Tallahassee, Fla. — On Thursday, August 8, Florida TaxWatch held a press conference at their headquarters to announce some of the winners for the TaxWatch Productivity Awards, presented by Kyra Solutions. A group of sponsors and winners gathered together to support the winning agencies and state employees that have made an impactful difference in our state.
TaxWatch will be handing out nearly 200 awards this year, to a group of roughly 550 employees and 17 large teams. The large teams range from the Department of Environmental Protection as a unit, to the FIU Police Department, to the FSU Learning Systems Institute/CPALMS staff.
“The TaxWatch Productivity Awards recognize the commitment and innovation of our state employees who are serving Florida while working to save our taxpayer dollars,” stated Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. “Thank you to Kyra Solutions for ensuring this vital program continues to thrive for years to come, recognizing and encouraging the diligence of these dedicated public servants.”
“Kyra Solutions is proud to be the lead sponsor of the TaxWatch Productivity Awards recognizing state employees, who often go unrecognized, for their efforts in making our state more efficient and effective,” expressed Kyra Solutions, Inc. President and CEO Piyush Patel.
Kyra Solutions, Inc. is the title sponsor of the Awards program for the next decade. The firm exclusively serves the public sector; it has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Florida and won one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America. The TaxWatch Productivity Awards Program publicly recognizes and rewards state employees and work units whose work significantly and measurably increases productivity and promotes innovation to improve the delivery of state services and save money for Florida taxpayers and businesses. Since the inception of the program 30 years ago, over 16,000 nominations have been submitted to recognize state employees who have produced over $10 billion of added value to Florida’s taxpayers.
The TaxWatch Productivity Awards will kick off its award ceremonies on September 11, 2019 in Tallahassee and continue to travel around central and south Florida to present awards to the state employees in other regions. A list of winners is available on the Florida TaxWatch website.
Tallahassee, Fla. - On Tuesday, June 4, the Florida Cabinet unanimously passed a resolution declaring July 2019 as Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards Recognition Month. Kyra Solutions, Inc. who has served the Florida’s public sector since 2002, is the title sponsor of the Awards program for the next decade and was recognized by the Cabinet for this generous sponsorship. The TaxWatch Productivity Awards publicly recognizes and rewards state employees and work units whose work significantly and measurably increases productivity and promotes innovation to improve the delivery of state services and save money for Florida taxpayers and businesses. Since the inception of the program 30 years ago, over 16,000 nominations have been submitted to recognize state employees who have produced over $10 billion of added value to Florida’s taxpayers.
“The TaxWatch Productivity Awards recognize the commitment and innovation of our state employees who are serving Florida while working to save our taxpayer dollars,” stated Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who sponsored the resolution. “Thank you to Kyra Solutions for ensuring this vital program continues to thrive for years to come, recognizing and encouraging the diligence of these dedicated public servants.”
Kyra Solutions held a kickoff reception on March 25 at its Tallahassee Collaboration Center with past winners, agency secretaries, department heads, coordinators, and chiefs of staff in attendance. Judging for this year’s awards is currently taking place. Winners will be announced on September 11, 2019 at the Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards Ceremony in Tallahassee, FL.
“Kyra Solutions is excited and proud to be the lead sponsor of TaxWatch Productivity Awards recognizing state employees who go above and beyond their call of duty to make our state more efficient and effective,” said Piyush Patel, Kyra Solutions, Inc. President & CEO.
May 23, 2019
Orlando, FL
Building on nearly four decades of serving Florida’s taxpayers by improving government efficiency and taxpayer value in all areas of public policy, Florida TaxWatch established the Principal Leadership Awards program in 2014 to identify Florida’s most effective principals in high-risk K-12 public schools, recognize and reward their work, and promote their transformational practices throughout the state. The goal of the program is to improve student achievement in high-risk schools, thereby closing the achievement gap.
June 9-13, 2019
Fairmont, MT
The 111th Association of American State Geologists Annual Meeting will be held in Montana at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort from June 9-13th. AASG represents the chief executives of the geological survey agencies from the 50 states and Puerto Rico. The four-day meeting includes technical sessions, field trips, and keynote addresses by invited speakers from across the realm of science, energy, environment, and policy.
June 13-14, 2019
Orlando, FL
The 2019 Sunshine State Scholars program will be held June 13-14, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Each of Florida’s school districts selects their top 11th grade students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Each of the scholars, along with their parents, will travel to Orlando for an extraordinary two-day program. This year’s program will bring 100 high school STEM scholars together to conduct a “think tank” on tough Florida challenges.
May 16-17, 2019
Tallahassee, FL
Government Technology’s passion is helping spread best practices and spurring innovation in the public sector. The Florida Digital Government Summit is designed to do just that. The summit has an advisory board that gathers public sector and private sector leaders to create an agenda that is relevant and actionable to the state and local government organizations attending the summit. Participants can take advantage of inspirational keynotes, leadership discussions, networking breaks, and timely topics discussed in the numerous breakout sessions to help advance the goals of their organizations and their own career paths.
June 24-26, 2019
Orlando, FL
The 2019 FAMIS Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida at the Marriott World Center. Over 400 CIO’s, IT Staff, Instructional Technologists, and Florida Department of Education staff representing 60+ counties in Florida were in attendance last year, and this year will be even bigger!
On Sunday, the world lost a larger than life contributor to IT architecture, hockey, and the people around him. Kyra lost a great employee -- we will remember your laugh, your passion, and your beautiful soul.
Here is a loving tribute written by his manager:
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Clayton Wright. Clayton was an Infrastructure Architect and SharePoint Engineer for Turnpike’s OIT department. Over his 4 years, at the Turnpike, he made invaluable contributions to the Turnpike mission. He was instrumental to the redesign and implementation of the IT infrastructure we currently use today. He wore many different hats and had knowledge of many different subjects. Clayton frequently would help users with anything they needed, regardless of whether or not it was in his area of responsibility.
Aside from his work contributions, Clayton was more importantly a good person and gentle soul, reaching out to those that needed help and offering his knowledge and services to them. He was patient. He was passionate about the work he did here and in being successful. Outside of work, he enjoyed building and tinkering…always having a home project going on that seemed insurmountable to the rest of us, but still finding ways to complete it. He was involved in moving the local recreational hockey league forward, and was a good friend and good father, always putting family first.
For those who worked closely with him, he will surely be missed. For those who have never met him, know that his contributions are at work each day you use our IT systems at the Turnpike.
He may have lost his battle with cancer, but he never stopped working for the mission of the Turnpike, and for all those around him. He leaves behind a wife, a daughter, and two sons.
We will miss you, my friend. Your friendship and time with us will never be forgotten.
Congratulations to all the winners! Your work is an inspiration and deserves recognition. We appreciate the dedication and time spent mentoring and pouring into the lives of young women in Florida. You are making a remarkable difference in our society.
Congratulations!!! We’re so proud to sponsor such a prestigious award that recognizes innovation by our state employees. Keep up the awesome work!!Congratulations to the talented scientists at our Division of Plant Industry for receiving the Florida TaxWatch Productivity Award for Quality, highlighting their exceptional work and dedication.
Our Department staff strives for innovation, service, and accountability for Florida’s taxpayers. 👩🔬 🌱
Congratulations!! Thanks for all that you do innovate and save precious tax dollars!
Florida Tax Watch Productivity Awards Press Conference
Presented by Kyra Solutions ☀️🏆
