2023 Governor's Award for Excellence Recipients
Congratulations to the 2023 Governor’s Awards for Excellence winners!
The Office of State Human Resources was proud to present the Governor’s Awards for Excellence recipients for 2023. Sponsored by the State Employees Credit Union Foundation, the program recognizes outstanding employees nominated by state agencies and universities. This year, 41 honorees were selected for awards in six categories: Customer Service, Efficiency and Innovation, Human Relations, Outstanding Government Service, Public Service and Safety and Heroism.
Learn more about each exceptional employee by watching short videos that tell their stories and reading their profiles below or nominate an outstanding employee for the 2024 Governor's Awards for Excellence.
Customer Service
As a sales representative for Correction Enterprises, Grossie Smith-Jackson often attends product showcases and conferences to make valuable connections with potential sales clients. It was during one such conference in March 2019 that Smith-Jackson began a client relationship with the Department of Public Safety's North Carolina National Guard. Read on to find out how Smith-Jackson's unparalleled customer service has earned more than $2.2 million in sales from just one client.
Efficiency and Innovation
Auditing is a crucial process that allows North Carolina's state government to serve its constituents more efficiently. As internal auditors for the Office of State Budget and Management, Cameron Brown and Jack Gagnon have greatly improved this process. Continue reading to learn how.
In his work as a community development specialist for the Commission of Indian Affairs within the Department of Administration, Steve Maynor is tasked with managing the commission's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher covering seven counties in eastern North Carolina. Read on to learn how Maynor has gone beyond his role's responsibilities to better the commission's overall operations.
In her role as a research technician for North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, Kelsey Mills is an innovator and an industry leader. Continue reading to learn more about her contributions to reshaping pig production in a state where the industry ranks third nationally.
Five forensic scientists in the DNA and Trace Evidence sections of the State Crime Laboratory within the Department of Justice changed the future of crime scene investigations through their work. Read on to find out how Lindsey Admire, Melanie Carson, Kristen Crawford, Tricia Daniels and Evie Nguyen are making sure more criminals are brought to justice.
Human Relations
Since 2017, Dr. Ralph House has served as the associate chair for research within the Department of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During this time, Dr. House's passion for bettering the human condition through chemistry research and education has impacted chemists and scholars globally. Read on to learn more.
As the director of corporate and custom training at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), Amy Wartham leads a team in providing businesses and organizations with high-quality, custom training programs within the School of Professional Studies. Read on to learn how Wartham applied her skillset to improving UNCC's employee recruitment and retention rates.
Outstanding Government Service
When Jacki Russell was hired as director of the Division of Disability Determination Services (DDS) within the Department of Health and Human Services in 2018, she was challenged to lead a perennially under-resourced, federal-state hybrid organization facing competing challenges. Read on the find out how Russell came out swinging and transformed North Carolina's DDS into one of the highest-performing organizations of its kind in the nation.
Harold Thomas began his career with the Department of Transportation's Ferry Division as a ferry deckhand on the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach route and worked up to oiler and chief engineer. As its current director, Thomas has helped to steer the division into new service areas while serving as a mentor for its staff. Learn more about Thomas' contributions to improving transportation for North Carolinians for years to come.
Public Service
Nigel Bristow began his career with the State of North Carolina as a probation officer in Rockingham County before transferring to Anson County, where his hard work and dedication led to his promotion to chief probation officer. Read on to learn how Bristow's leadership and selfless service extend far beyond the office walls to enrich the lives of those in Richmond County.
Bill Carlson is a program manager at North Carolina State University's Materials Support Warehouse. In his role, Carlson oversees shipping and receiving, warehouse operations and surplus property disposition. Yet, it is his service outside of work hours that is truly remarkable. Read on to find out why.
In his role as the director of community and civic engagement at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Sandy Jacobs is responsible for developing and implementing opportunities for community engagement, civic development, co-curricular service and academic service across campus. Continue reading to find out how Jacobs' commitment to others extends far beyond his office into the walls of his home.
Safety and Heroism
While patrolling Lake James on July 23, 2022, Wildlife Resources Commission Officers Rich Becker and William Boone jumped into action to provide lifesaving care during a crisis. Continue reading to learn about their quick response in the face of an emergency.
On February 28, 2023, the kitchen at the Caswell Developmental Center's Kendall 103 facility caught fire. Read on to find out how Autumn Burton, Tabitha Chapman, Labrenda Edmonson, Sabrina Edwards, Matthew Roberts, Tisha Sherrod, Contrina Smith, John Streeter and Rasheeda Whitehurst saved the lives of nine residents who were unable to care for or defend themselves.
Returning home after a long shift around 11 p.m. on September 16, 2022, Sergeant Dustin Durham with the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) learned from his wife that a 75-year-old man with dementia had gone missing in their community that afternoon. After checking with local responders, Sergeant Durham recruited a colleague, WRC Officer Chase Vaughan, to use his drone in the search. Read on to learn how their tireless search ended.
In their roles with the Department of Public Safety's State Highway Patrol, Troopers Matt Eure and Andy Lamp are responsible for protecting the public by ensuring safe, efficient transportation on the streets and highways of North Carolina. Continue reading to learn how their quick-acting emergency response prevented a tragedy on January 4, 2023.
The actions of Major Kenneth Leahy, a state dental officer with the North Carolina National Guard, exemplify the organization's mission to "protect lives and the property of our citizens of North Carolina." Read on to find out how he selflessly set aside plans for a relaxing day at the beach with his family, and risked his life, to save a child.
As a member of the State Highway Patrol, Trooper Dalton Ledford's primary responsibility is to protect the public to ensure safe, efficient transportation on the streets and highways of North Carolina. Continue reading to find out how a routine day on the job led to a high-speed chase and a selfless act of heroism.
Staff within the Department of Adult Correction are trained to respond quickly and calmly in an emergency. On January 17, 2023, four state employees at the Piedmont Correctional Institution in Salisbury — Billy Joe Gilley, Susan Glover, Jennifer Jones and Brian Lackey — used that training in an unexpected way. Read on to learn more.
As a nurse supervisor at Tabor Correctional Institution in Tabor City, Cherletta Scott manages the facility's medical department, overseeing the medical care of around 1,380 offenders. In her work, Scott has honed her skills as a fast-thinking, quick-acting responder and problem-solver. On October 25, 2022, Scott put her skill set to good use to save the life of a child in her neighborhood. Read on to find out how.
Seth Stevenson is a trooper with the State Highway Patrol serving Iredell and Alexander counties. On Friday, January 13, 2023, Statesville police officers were dispatched to a head-on collision. Though off duty at the time, Trooper Stevenson responded immediately to the call. Read on to learn how Trooper Stevenson used his professional skills and training despite being off the clock.
While overseeing four of the state's top 20 most-visited attractions as the director of the North Carolina Aquariums is quite the undertaking, it was in Maylon White's voluntary role as a member of the Southern Shores Fire Department that he demonstrated tremendous heroism. Read on to find out how White bravely put himself in harm's way to bring comfort to a grieving family.