Interstate Wins 2001 Blue Diamond Award

Event host, Chairman of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, David M. Guernsey (President and CEO, Guernsey Office Products) said of the 2001 Blue Diamond award winners, "Selected by their peers from throughout the Washington metropolitan region, these Blue Diamond winners are the benchmark for business and civic leadership." The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) sponsors the awards in cooperation with the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (FCCC). These two organizations respectively represent Fairfax County, Virginia as a world-class center of commerce and trade and the technology hub of the East coast, as well as represent the largest contingent of businesses in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

A committee of business leaders conducted an extensive review of applications that were submitted by nominees from throughout the metropolitan area. Nominees were judged on a variety of criteria ranging from quality service standards to corporate citizenship and community service.

Interstate customer, America Online (AOL) honored the organization by nominating them for the Blue Diamond Quality First Award. "As the world's leader in interactive services, we are very proud that our customer, AOL, saw fit to think of us in respect to this distinguished recognition," shared Bud Morrissette, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for Interstate. "The entire Interstate team strives daily to exceed the expectations of all of our customers, including those at AOL."

Interstate's receipt of the Quality First Award is further testament to the organization's unparalleled reputation. In addition to the Blue Diamond Award, Interstate has received numerous industry and community honors. The company recently received top honors in all award categories from the American Moving and Storage Association, the preeminent trade organization for the relocation industry. "Each of these awards bring tremendous pride to everyone at Interstate; they represent team efforts. It's always nice to know that our efforts are recognized," shares Morrissette, "Of far greater importance to each member of Interstate's team, however, is the tremendous record of customer satisfaction and quality service that the awards represent. These are the factors that will continue to distinguish Interstate from our competitors and that are key to the success of our Top Hat Service."

Established in 1943, the Interstate family of companies today comprises a worldwide group of relocation management, transportation and logistic entities that will facilitate more than 20,000 relocations over the next year. For more than half a century, the Interstate team has been learning and building on its reputation for providing "Top Hat Service." The experience and attention to details led to Interstate being designated as ISO 9002 certified for all entities and facilities in August 2000, an accomplishment achieved by less than one percent of companies within its industry.

David Guernesey, Chairman, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and President, Guernsey Office Products presents the 2001 Blue Diamond Quality First Award to Bud Morrissette, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Interstate Worldwide Relocation, while Gerald Gordon, President, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Bill Kupper, President and Publisher, Business Week Magazine look on.