TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch announced the winners of the 2017 Prudential Productivity Awards at a press conference in its offices in Tallahassee. 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 is proud to bestow 203 awards upon these hard-working state employees and teams from across the state for their achievements and efforts.

“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 everyday 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.

Sponsored by Prudential, the Florida Lottery and AvMed Health Plans, as well as the Florida Council of 100 and the State of Florida, the awards program travels around the state to recognize winners from Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami. Regional luncheon awards ceremonies will be held on June 14 in Tallahassee, June 20 in Tampa, June 21 in Miami, 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.“

For the full list of winners, click here.