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.
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.
Linsey Ackerman
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
Dr. Herb Byrd, III
Vice President for Public Service
UT Institute for Public Service
Reynold Douglas
General Services Director
City of Germantown
Chris Gray
Owner
Griffin Mechanical, LLC
Kevin Grayson
Assistant Director of Technology Management
North Carolina State University
Jim Harlan
Professor and Interim Chair Dept. of Management and Marketing
ETSU
David Hart
CEO
TRICOR
Lacey Hayes
Caris Healthcare
Paul Martin
Vice President and Administrator
Trezevant Episcopal Home
Melissa Marty
Huntsville (AL) Utilities
Kim Mason
Executive Director, Pharmacy & Research
University of Tennessee Medical Center
Stacey Max
Director of Engineering
Marvin Windows and Doors of Tennessee
Kelley Molavi
Director of Programs
Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence
Clifton Peay
Director
Office of Customer Focused Government
Dan Pratt
Vice President, Customer Delivery
Tennessee Valley Authority
Heather Schoch
President and CEO
Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence
Danette Scudder
Executive Vice President
Tennessee Valley Public Power Association
Amy Shreve
Executive Vice President
First Horizon Bank
Dr. Michael Ugwueke
President and CEO
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
Juan Williams
Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Human Resources
Area Resources for Community & Human Services
TRICOR
Metro Tennova Healthcare
Trezevant Episcopal Home – Allen Morgan Health and Rehabilitation Center
Sofix, LLC
University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services
Jetright Aerospace Holdings, LLC
2019Â NHC South Central Region, Pulaski
2018Â Griffin Mechanical, LLC, Dickson
2017Â *City of Germantown
2016Â The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville
2015Â McClaskey Excellence Institute (formerly Pal’s Business Excellence Institute), Kingsport
2014Â Maury Regional Medical Center, Columbia
2013Â Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City
2012Â *Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
2010Â CIGNA Government Services, Nashville
2009Â Maury Regional Medical Center, Columbia, Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City
2008Â Caris Healthcare, Knoxville
2007Â Wellmont Health System, Kingsport
2006 *Pal’s Sudden Service, Kingsport
2005Â Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City
2003Â Marie B. Williams, Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence Founding Director (1993-2004) Honorary Excellence Award
2002Â John Deere Power Products, Greeneville; Tennessee Valley Authority Nuclear, Chattanooga
2001 *Pal’s Sudden Service, Kingsport
2000Â Eaton Aeroquip-Gainesboro
1999Â *Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Nashville, Global Excellence; Memphis Light, Gas and Water
1998Â Baptist Health System of Knoxville; Fleetguard Inc., Nashville, Global Excellence
1997Â Eaton Corporation of Shelbyville; Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge
1996Â Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., Morrison
1995Â Dr. Curt W. Reimann, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Founding Director (1987-1995), Honorary Excellence Award
1994Â *Bristol Tennessee Electric System; *Federal Express Corporation Memphis Hub Operations, Memphis; Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation, Smyrna
1993Â *Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport; Philips Consumer Electronics Company, Knoxville
*denotes recipients of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality 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
2023 Patrick J. Lawton
2022 Doran Johnson
2021 Rebecca Hunter
2020 David M. Jones
2019Â 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 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.
2023Â Jimmy Bivens
2022 Stephanie Brooks
2021 Peter Kapolas and Casey Norris
2020 Lynnsey Seagroves
2019 Joanna Rogers
2018 Elaine Boyd
2017 Leslie Blevins
2016Â 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
Category | Points | Level 4 50 pgs. | Level 3 35 pgs. | Level 2 15 pgs. |
1 | Leadership | 120 | 7 | 4.2 | |
2 | Strategic Planning | 85 | 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 |
The Criteria response must be submitted with the Organizational Profile, Application Form, and Application Fee.
Glossaries, title pages, organizational charts, and tables of contents are not counted in the page limit. All remaining pages should be consecutively numbered from start to finish. Electronic materials must be saved in one PDF file and emailed to contact@tncpe.org by the deadline on the Application Form. Please do not send a PDF of a scanned document.
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 |
*Applicants outside of Tennessee must pay an additional $1,000 travel fee. Applicants will be invoiced for the Site Visit Fee following completion of the site visit.
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 |
*This application fee table applies to Levels 2, 3, & 4.
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 | $3,610 | $4,450 |
100-500 | $250 | $3,040/ $3,800 | $3,120/ $3,900 | $6,010 | $7,450 | |
501-1,500 | $250 | $4,960/ $6,200 | $5,040/ $6,300 | $9,850 | $12,250 | |
More Than 1,500 | $250 | $7,360/ $9,200 | $6,000/ $7,500 | $13,210 | $16,450 | |
Achievement Award (Level 3) | Less than 100 | $250 | $1,600/ $2,000 | $1,920 / $2,400 | $3,320 | $4,150 |
100-500 | $250 | $3,040/ $2,000 | $2,640/ $3,300 | $5,480 | $6,850 | |
501-1,500 | $250 | $4,960/ $6,200 | $4,080/ $5,100 | $8,840 | $11,050 | |
More Than 1,500 | $250 | $7,360/ $9,200 | $5,280/ $6,600 | $12,440 | $15,550 | |
Commitment Award (Level 2) | Less than 100 | $250 | $1,600/ $2,000 | $1,680/ $2,100 | $3,130 | $3,850 |
100-500 | $250 | $3,040/ $3,800 | $2,400/ $3,000 | $5,290 | $6,550 | |
501-1,500 | $250 | $4,960/ $6,200 | $3,840/ $4,800 | $8,650 | $10,750 | |
More Than 1,500 | $250 | $7,360/ $9,200 | $5,040/ $6,300 | $12,250 | $15,250 | |
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 |
Workforce size is based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees working for the applicant. FTEs are defined as those who regularly work 37.5 or more hours a week and are entitled to benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and insurance coverage. Each instance of job sharing, where multiple individuals fulfill the responsibilities of a single position that require 37.5 or more hours per week, is counted as one FTE.
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 15 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***
| Provide 2 or more TNCPE examiners† (a balanced combination of new and experienced)
Participation in annual Conference |
* Applicants must pay a site visit fee to cover site visit costs. See table below for details.
** After receiving their Feedback Report, Level 2 applicants host a half-day workshop that will help them understand and prioritize the examiners’ feedback.
*** Examiners are provided for the next application cycle.