TAMPA, Fla. – On June 21, 2017, Florida TaxWatch recognized innovative and inspiring Prudential Productivity Awards winners from the Miami area during a ceremony at the Miami Airport Hilton. In its 29th rendition, the Prudential Productivity Awards program is designed to highlight and reward state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers.

The program received hundreds of nominations in 2017 and Florida TaxWatch honored those hard-working state employees and teams from the Miami area for their achievements and efforts. All winners received a plaque for their efforts, with those who went even further above and beyond receiving a cash prize.

“State workers are critical to the functions of Florida’s government and hardly get the praise and honor they deserve for a job well done. This program has ensured that the taxpayers are noticing the contributions of hard-working state employees. They work behind the scenes, coming to serve every day to make sure that Florida continues to be the best place in the country to live, work and play” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch.

“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 for External Affairs Michael McCann.

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 more than $9 billion worth of added value as a direct result of award winners’ achievements and the replication of those achievements. Over the program’s nearly 30-year history, Florida TaxWatch has discovered more inter-agency cooperation and increased teamwork amongst award winners to bring savings to Floridians.

The program is sponsored by Prudential, the Florida Council of 100, AvMed Health Plans, The Florida Lottery, Capital Health Plan, Florida Trend, North Highland, Kyra Solutions, Ajax Building Corporation, Florida Power & Light, EY (Ernst & Young), Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Odebrecht, Brandt Information Systems, Accenture, The Florida Network of Youth & Family Services, Intersect Media, GEO Group, the Florida Institute of CPAs, Publix Super Markets Charities, Waste Management, Wells Fargo, Bank of America – Merril Lynch, Steve & Linda Evans and Dominic and Debbie Calabro

The awards program travels around the state to recognize winners from Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami. Future regional luncheon awards ceremonies will be held on June 22 in Orlando and June 23 in Jacksonville.

“We believe in supporting programs that enhance the communities where we work and live,” said James M. Repp, president and COO of Miami-based AvMed, the Florida-focused health plan that serves 382,000 Members across the state.  “This important initiative rewards state workers who are providing the value Florida taxpayers deserve. “

The full list of winners and more about the program can be found here.

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About Florida TaxWatch

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog for more than one third of a century, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses.
 
Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch. org.