The Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) is the winner of two prestigious awards from the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE). The awards reflect the successes and ongoing efforts of OSHR to implement the state’s HR priorities established by Governor Pat McCrory when he took office in 2013. These priorities include modernizing and bringing efficiencies to the HR practices across state government.
OSHR Director C. Neal Alexander, Jr. received the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr. Award for HR leadership at the annual NASPE meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi, this week. This award was established in memory of Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., who served as NASPE President at a time of great growth for the organization. It recognizes individuals who exemplify the outstanding character, qualities and influence that Rooney had on state personnel administration.
Director Alexander distinguished himself through his exceptional leadership in the field of human resource management across state government and for implementing innovative state human resource management practices that ensure access and equity while enhancing productivity and service delivery. Through his leadership, he has elevated the role of HR in North Carolina state government by making HR a strategic business partner in advancing the state’s organizational effectiveness.
“Governor McCrory brought me on board to apply my 40 plus years of private sector HR experience to state government; I am honored and humbled to be recognized in this way by my peers in the public sector,” said Director Alexander.
Deputy Director Paula Woodhouse accepted the Eva N. Santos Communications Award for OSHR’s newsletter The Resource, which received recognition for its excellence in state government HR communications.
The Resource began as a quarterly newsletter that covered a variety of HR-related topics of interest to employees; it now also includes periodic updates that address more time-sensitive topics. “Informed employees are better employees,” Ms. Woodhouse stated, “Our goal was to provide state employees with consistent updates on our programs and initiatives to encourage engagement and cooperation… and it’s working!
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