Company Profile
Southwest Alliance for Excellence
Company Overview
WELCOME
SWAE is making Arizona, Nevada and Utah better places to live, learn and work by helping organizations in these states achieve superior results through the use of the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. To fulfill our mission, SWAE provides opportunities for organizations to submit their application for the SWAE Performance Excellence Award and trains Examiners in support of the application review process. If you would like to be a part of supporting SWAE please see our Membership or Sponsorship information. To learn more about SWAE please call (480) 874-5815.
Who We Are
The Southwest Alliance for Excellence is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that advances improvement and excellence in organizations, communities and individuals throughout Arizona, Nevada and Utah. The SWAE is administered by a professional staff under the leadership and guidance of its members and elected Board of Directors. The SWAE is also a member of the Alliance for Performance Excellence, a national network of state programs that advance improvement in organizations by using the Baldrige Criteria.
Why We Do It
As part of an alliance of diverse organizations and individuals committed to excellence and continuous improvement, we encourage the exchange of skills, ideas, and learning. The aim is to grow as individuals, improve organizational performance, and contribute to the well-being of our work systems, community, and state.
How We Do It
1. Administer the Performance Excellence Program based on the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria; and annually recognize and showcase outstanding achievement in performance excellence.
2. Train individuals to become experts at assessing and evaluating entire organizations or individual processes using the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.
3. Facilitate programs so organizations can share and learn proven best practices to achieve a competitive advantage.
4. Provide organizations with a comprehensive, cost-effective performance evaluation with extensive feedback based on the Malcolm Baldrige criteria.
5. Create and deliver relevant workshops, benchmarking tours and seminars that will develop the skills and knowledge of performance excellence professionals.
6. Provide a dynamic environment for professional networking and knowledge sharing.
Our Mission
to empower organizations to pursue performance excellence, improve outcomes and contribute to the economic strength of their community and state
Our Vision
Be a recognized leader in advancing organizational excellence
Core Values
•Act with Integrity and Transparency
•Add Value to Stakeholders
•Commit to Excellence and Making a Difference
•Execute business in a Respectful and Ethical Manner
•Work Collaboratively with a Passion for Continuous Improvement
Company History
Southwest Alliance for Excellence began in Arizona in 1988 as the Arizona Council for Excellence (ACE), when
it was run entirely by volunteers. The initial goal was to attract senior-level executives from around the state to
join the Council for the purpose of learning about and sharing experiences in implementing Total Quality
Management across Arizona’s public and private sector organizations.
ACE incorporated in 1990, became Arizona Quality Alliance (AQA) in 1992, and achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1993. AQA was also involved with the Governor’s Advisory Council on Quality (GACQ) in 1994 until its dissolution in 2001, as well as being a co-sponsor of the Governor’s Conference on Quality from 1991-97.
AQA—now, Southwest Alliance for Excellence—expanded our services to include organizations in Nevada in 2011 and Utah in 2012.
What hasn’t changed is our dedication to advancing organizational excellence in the states we serve, and our volunteer workforce is still highly committed. We are excited for this opportunity to grow and serve more organizations throughout the southwest.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Regional Program (Arizona, Nevada and Utah) using the Baldrige Criteria to evaluate organizations on performance excellence.
Benefits
Flexibility with hours and part-time virtual working situation.