Georgia Governor Announces Excellence in Customer Service Awards

Photo: Georgia State Capitol. "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."

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on Wednesday announced the winners of state government's Excellence in Customer Service Awards for 2008.

"Part of making Georgia the best-managed state is improving customer service and recognizing those employees who serve as a shining example," said 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. These award recipients represent scores of others who have found ways to produce and measure results."

Winners in the second year of the Governor's Customer Service Awards were selected from among more than 636 nominations from 49 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.

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: helpful, courteous, accessible, responsive and knowledgeable:

• Christopher Lee Chambers, Sr., Investigator, Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, Atlanta
• Dr. Jeff Gagne, Policy Division, Department of Education, Atlanta
• Lorie Gann, Carroll County Office, Department of Juvenile Justice, Carrollton
• Janet Zimmerman, Youth Challenge Academy, Department of Defense, Ft. Gordon

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:

• Victor L. Walker, Warden, Augusta State Medical Prison, Department of Corrections, Augusta

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:

• Fort Benning Temporary Tag Office, Department of Revenue Support Team, Columbus
• University of Georgia Parking Services Department, University System of Georgia, Athens
• Pre-K Division, Bright from the Start: Department of Early Care and Learning, Atlanta
• Work Ready Initiative, Governor's Office of Workforce Development, 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:

• Fatherhood/Paternity Program, Office of Child Support Services, Department of Human Resources, Atlanta

ContactCenterExcellence

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

• Customer Contact Center, Division of Family and Children Services, Department of Human Resources, 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:

• Georgia Crime Information Center, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Decatur

Customer Service Champion of the Year

This award recognizes the Champion who has successfully guided customer