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Laboratory organizations honored at Quality New Mexico Awards ceremony

For steady progress on their process improvement path and dedication to quality principles, both the Environmental Stewardship (ENV) Division (formerly the Risk Reduction and Environmental Stewardship Division) and the Lab's Internal Assessments Group (AA-2) earned 2004 Quality New Mexico (QNM) Awards. To acknowledge this prestigious achievement, QNM will hold a recognition ceremony at 6 p.m., Wednesday in Albuquerque. The formal awards presentation, featuring Governor Bill Richardson, will occur on March 31, 2005, in Bernalillo during QNM's annual conference.

In reference to the Lab's award winners, Julia Gabaldon, president and CEO of QNM, said: "These organizations have looked inside themselves and recognized the importance of quality in their journey to excellence. Los Alamos [National Laboratory] has been one of our major partners from the very beginning. We are grateful to [the Laboratory] for making a commitment to improving New Mexico."

QNM is designed in accordance with and recognized by the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program -- an effort to stimulate performance excellence named for Malcolm Baldrige, who served as Secretary of Commerce from 1981-1987. QNM's mission is to "Motivate, Educate and Congratulate New Mexico Businesses and Organizations for Achievement in Performance Excellence."

Based on quality initiative information contained in its quality self-assessment submission, ENV Division obtained QNM's Roadrunner recognition for significant progress in quality due to its solid approach to quality management and implementation of successful systems, processes and plans. The Internal Assessments Group was awarded QNM's Piñon recognition regarding commitment to quality concepts and principles in light of the group's productive, systematic approach to quality practices.

In appreciation of these organizations' continual quality efforts, Bill Wadt, Prime Contract (PCO) Office leader stated, "All Lab employees should applaud and encourage organizations, such as the ENV Division and the Internal Assessments Group, who have committed to use the Baldrige National Quality standards to drive systematic improvement in their operations."

Other community award winners from Northern New Mexico include the following:

• Los Alamos Middle School
• Mountain Elementary School in Los Alamos
• Town of Taos, N.M.
• Kit Carson Electric Cooperation in Taos

Several other award recipients reside in Albuquerque, Gallup and surrounding areas in Southern New Mexico. For a complete list of winners and more information on QNM, go to the QNM Web site at: http://www.qualitynewmexico.org online.

--Hildi T. Kelsey

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