PHOENIX, Jun 09, 2005 -- BUSINESS WIRE
APS this week was recognized with a prestigious Stevie(TM) Award in the category of Best Customer Service Team at the 2005 American Business Awards(SM) held in New York City.
Hailed as "the business world's own Oscars" by the New York Post (April 27, 2005), The American Business Awards are the first national, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace.
Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word "crowned," the awards were presented during ceremonies at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The ceremonies were hosted by CNN personality Ali Velshi, videocast live on the Internet, and broadcast nationwide on radio. Donald J. Trump received the first Lifetime Achievement Stevie Award.
"This award recognizes the great cross-channel communication and team work required by all parts of our organization during what was an incredibly challenging time," said Kim Seney, APS Director of Customer Operations. "Through the entire process, our employees maintained timely and helpful information that engaged our customers as 'true partners.' We couldn't have been successful without them."
During the five weeks last summer when transmission capabilities were restricted due to fires, APS employees focused on providing frequent and relevant communication to our customers so that the entire community of business and residential customers could help reduce energy usage during critical times. The aps.com Web site, key account managers, and online E-care, call center and outbound personnel were integral in communicating quickly and directly with both commercial and residential customers. As a result:
-- Customers reduced their energy demand an average of 200-300 megawatts daily (equal to the entire needs of as many as 300,000 households) - just enough to avert involuntary outages;
-- The APS real-time energy meter on aps.com received more than 400,000 hits; and
-- Surveys during the heart of the crisis revealed 8 of 10 customers knew about the need to conserve.
In winning the Stevie(TM), APS beat out other prominent national finalists including T-Mobile Wireless, Enterprise Fleet Services and Fidelity Information Services.
According to Michael Gallagher, founder and president of The Stevie(TM) Awards, "the American Business Awards have grown so quickly because there was a need for a program such as this, to shine a spotlight on executives and businesses that too often go unheralded.
"This week we honored outstanding companies like APS - and the individuals and teams that contribute to its success."
More than 100 Stevies(TM) were presented in over 40 categories including Best Overall Company, Best Executive, Best Support Staffer, and Best Corporate Web Site. More than 1,200 nominations from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration.
In addition, pinnaclewest.com, the Web site of APS' parent company, Pinnacle West Capital Corp. was honored as one of 10 finalists, alongside several large, multi-national corporations, in the Corporate Web sites - Investor Relations category.
About The Stevie(TM) Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of Finalists and Stevie Award winners are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba .
About APS
APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 989,500 customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the largest subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
Note: Artwork/logos of the Stevies(TM) may be obtained at: http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_1391_11337.cfm
SOURCE: Arizona Public Service Company
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