KOTA: SDDOT earns top ‘Excellence’ Performance Excellence Award for 2025

https://www.kotatv.com/2026/05/13/sddot-earns-performance-excellence-network-pen-highest-honor/

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (South Dakota Department of Transportation) has received top honors from the Performance of Excellence Network, earning a 2025 Performance Excellence Award at its annual conference held May 7–8, 2026.

The organization, which evaluates agencies across South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota, recognized 18 total recipients this year. SDDOT was the only agency to receive the highest designation—an “Excellence” level award.

The recognition comes after a yearlong review of the department’s management and performance systems. The evaluation looks at areas like leadership, strategy, workforce development, operations, and data-driven decision-making.

Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt said the process has helped the agency improve over the past 13 years by providing outside feedback and helping staff stay focused on priorities.

The Performance Excellence Network uses the Baldrige Framework, which ranks organizations across five levels. The “Excellence” level is the highest and was awarded this year for the first time since 2018, according to the organization.

Officials said the assessment also emphasizes employee involvement across all levels of the agency, helping strengthen collaboration and continuous improvement efforts.

Overall, the department says the recognition reflects its ongoing focus on improving safety, reliability, and efficiency in South Dakota’s transportation system.