The Rising Star Award is granted to those individuals who are newly affiliated with Vermont Council for Quality and who have been hugely supportive of the program.  Nicole completed VCQ's 3-tiered Baldrige training--approximately 50 hours--to be certified as a Vermont Council of Quality Performance Examiner.  She then volunteered to be a member of the team that conducted the three-day site visit that resulted in Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont earning this year's Governor's Award.  The site visit takes countless hours, not only on site, but also driving to and from and working after hours to complete the necessary work. Nicole was one of six people on the Site Visit Team. Nicole was also instrumental in the School of Business Administration becoming a Bronze Sponsor of Vermont Council for Quality.