The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Office of Management and Finance was honored with the 2019 Louisiana Performance Excellence Award (Level 1) at the state Louisiana Quality Foundation Award presentation.
It is the first time a state government agency has received the LPEA.
At the event, held May 21 at the Governor’s Mansion, the Louisiana Quality Foundation presented their awards geared toward performance excellence in leadership.
The LPEA (Level 1) is given for demonstrating achievement of award benchmarks that align with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria, an internationally recognized standard for performance excellence initiated in 1987. Applicants were required to submit an Organizational Profile or a written plan for review by a panel of LPEA examiners and judges.
“This recognition is the validation of a staff that is committed to a plan to develop and implement a new vision, and install core values that are focused on the customer and continual improvement striving for performance excellence,” said Bryan McClinton, LDWF Undersecretary for Management & Finance.
LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said, “The award fits into Gov. John Bel Edwards’ push that each state department operate like a business and that it cares for its customers as well as its employees. This is a signature honor for Undersecretary McClinton, his staff and our department.”
The LPEA has three levels of achievement. Montoucet and McClinton said the staff will be working toward earning recognition at the next two levels. “Our success will mean that our staff is fulfilling the needs of our agency and the citizens of Louisiana,” McClinton said.