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CHASKA, Minn. (May 1, 2015) – The Performance Excellence Network (PEN), formerly the Minnesota Council for Quality, honored The Goodman Group and five other recipients on April 28 with the 2014 Performance Excellence Award (formerly the MN Quality Award), including five from Minnesota and one from South Dakota. The Award is based on the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and is the culmination of a rigorous evaluation of an organization’s management system. Evaluation Criteria includes leadership, strategic planning, customer-related processes, measurement and information systems, workforce engagement, and operations and recognizes organizations that are systematically improving results.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Minnesota-based Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Network with an Advancement Level Award for our systematic approach to all our operations and our game-changing innovations in our industry,” said Chairman John Goodman of The Goodman Group. “We are dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare services and programs for our residents and employees to achieve an optimum level of well-being. The Baldrige principles are a ‘guiding light’ for our organization to create sustainability for future generations.”

The organizations receiving the Award are: Du Fresne Manufacturing Company (Vadnais Heights), Seagate Technology Normandale (Bloomington), South Dakota National Guard (Rapid City), and The Goodman Group (Chaska), all at the Advancement Level; and Hennepin Technical College (Brooklyn Park) and Olmsted Medical Center (Rochester), both at the Commitment Level. These six organizations join 127 others recognized since 1991 for their systematic improvement efforts and superior outcomes.

In addition, PEN recognized seven organizations for successfully completing the Baldrige-based self-assessment, also designed for organizational improvement. These organizations are: District One Hospital, Allina Health (Faribault); H. Brooks & Associates (New Brighton); Industrial Contractors (Bismarck, ND); Lakeville Public Schools (Lakeville); Mayo Clinic Health System, SE Region (Rochester); Olmsted County Public Health (Rochester); and Pine Island Schools (Pine Island).

These organizations were featured at PENworks 2015, April 27-28 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center. The Awards were presented during a luncheon yesterday. The conference also featured five keynotes, four delivered by leaders from Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient organizations: Gerry Agnes, CEO, Elevations Credit Union (CO); David Huffstutler, CEO, St. David’s Healthcare (TX); Scott McIntyre, Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers Public Sector Practice (VA); and Jayne Pope, CEO, Hill Country Memorial (TX). All shared how their organizations have achieved world class outcomes using Baldrige and modern improvement techniques.

Jerry Kill, head coach of the Minnesota Gophers also delivered a keynote on how he is turning around the football program. Kill said: “the same principles that are improving our football program can help improve a business.” He went on to comment on the importance of strong coaches and leaders, teamwork, building a culture that encourages and sustains excellence, and focusing on fundamentals.

The event also recognized the 2014 Board of Evaluators, a group of nearly 70 volunteers supporting PEN’s mission of advancing performance excellence in the region. Evaluators include CEOs, business managers and professionals, physicians and surgeons, school superintendents and school teachers from throughout the Upper Midwest, each giving over 100 hours of volunteer service to help other organizations reach higher levels of performance.

Matt Massman, Commissioner of Administration for the State of Minnesota, offered remarks on behalf of Governor Dayton: “I congratulate the recipients of this year’s Performance Excellence Award. Organizations committed to continuous improvement see gains in productivity, efficiency, competitiveness, and outcomes important to customers, workers, and other stakeholders.”

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