Valley citizens awarded for clean air effort at Metro awards

PHOENIX - For 22 years, Valley Metro, the regional public transportation and rideshare agency, has awarded organizations and individuals in the Valley for their commitment to improving air quality in metropolitan Phoenix.

Imagine logging a combination of more than 50,000 miles on the bus and 10,000 miles walking instead of driving to work each day for more than 10 years. That's what Scottsdale Healthcare employee, Roman Kludka, does to help keep our air cleaner.

As a year-round bicycle commuter, Oddvar Tveit has racked up more than 27,000 miles since June 2003 getting to his job at the city of Tempe. His motivation is making a contribution to the city's bicycle programs and his own contribution to air quality.

These are just two of many stories recognized Tuesday at the 2009 Clean Air Campaign Awards at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.

The annual awards acknowledge exceptional commuters, effective workplace trip-reduction programs, outstanding transportation coordinators (TCs), creative trip-reduction marketing, and other exceptional advocates of reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality.

"These are exceptional people and outstanding programs that set an example for all of us because they have taken the responsibility to cultivate a better environment," said David A. Boggs, Valley Metro executive director.

All of the winners of the 2009 Clean Air Campaign Awards are:


TC - 50-149
Mika Elliott - WorldatWork


TC - 150-499
Marge Semple - Carlson Wagonlit Travel


TC - 500+ Public Employer
Rhianna Adams - City of Glendale


TC - 500+ Private Employer
Donald D. Diggins - Swift Transportation


Trip Reduction Program - 50-149
WorldatWork


Trip Reduction Program - 150-499
Friendship Village of Tempe


Trip Reduction Program - 500+ Public Employer
State of Arizona Travel Reduction Programs


Trip Reduction Program - 500+ Private Employer
Scottsdale Healthcare


Leadership
City of Avondale


Marketing & Creativity - Electronic and/or Print Media
Boeing Company


Marketing & Creativity - Event or Campaign Under $500
Capitol Rideshare


Marketing & Creativity - Event or Campaign Over $500
SRP


Marketing & Creativity - Bulletin Board (two winners)
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
TruWest Credit Union


Outstanding Telework Program
Boeing Company


Best Telework Advancement
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona


Bike Program - Public Employer
City of Tempe


Vanpool Program
Maricopa County


Outstanding Commuter - Transit User (bus or rail)
Roman Kludka - Scottsdale Healthcare


Outstanding Commuter - Carpooler
Kim Michels - Maricopa County


Outstanding Commuter - Vanpooler
Martiniano Pacheco - Desert Mountain Properties


Outstanding Commuter - Bicyclist/Walker
Oddvar Tveit - City of Tempe


Outstanding Multi-Modal Commuter
Robert Anderson - General Dynamics AIS


MAG Livable Communities (two winners)
Sheraton Downtown Phoenix
Southwest Gas


People's Choice Award - Best Photo
Carlson Wagonlit Travel


Broadcast Media Award
KJZZ 91.5 FM


Media Award - Print
Mike Branom - (formerly East Valley Tribune) City of Tempe