Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence

OUR MISSION

Strengthening economic and organizational health across the region.

OUR VISION

To be a trusted partner and regional resource in achieving performance excellence.

Cycles of Excellence

The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence believes education, recognition of significant achievement, and the sharing of best practices and strategies will help organizations become more competitive on a national and international level.

Since its inception in 1993, TNCPE has provided assessments & feedback to over 1,000 organizations from myriad sectors – health care, service, education, manufacturing, government and non-profit. Using the framework of an awards program, TNCPE fulfills its mission by providing in-depth, low-cost assessments of regional organizations using the Baldrige Excellence Framework.

TNCPE trains regional professionals to provide these assessments as Examiners. Examiners then take the skills developed during training and the assessment process back to their own jobs, benefiting and improving their own organizations in the process.

Strong businesses, in turn, bring jobs and resources to not just the state of Tennessee but the entire region, supporting the people who call the Southeast home.

WE THRIVE ON

Continuous Improvement

Creating Value

Results-Driven Processes

Customer-Focused Excellence

Fiscal Sustainability

Fact-Based Management

Who We Are

A small, permanent team of executive and support staff handles day-to-day operations from our office in Nashville. In addition, TNCPE relies on the efforts of diverse and talented experts to realize our mission. These individuals contribute to TNCPE through their work on the TNCPE Board of Directors, the Board of Examiners and the Panel of Judges. Member organizations and individuals contribute through monetary or in-kind donations.

This is the TNCPE infrastructure, and each person involved plays an important role that helps sustain our organization.

There are many ways your talents can contribute as well. Learn how to get involved.

PROGRAMS + SERVICES

MEET THE EXPERTS

Heather Schoch

President & CEO

Kelley Molavi

Vice President of Operations

TNCPE Board of Directors

Chair, Chris Gray
Vice Chair/Treasurer, David Hart
Secretary, Mitch Barton
Past Chair, Commissioner Juan Williams
Parliamentarian, Danette Scudder
Ex Officio, Heather Schoch

Mitch Barton
Associate Attorney
Chambliss, Bahner, and Stophel, P.C.

Dr. Herb Byrd, III
Vice President for Public Service
UT Institute for Public Service

Reynold Douglas
General Services Director
City of Germantown

Diana Fisher
Sr. Vice President, Strategy and Business Operations
Hillcrest Healthcare

Chris Gray
Owner
Griffin Mechanical, LLC

Kevin Grayson
Director, North Carolina Award for Excellence
North Carolina State University

Brad Green
President/CEO
Listerhill Credit Union

David Hart
CEO
TRICOR

Lacey Hayes
EOS Worldwide

Melissa Lamb
Assistant Vice President, Medicare Operations
CGS Administrators

Melissa Marty
Chief Financial Officer
Huntsville (AL) Utilities

Kim Mason
Executive Director, Pharmacy & Research
University of Tennessee Medical Center

Kelley Molavi
Vice President of Operations
Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence

Sharon Nichols
State Director
Mississippi Small Business Development Center

Clifton Peay
Director of Performance Management
Metropolitan Govt. of Nashville & Davidson County

Dan Pratt
Vice President, Customer Delivery
Tennessee Valley Authority

Tina Reisedge
Operational Excellence Leader
First Horizon Bank

Heather Schoch
President and CEO
Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence

Danette Scudder
Executive Vice President
Tennessee Valley Public Power Association

Ocpivia Stafford
President
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare – South Hospital

Juan Williams
Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Human Resources

2025 Award Recipients

Excellence Award

Erwin Utilities Authority

Commitment Award

Winchester Utility System

Interest Award

City of Franklin

City of Goodlettsville

Past Excellence Winners

2024 Metro Tennova Healthcare

2022 Listerhill Credit Union, Muscle Shoals

2019 NHC South Central Region, Pulaski

2018 Griffin Mechanical, LLC, Dickson

2017 *City of Germantown

2016 The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville

2015 McClaskey Excellence Institute (formerly Pal’s Business Excellence Institute), Kingsport

2014 Maury Regional Medical Center, Columbia

2013 Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City

2012 *Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority

2010 CIGNA Government Services, Nashville

2009 Maury Regional Medical Center, Columbia, Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City

2008 Caris Healthcare, Knoxville

2007 Wellmont Health System, Kingsport

2006 *Pal’s Sudden Service, Kingsport

2005 Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City

2003 Marie B. Williams, Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence Founding Director (1993-2004) Honorary Excellence Award

2002 John Deere Power Products, Greeneville; Tennessee Valley Authority Nuclear, Chattanooga

2001 *Pal’s Sudden Service, Kingsport

2000 Eaton Aeroquip-Gainesboro

1999 *Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Nashville, Global Excellence; Memphis Light, Gas and Water

1998 Baptist Health System of Knoxville; Fleetguard Inc., Nashville, Global Excellence

1997 Eaton Corporation of Shelbyville; Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

1996 Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., Morrison

1995 Dr. Curt W. Reimann, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Founding Director (1987-1995), Honorary Excellence Award

1994 *Bristol Tennessee Electric System; *Federal Express Corporation Memphis Hub Operations, Memphis; Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation, Smyrna

1993 *Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport; Philips Consumer Electronics Company, Knoxville

*denotes recipients of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

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The Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award

The Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award annually recognizes an individual who exemplifies outstanding leadership in the pursuit of performance excellence and has furthered performance improvement beyond the boundaries of his or her organization.

Winners are committed to the core values of the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence and the Baldrige Excellence Framework. The award’s namesake is former Tennessee Governor Ned. R. McWherter. Governor McWherter was integral to the formation of TNCPE in 1993.

Nominations for the Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award are solicited from TNCPE Members. The award recipient is selected by the executive committee and confirmed by the full Board of Directors.

Image // Governor McWherter, official portrait

Past recipients

2026 Wes Kelley

2025 Lee H. Brown

2024 Tami Anderson

2023 Patrick J. Lawton

2022 Doran Johnson

2021 Rebecca Hunter

2020 David M. Jones

2019 John J. Dreyzehner, MD & Charles E. Shoopman, Jr.

2018 Donald C. Fisher, Ph.D.

2017 Jim Duensing

2016 Thom Crosby

2015 Lewis Lavine

2014 Dr. Joe Alexander

2013 Robert Otwell

2012 Dennis Vonderfecht

2011 David J. McClaskey

2010 Dr. R. Michael Browder

2009 Dr. Susan Williams

2008 Ed Scott

2007 Jan McNally

2006 Andy Czuchry

2005 Bob Bell

The Katie Rawls Champion of Excellence Award

The Katie Rawls Champion of Excellence Award was created to recognize one individual each year who Is dedicated to the principles of the Criteria for Performance Excellence, works tirelessly to further performance improvement within his or her organization, and is committed to the core values of the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence program.

Nominations are solicited from the members of TNCPE and the award recipient is selected by the executive committee of the Board of Directors. Current board members are not eligible for this award.

Past recipients

2026 Sam Turner

2025 Cathi Phillips

2024 Abigail Gaddy

2023 Jimmy Bivens

2022 Stephanie Brooks

2021 Peter Kapolas and Casey Norris

2020 Lynnsey Seagroves

2019 Joanna Rogers

2018 Elaine Boyd

2017 Leslie Blevins

2016 Michael Hubbard and Bruce Behringer

2015 Sendy Gregory

2014 Walt Matwijec

2013 Maria Wong

2012 Dr. David Fleming

2011 Renee Tew

2010 Heather Schoch

2009 Tamera Fields

Katie Rawls, Former President & CEO, Champion of Excellence Award

Want to support Excellence in the Southeast?

(And get some amazing benefits for your organization)

Become a Member

Category	Points	Level 4 50 pgs.	Level 3 35 pgs.	Level 2 15 pgs.
1 \| Leadership	115	7	4.2	1.8
2 \| Strategic Planning	90	4	2.9	1.3
3 \| Customer Focus	85	5	2.9	1.3
4 \| Measurement, Analysis, Knowledge Management	90	4	3.2	1.3
5 \| Workforce Focus	85	4	2.9	1.3
6 \| Operations Focus	85	6	2.9	1.3
7 \| Results	450	20	16	6.7
Totals	1,000	50	35	15

Assessment Level	Number of Employees	*Site Visit/Workshop Fee -** Member	*Site Visit/Workshop Fee -** Non-Member
Excellence Award (Level 4)	Less than 100	$2,160	$2,700
	100-500	$3,120	$3,900
	501-1,500	$5,040	$6,300
	More Than 1,500	$6,000	$7,500
Achievement Award (Level 3)	Less than 100	$1,920	$2,400
	100-500	$2,640	$3,300
	501-1,500	$4,080	$5,100
	More Than 1,500	$5,280	$6,600
Commitment Award (Level 2)	Less than 100	$1,680	$2,100
	100-500	$2,400	$3,000
	501-1,500	$3,840	$4,800
	More Than 1,500	$5,040	$6,300
Interest Award (Level 1)	Less than 100	$680	$850
	100-500	$920	$1,150
	501-1,500	$1,400	$1,750
	More Than 1,500	$1,880	$2,350

Requirement	Commitment Award (Level 2)	Achievement Award (Level 3)	Excellence Award (Level 4)
Intent to Apply/Eligibility Form	REQUIRED FOR ALL Submit by May 31 Intent to Apply due with $250 non-refundable fee
Organization Profile	REQUIRED FOR ALL 5-page maximum The Organizational Profile is submitted along with the Application Form, Application Fee, and Criteria Response. (see below)
Application Form & Fee	REQUIRED FOR ALL Submit by July 31 Applicants must use the Application Form via tncpe.org.
CEO Signature	REQUIRED FOR ALL
Criteria Response	1. Organizational Profile 2. Basic Item Questions 15-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format	1. Organizational Profile 2. Overall Item Questions 35-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format	1. Organizational Profile 2. Multiple Item Requirements 50-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format
Site Visit*	One day, plus half-day workshop**	Two days	Three days
Recognition Eligibility	Commitment or Interest	Achievement, Commitment, or Interest	Excellence, Achievement, Commitment, or Interest
Applicant Responsibilities		Provide at least one TNCPE examiner*** Assistance to other organizations	Provide 2 or more TNCPE examiners† (a balanced combination of new and experienced) Assistance to other organizations Participation in annual Conference Best Practice tour

Number of Employees (Full-Time Equivalent)	Workshop Fee (L1) / Application Fee (L2,3,4) Member	Workshop Fee (L1) / Application Fee (L2,3,4) Non-Member
Less than 100	$920/$1,600	$1,150/$2,000
100-500	$1,640/$3,040	$2,050/$3,800
501-1,500	$2,600/$4,960	$3,250/$6,200
More Than 1,500	$3,800/$7,360	$4,750/$9,200

Assessment Level	Number of Employees	Intent to Apply / Administration Fee	Application/Workshop Fee - Member / Non-Member	Site Visit/Workshop Fee* - Member / Non-Member	Total with 20% Member Discount	Total at Regular Rate
Excellence Award (Level 4)	Less than 100	$250	$1,600/ $2,000	$2,160/ $2,700	$4,010	$4,950
	100-500	$250	$3,040/ $3,800	$3,120/ $3,900	$6,410	$7,950
	501-1,500	$250	$4,960/ $6,200	$5,040/ $6,300	$10,250	$12,750
	More Than 1,500	$250	$7,360/ $9,200	$6,000/ $7,500	$13,610	$16,950
Achievement Award (Level 3)	Less than 100	$250	$1,600/ $2,000	$1,920 / $2,400	$3,770	$4,650
	100-500	$250	$3,040/ $2,000	$2,640/ $3,300	$5,930	$7,350
	501-1,500	$250	$4,960/ $6,200	$4,080/ $5,100	$9,290	$11,550
	More Than 1,500	$250	$7,360/ $9,200	$5,280/ $6,600	$12,890	$16,050
Commitment Award (Level 2)	Less than 100	$250	$1,600/ $2,000	$1,680/ $2,100	$3,530	$4,350
	100-500	$250	$3,040/ $3,800	$2,400/ $3,000	$5,690	$7,050
	501-1,500	$250	$4,960/ $6,200	$3,840/ $4,800	$9,050	$11,250
	More Than 1,500	$250	$7,360/ $9,200	$5,040/ $6,300	$12,650	$15,750
Interest Award (Level 1)	Less than 100	$250	$920/ $1,150	$680/ $850	$1,850	$2,250
	100-500	$250	$1,640/ $2,050	$920/ $1,150	$2,810	$3,450
	501-1,500	$250	$2,600/ $3,250	$1,400/ $1,750	$4,250	$5,250
	More Than 1,500	$250	$3,800/ $4,750	$1,880/ $2,350	$5,930	$7,350

OUR MISSION

Strengthening economic and organizational health across the region.

OUR VISION

To be a trusted partner and regional resource in achieving performance excellence.

Cycles of Excellence

WE THRIVE ON

Continuous Improvement

Creating Value

Results-Driven Processes

Customer-Focused Excellence

Fiscal Sustainability

Fact-Based Management

Who We Are

MEET THE EXPERTS

Heather Schoch

Kelley Molavi

TNCPE Board of Directors

Chair, Chris Gray Vice Chair/Treasurer, David Hart Secretary, Mitch Barton Past Chair, Commissioner Juan Williams Parliamentarian, Danette Scudder Ex Officio, Heather Schoch

2025 Award Recipients

Excellence Award

Achievement Award

Commitment Award

Interest Award

Past Excellence Winners

Ready to join this group of world-class organizations?

The Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award

Past recipients

The Katie Rawls Champion of Excellence Award

Past recipients

Want to support Excellence in the Southeast?

(And get some amazing benefits for your organization)

Chair, Chris Gray
Vice Chair/Treasurer, David Hart
Secretary, Mitch Barton
Past Chair, Commissioner Juan Williams
Parliamentarian, Danette Scudder
Ex Officio, Heather Schoch