Governor George V. Voinovich announced today the creation of the Ohio Award For Excellence, at a press conference at the Columbus Convention Center.

"If we are to ensure Ohio's place as a global leader in the 21st century, all of us, whether we are in government, business or education, must commit to quality principals to achieve excellence," said Governor Voinovich. "This award will recognize those organizations that are embracing the quality process to ensure success."

The Ohio Award for Excellence will be presented annually to organizations that meet and exceed proven organizational effectiveness criteria. The award program has four levels, the highest of which will be called the Governor's Award for Excellence.

The Ohio Award for Excellence is based on the nationally recognized performance excellence criteria used by other states and the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. Quality initiatives have proven to be a great benefit to organizations that implement them. For example, private sector Baldridge Award recipients report that they financially outperform their competitors by a ration of 2.7 to 1. The state of Ohio, through its Quality Service through Partnership initiative, has documented more than $90 million in savings through the implementation of process improvements.

The award program was created by the Ohio Award for Excellence Council, which is a consortium of manufacturing, services, government, education, not for profit, and health care organizations, who have partnered to make the award a reality. The program will be funded by participating organizations in their quest for excellence.

Those Ohio organizations currently involved in the award include:

ABB Industrial Systems, Ashland Chemical Company, AQP, ASQ, ASC/MQB, Center for Information & Technology Services, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Dana Corporation, Employee Participation Council, EPC Industries, Inc., Eaton Corporation, Fairview Hospital & Cleveland Clinic Health System, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton County Educational Service Center, Hart and Associates, KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP, Kelltech Field Service Corporation, Kent State University, Key Bank National Association, Kuss Corporation, NCR Corporation, Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Department of Commerce, Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Manufacturer's Association, Ohio Office of Quality Services, Ohio Small Business Development Center, Picker International, Inc. Procter & Gamble Company, Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn, Standard Register Company, Strategic Innovations, Inc., Timken Company, Tri-county Education Service Center, United Way Service, University of Cincinnati, Vicker Electronics Systems, WINOC.

Organizations interested in participating in the award process should call (419) 322-7500.