The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Office of Management and Finance was honored with the 2019 Louisiana Performance Excellence Award (Level 1) at the state Louisiana Quality Foundation Award presentation. It is the first time a state government agency has received the LPEA.
At the event, held May 21 at the Governor’s Mansion, the Louisiana Quality Foundation presented their awards geared toward performance excellence in leadership.
The LPEA (Level 1) is given for demonstrating achievement of award benchmarks that align with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria, an internationally recognized standard for performance excellence initiated in 1987. Applicants were required to submit an Organizational Profile or a written plan for review by a panel of LPEA examiners and judges.
“This recognition is the validation of a staff that is committed to a plan to develop and implement a new vision, and install core values that are focused on the customer and continual improvement striving for performance excellence,” said Bryan McClinton, LDWF Undersecretary for Management & Finance.
LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said, “The award fits into Gov. John Bel Edwards’ push that each state department operate like a business and that it cares for its customers as well as its employees. This is a signature honor for Undersecretary McClinton, his staff and our department.”
The LPEA has three levels of achievement. Montoucet and McClinton said the staff will be working toward earning recognition at the next two levels. “Our success will mean that our staff is fulfilling the needs of our agency and the citizens of Louisiana,” McClinton said.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: Office of Management and Finance
The Office of Management and Finance (OMF) is one of four Agencies within the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). LDWF is established in the law in RS 36:60I and 602 Chapter 13. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, through its offices and officers, shall control and supervise all wildlife of the state, including fish and all other aquatic life, and shall execute the laws enacted for the control and supervision of programs relating to the management, protection, conservation, and replenishment of wildlife, fish, and aquatic life in the state, and the regulation of the shipping of wildlife, fish, furs, and skins. The establishment of the Undersecretary and the functions of the Office of Management and Finance are established in RS 36:607,
The primary function of the OMF is to provide support services to the other agencies within LDWF. OMF is led by an unclassified Undersecretary. Other senior leadership consist of a deputy undersecretary and the section heads over Fiscal, (accounting, payables, and receivables), Property Control, Human Resources, Procurement, and Licensing. Each of these section leaders are responsible for the employees and function within each section.
Product/ Service and Delivery
Providing excellent customer service is important to the success of OMF. The Office provides information, assistance, oversight, and regulations to the employees at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. It also processes point-of-sales (POS) actions and provides information to members of the Public. Figure P.1-1 Main Service and Deliveries identifies the services.
