On Monday, October 6, 2025, 34 state employees became certified public managers. The North Carolina Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Program is a nationally accredited, 300-hour curriculum developed to enhance the leadership skills of public servants.
Photo: State Human Resources Director Staci Meyer gives remarks to the audience and graduates. Photo Credit: NCDOT.
“I am proud that North Carolina offers accredited leadership certification that is customized to our state’s needs, provided at low cost, and designed to be accessible by employees seeking to improve their skills and advance in management roles,” said State Human Resources Director Staci Meyer. “It is wonderful to see another graduating class earn this unique distinction, and I’m excited to see the positive impact they will make on this state.”
Photo: Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor, Christie McNeill speaks to the audience and graduates. Photo Credit: NCDOT.
Christie McNeill, Governor Josh Stein’s deputy chief of staff and chief operating officer, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
“As you leave here today, my hope is that you carry with you both inspiration and ownership,” said Deputy Chief of Staff and COO Christie McNeill. “This program has given you the chance to reflect, to sharpen your skills, and to strengthen your commitment to leadership. Thank you again for your service, your leadership, and your commitment to North Carolina. Congratulations, and I can’t wait to see the difference you will make!”
Becoming a certified public manager is no easy feat, taking approximately 14 months to complete and includes a hybrid of in-person and virtual instructor-led training, asynchronous assignments, and a final capstone project
Photo (L to R): Director Meyer, Jeremy Warren, Eric Sedlacek, Gregory Myrick, Jason Morris, Arthur Hyman, Katrina Feltes, Carrie Shortt, Christopher Connolly, Susana Matta, Reba Clemmons, and Lance Byrd. Photo Credit: NCDOT.
All honorees are based in Wake County unless otherwise noted:
- Department of Commerce: Carrie Shortt and Sheryl D. Stevens (Rockingham County)
- Department of Health and Human Services: Jason L. Dempsey
- Department of Information Technology: Katherine Cotney, Jon Richard Nedell, and Cherolyn N. Thomas
- Department of Justice: Kristopher M. Joyce, Sherri Horner Lawrence, and Kristin J. Uicker
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources: Nathan Etheridge and Kimberly P. Kenyon (Pitt County) - Department of Public Safety: Gayle E. Alston (Davidson County), Adrienne Becton-Marsh (Henderson County), Namika LaTrice Harley (Moore County), Shaketria Lindsey (Buncombe County), Brad C. Morris, and Charlie Edward Richards, III (Caldwell County)
- Department of Revenue: Karen E. Bargsley (Mecklenburg County), Holly C. Browning, Tanya Jackson Dearmon, and Heidi Nolta
- Department of State Treasurer: Anitha Narayanan
- Department of Transportation: Lance Kent Byrd (Ashe County), Reba D. Clemmons, Christopher Connolly, Marissa Cox, Katrina M. Feltes, Arthur Paul Hyman, Suzana Matta (Guilford County), Jason S. Morris (Northampton County), Gregory D. Myrick (Randolph County), Eric Steven Sedlacek (Martin County), and Jeremy Lee Holleman Warren (Durham County)
- University of North Carolina – Greensboro: Ross Rick (Guilford County)
To learn more about North Carolina’s Certified Public Manager Program, please visit: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/learning-and-development/nc-certified-public-manager-program