Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Celebrating 360 years of combined public service State of N.C. holds annual ceremony honoring employees who have reached 45 years of state employment

Raleigh, N.C.
Aug 26, 2025

Today, eight state employees are being honored with the 2025 Richard Caswell Award during a ceremony at the State Archives of North Carolina. Named after North Carolina’s first governor, this award recognizes employees who have served the state for 45 years.

“State employees work hard each day to offer indispensable services to our state,” said State Human Resources Director Staci Meyer. “Today we recognize a group of people who have dedicated their careers to North Carolina and define what it means to be a public servant.”  

This year’s awardees represent six state agencies and have collectively devoted more than 360 years to public service.  

“As a state employee of 25 years, I have seen how the institutional knowledge of seasoned employees can make sure our state government works for the people it serves,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I thank this year’s Caswell Award recipients for their extended dedication to making North Carolina a safer and stronger state to call home.”  

ABC11 anchor Lauren Johnson will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event. The list of awardees includes:

  • Mike Cabaniss, Equipment Superintendent, Division 12, Department of Transportation (Cleveland County)
  • Mark W. Cooke, Director of Network and Telephony Engineering, Department of Information Technology
  • Sharon Davis, Service Coordinator, Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Department of Health and Human Services (Craven County)
  • W.R. “Lee” Futrelle III, Psychological Program Manager, Department of Adult Correction (Greene County)
  • Gerry W. McKoy, Court Counselor Supervisor, Juvenile Justice Division, Department of Public Safety (New Hanover County)
  • Jeanette Carol Price, Administrative Specialist, Disability Determination Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services
  • Gregory A. Richardson, Executive Director of the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs, Department of Administration
  • Lorelle J. Walker, Workers Compensation Administrator, Cherry Hospital, Department of Health and Human Services (Wayne County)

Honorees who are unable to attend the ceremony will receive their Caswell Awards from their agencies’ leadership in local ceremonies.

To learn more about becoming a North Carolina state employee, visit Work for NC.  

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