Governor Perdue Announces Excellence in Customer Service Awards

Governor Perdue Announces Excellence in Customer Service Awards

ATLANTA—Governor Sonny Perdue announced the winners of state government’s Excellence in Customer Service Awards for 2007 Tuesday afternoon.  Six individuals and eight teams were recognized in a ceremony held at the Georgia World Congress Center.

“Part of making Georgia the best managed state is improving customer service and recognizing those employees who provide it,” said Governor Sonny 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.”  

First-year winners in the Team Georgia Customer Service Recognition Program were selected from among more than 400 nominations across Georgia.  Individuals were to demonstrate helpful, courteous and knowledgeable service to citizens.  Team winners dramatically shortened process time or responded quickly to customers. Awards were also given for Employee of the Year, Team of the Year, Call 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. 

“The range of exceptional nominations from all state services and all parts of the state is impressive,” said committee chair Carl E. Swearingen, Chairman, State Board, Technical College System of Georgia. “In these awards is proof that Governor Perdue’s emphasis on customer service has generated new approaches to meeting customer needs, reduced bureaucratic processes and put smiles on the faces of state employees and their customers.  Georgia is setting high benchmarks for customer satisfaction that mean better service, reduced costs and long term benefits for all.” 

LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

Governor’s Award for Individual Customer Service Excellence

Awarded to 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 attributes: COURTEOUS, HELPFUL, ACCESSIBLE, RESPONSIVE, and KNOWLEDGEABLE.

• Elaine Lacy, Youth Challenge Academy Counselor, Georgia Department of Defense, Ft. Stewart, Hinesville.
• Trina Norwood, Supervisor, Office of Financial Independence, Washington County Division of Family and Children Services, Department of Human Resources, Sandersville.  
• Senior Trooper Ronnie Shumake, Georgia State Patrol Post 20, Georgia Department of Public Safety, Dublin.
• Mark Simpson, Consumer Affairs Specialist, Legal and Consumer Affairs Division,   Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, Atlanta.

Team Georgia Customer Service Employee of the Year

Awarded to the individual who represents the most exceptional example of customer service in the state of Georgia.

• Frank Brooks, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Dublin Career Center, Georgia Department of Labor, Dublin.

The Governor’s Award in Customer Service for Team Excellence 

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

• Academic Resource Center, Bainbridge College, Bainbridge.
• Georgia Immunization Program, Division of Public, Health, Department of Human Resources, Atlanta. 
• Legal and Consumer Affairs Division, Department of Banking and Finance, Atlanta.
• Mail and Courier Section, Department of Administrative Services, Atlanta.

Team Georgia Customer Service Team of the Year

Awarded to the team which is the most exceptional example of customer service in the state of Georgia.

• Cancer State Aid Program, Atlanta.

Call Center Excellence

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

• Teachers Retirement System Call Center, 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. 

• Office of Child Support Services Rapid Process Improvement Project, Department of Human Resources, 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 and customers of the state of Georgia over the last year. 

• Dr. Gena L. Abraham, State Property Officer, Director of the Georgia Building Authority, State Property Commission, and State Financing and Investment Commission, 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 Department of Human Resources, represented by Commissioner BJ Walker, Atlanta.

Governor’s Special Award for Extraordinary Commitment to Customer Service

• Chancellor Errol B. Davis, University System of Georgia, Atlanta.

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