This award recognizes the Champion who has successfully guided customer service improvements throughout his or her organizationresulting in a significant, positive impact on customer service over the last year.

• Cathy Smith, Dept. of Corrections, Atlanta

 

Outstanding Customer Service Leadership 

The Customer Service Leadership Award recognizes a leader in an agency, division, institution or program who, through his or her leadership in customer service, has made a significant, positive impact on customer service to the citizens of the state of Georgia over the last year.

• Col. Bill Hitchens, Commissioner, Dept. of Public Safety, Atlanta

 

Most Improved Customer Service Organization

This award recognizes the state organization or program that has demonstrated the greatest overall improvement in customer service during the previous year.

• Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Atlanta

 

Customer Service Agency of the Year

This award is given to the state agency or institution that has shown the highest commitment, the highest performance levels and the most improvement in customer service across the organization over the last year.

• Georgia Forestry Commission, represented by DirectorRobert Farris, Macon

 

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