Why, Gary Du wondered, are these tests being run when we don't use the data?

The more he thought about it, the more evident it became that money was being wasted that could be used for something else.

Gary, an eight-year employee with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) used the Employee Suggestion Program (ESP) to point out a better way to test water quality and save money at the same time. For his idea he was awarded over $5,000, enough to take his family on vacation to Taiwan, where he was born.

A second suggestion also resulted in several thousands of dollars in savings and earned Gary a second award of over $5,000, which he used to pay off his home mortgage.

Many business practices “are tradition. They have been carried on over the years,” Gary said. An effective suggestion, he he added, “is about finding a different way and saving money. If you look hard enough, you can definitely find something.”

Using the Commonwealth of Virginia's ESP form “makes everything quite easy,” Gary added. “All you have to do is follow the form.”

In all, Gary's suggestions have saved DEQ over $100,000. And he is not through. “I am always looking for new ideas,” he said.

Read about other ESP Award Winners ...