Press Releases

Commerce Secretary Names Florida Educator as Judge for Baldrige Program

Corace to Help Promote Organizational Innovation and Performance Excellence

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has appointed Florida Educator Mary Beth Corace, Ph.D., to serve on the 2009 Panel of Judges for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest honor for organizational innovation and performance excellence.

"In these difficult economic times, the Baldrige Program encourages organizations to develop world-class operations and serve customers well,” Locke said. “We’re pleased to have someone with Dr. Corace’s knowledge and experience helping lead the effort."

Corace is the International Baccalaureate director at Palm Harbor University High School (Palm Harbor, Fla.), and adjunct professor at the University of South Florida (St. Petersburg, Fla.).

All applicants for the Baldrige Award are evaluated rigorously by an independent board of examiners in seven areas:

• leadership
• strategic planning
• customer focus
• measurement
• analysis and knowledge management
• workforce focus
• process management
• results

Based on these assessments, the highest-ranking applicants are chosen for an on-site visit by a team of examiners to clarify questions and verify information in their applications. As a judge, Corace will be responsible for selecting which applicants receive site visits, and ultimately, which applicants are recommended to Secretary Locke as Award recipients.

Corace serves alongside 11 other leading experts selected from industry, professional, charitable and trade organizations; education; health care and government.

Corace brings to the Panel of Judges a wealth of experience and knowledge gained from more than 25 years in a variety of educational settings, six years of service as a senior and alumni member of the Malcolm Baldrige Board of Examiners, ten years leading quality improvement efforts in Florida’s Pinellas County Schools, and participation with the Florida Governor’s Sterling Council as a lead or senior examiner since 2001. She is an active member of several professional associations and has been honored with numerous awards, including a 1997 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award, selection to the Florida League of Teachers, and a 2006 Performance Excellence Award.

Named after Malcolm Baldrige, the 26th Secretary of Commerce, the Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987. Awards may be given annually to organizations in each of six categories:

• manufacturing
• service
• small business
• education
• health care
• nonprofit

The Award promotes innovation and excellence in organizational performance, recognizes the achievements and results of U.S. organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies. Since 1988, 75 organizations have received Baldrige Awards.

The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) manages the Baldrige Award in conjunction with the private sector.

Further information on the Baldrige National Quality Program and the Baldrige Award is available at www.baldrige.nist.gov.