2004 South Carolina Governor's Quality Award Winners Announced

The South Carolina Quality Forum, administrator of the Governor's Quality Award, proudly announces Wackenhut Services, Inc. – Savannah River Site as the recipient of the 2004 South Carolina Governor's Quality Award.  The process consists of multiple recognition levels along with the Explorer Assessment process.  This award is the highest level of recognition in the South Carolina State Quality Award process.   

“Achieving the South Carolina Governor’s Quality Award is indeed a proud moment in Wackenhut’s history.  At a time when our national security interests are threatened and we are at war with terrorism, providing effective, quality security services to our nation is an imperative.  Adopting the Baldrige criteria has helped us elevate our mission performance to a level of unquestioned excellence.  The employees of Wackenhut Services, Incorporated-Savannah River Site work every day to ensure the safety and security of the State of South Carolina and our homeland and we are certainly honored by this recognition”, said Dr. Lawrence Brede, General Manager of Wackenhut.

Several other organizations will also be recognized at this year's Governor's Quality Award Conference to be held on October 4 at the Columbian Hotel and Convention Center in Columbia.  The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department will receive the Gold Achiever Award.  GlaxoSmithKline in Aiken, South Carolina will receive the Bronze Achiever Award.

"We are so pleased to be recognized as a Gold Achiever by the Quality Forum," remarked Larry Bryant, Commissioner of South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.  “As a state agency, the achievement of this award is particularly gratifying since it reflects our commitment to accountability and continuous improvements…sound business practices that have long been called for by taxpayers and legislators.  This is such a tribute to our staff who constantly strive to provide exceptional services to South Carolinians with disabilities who want to work.”

"On behalf of GlaxoSmithKline’s Associates in Aiken, South Carolina, I am extremely proud of our business’ participation in this process,” says Carson Sublett, Site Director.  “The recognition of being the Bronze Achiever designee for 2004 is a tremendous accomplishment for the first year our business has applied for the Governor’s Quality Award.  This achievement is testimony to the efforts of our Associates, who invest daily in the continuous improvement of our business.  The review process for the Award was rigorous, and GSK Aiken’s involvement in the process was designed to improve our business through learning from this review.  The receipt of the Bronze Achiever Award is a bonus that comes in addition to the benchmarking opportunity this process provides.”  Finally, The Roche Carolina Inc. of Florence, South Carolina will be recognized for having undergone the Explorer Assessment process.
 
Dr. Harry Hertz, Program Director, for the Baldrige National Quality Program that administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award will present the awards as he recognizes their accomplishments at the conference.  Kieron Dey of QualPro will be the keynote speaker.  To participate in the South Carolina Quality Award Conference, register on our website www.scquality.com or call 1-888-231-0578.