The Governor of Virginia has recognized Noblis for clearly and effectively demonstrating the strategic use of telework to benefit its employees, the environment, the community and society, and other stakeholders.
On behalf of Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Secretary of Technology Leonard Pomata presented the 2009 Governor's Technology Awards at the Commonwealth of Virginia Information Technology Symposium (COVITS). The Governor's Technology Awards program honors outstanding achievements and recognizes innovative technology initiatives in the public sector throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Emphasizing his commitment to telework technologies and best practices, Governor Kaine elected to recognize the Noblis Telecommuting Program with the only 2009 Governor's Technology Award given to a private sector organization.
Noblis began experimenting with the idea of telecommuting a decade ago and has had a formal telecommuting program in place since 2000. In November 2006, Noblis and 32 other companies involved with the Northern Virginia Technology Council signed a pledge to support Governor Kaine’s efforts to “expand or implement telework within our organizations.”
Noblis continues to be very active in this initiative. In addition to this award, Noblis recently received the 2009 Commuter Connections Telework Award (given for outstanding commuting and telework programs) and the 2009 Visionary Award by the Greater Washington Green Business Awards.
Since its inception, Noblis’ telecommuting program has met and continues to meet the stated goals of Governor Kaine’s program and has steadily reduced the carbon dioxide (CO2) output in our community. The Noblis program began with 15 participants and now has 122 participants. From 2000 to 2009, Noblis employees telecommuted an average of 1.2 days each week and using average fleet miles per gallon, each telecommuter has driven 3,400 fewer miles per year and saved $460 in fuel costs. Noblis’ 22 percent participation now exceeds the goal of 20 percent that established for agencies within the Commonwealth of Virginia.