2018 Governor's Award for Excellence

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Mike Last serves as the intelligence within Asset Management, or AiM, system administrator within Facilities Administration at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. He is responsible for all aspects of managing the system, from the highly technical aspects through end user support. His extensive knowledge of the software, coupled with his remarkable people skills, allows Last to provide excellent customer service. He has been the driving force in developing AiM into an efficient and useful tool that is easy to use by individuals at all levels.

One of the many remarkable things about Last’s style is that he has a very hands-on approach in learning how to best serve his customers. Work Management, one of the largest modules within AiM, requires all repair and maintenance work performed to be recorded appropriately on work orders. Last provides assistance on-site for staff to teach them how to use the system. He also spent time in the plumbing shop to learn about backflow prevention to improve processes required for the 300 facilities on campus.

Last has a desire to see things from the perspective of those he serves. He has performed work alongside the mechanics in Garage Operation in order to understand their typical day. This initiative allowed clarification of some processing concerns for the garage. Visits to other units, including the Electric, Locksmith and HVAC shops, helped him to plan and implement additional efficiencies.

Employees learn from Last, enjoy working with him, and feel like he will listen to issues and act on them. Mike Last’s exceptional service as a UNC-Wilmington employee has sparked friendships, made a fear of technology suddenly become less scary, and established trust across departments, staff and management.

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Department of Public Safety, Correction Enterprises

Robert Leon, Director of Correction Enterprises (CE), recognized his agency could benefit from implementing LEAN Manufacturing techniques to improves processes and eliminate waste within the 30 manufacturing facilities across the state.

It was immediately recognized that the efficiency-focused training and process implementation benefits would be two-fold: The improved process results in higher quality, lower-cost products for CE customers. It also improves skill sets that will aid inmate workers in obtaining and retaining a job with a living wage once released, advancing an individual’s chances for successful reentry back to society.

Leon sought out the most recognized source in North Carolina for manufacturing and process training, North Carolina State University (NCSU). The pilot program with the Chase Laundry was very successful and resulted in project implementations that reduced waste and increased flow. Leon then directed NCSU to conduct more sessions at CE plants that included train-the-trainer programs. Once trained, six instructors were divided into teams of two and began training all remaining manufacturing plants and four administrative sections of CE.

The LEAN trainers, named and pictured above, have been tasked to provide one week of training every month for a 24-month program. This huge commitment removes them for a week from their normal duties, putting them in overnight travel status and constant catch-up mode when they return to their duties. They do not receive any additional compensation for this role. They do it because they are dedicated employees who see the value of this innovative initiative.

Thanks to Robert Leon’s vision, 26 plants and four administrative groups have received training so far, certifying 132 staff and 148 inmates. The project was recognized by Business North Carolina Magazine, and training continues in 2018, making LEAN methodology an integral part of CE’s culture.

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North Carolina State University

David Josephus works as a Facility Planner in the Office of Finance and Administration at North Carolina State University. In this role, he was able to devise an innovative initiative that has saved the school more than half of a million dollars.

North Carolina State University currently has 240 building identification signs throughout campus. These signs were showing years of wear and tear. The initial thought was to simply replace the worn out signs. But Josephus had a better idea. He realized this was a great opportunity to address some problematic issues.

Josephus noticed that the departmental listings were expensive and time consuming to manage, used costly multiple blades, the red paint faded quickly, and they were expensive to refurbish. He also noted that the lack of a street name was a safety issue, and that three different sign types with complicated construction meant a higher amount of labor to maintain.

Josephus saw the potential to change for the better. He redesigned the signs, making them simpler and easier to repair. His new design includes addresses and street names to improve wayfinding for visitors and first responders. The new signs are also more durable and less costly to install and replace. The white background with red vinyl lettering offers improved legibility. These new signs also improve fade resistance which will extend the life of each sign.

The new signs are projected to save the university $475,000 in material costs during replacement and $25,000 in annual maintenance. Furthermore, since Josephus completed the signage manual update in-house, he has already saved the university $35,000 in consultant fees. David Josephus has proven to be an invaluable member of his team, North Carolina State University, and an outstanding employee for the state of North Carolina.

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Department Natural and Cultural Resources

Jackson Marshall is Deputy Director of the North Carolina Museum of History. As he approaches retirement, he will do so knowing that he kept a promise to North Carolina World War I veterans that he made in college – a promise that their stories will not be forgotten.

As a young boy, Jackson sat at the feet of his grandfather, a World War I veteran. Characteristic of many veterans, his grandfather would not talk about his war experiences. Once Jackson reached college age, he felt World War I veteran stories were disappearing. He interviewed North Carolina World War I veterans as their families stood by, many hearing of these horrific stories for the first time. This work became a book, “Memories of World War I: North Carolina Doughboys on the Western Front.”

Jackson spent a lifetime, alongside his sons, traveling the fields of France and collecting battlefield artifacts. The results of this lifetime focus culminated in January 2017 with the opening of a 6,000-plus-square-foot exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History, “North Carolina and World War I.” The exhibit, which includes a battlefield diorama, many of the artifacts, and Jackson’s grandfather’s uniform, has been shared with more than 300,000 visitors to date – breaking
all past visitation records from prior temporary exhibits.

Jackson has traveled throughout North Carolina this year, speaking to students, professors and community groups regarding the North Carolina and World War I experience. The exhibit won its first Award of Excellence from the North Carolina Museums Council. Jackson was awarded the Tar Heel of the Week by the News and Observer. The exhibit’s success required a unique set of skills, expertise and commitment. Jackson Marshall’s work surpassed expectations and enhanced the vision of the North Carolina Museum of History.

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Department of Environmental Quality

Paula Gillikin’s exceptional commitment to serving the public extends throughout and beyond her employment in the Division of Coastal Management within the Department of Environmental Quality. Since she was 19, Gillikin has been volunteering in many capacities, with a strong focus on serving those who cannot speak or advocate for themselves.

More than a decade ago, Gillikin observed that cats comprised most animals entering and being euthanized at the local animal shelter. She wanted to understand why, and how the situation could be improved for both the cats and their caretakers. She recruited like-minded volunteers and started a grassroots spay-neuter organization. This organization focused on humanely reducing the local cat population in eastern Carteret County through free and reduced-cost spay and neuter surgery, as well as community education and outreach. The organization is now in its 12th year of operation.

Since 2014, Gillikin has served as a Guardian ad litem volunteer in District 3B of the North Carolina Court System. She advocates to the court on behalf of abused or neglected children. Gillikin recently became president of the nonprofit organization working to establish the Bonehenge Whale Center in Beaufort. This center will showcase and conserve North Carolina whales, dolphins and porpoises through research, education and outreach, and specimen collection and display.

In addition, Gillikin has also volunteered for and served New Hanover and Carteret County Humane Societies, Paws for People Therapy Dog Program, Brandt Animal Care Fund, Tufts University Veterinary School, and Pet Loss Support Hotline. Aside from personally contributing to her community outside of work, Paula Gillikin also coordinates volunteer activities through her job to inspire others to protect our land and natural resources.

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Department of Health and Human Services

Rick Dickerson is a Rehabilitation Engineer working for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Independent Living in the Department of Health and Human Services. His actions on June 15, 2017, demonstrated admirable judgement and courage as he and others helped to prevent loss of life during a vehicle accident.

Dickerson was going about his typical day of work in Ahoskie when he came upon a crash scene. Moments before, a vehicle occupied by four teenagers attempted to pass another vehicle on the road. The teenagers’ car was not able to return to its lane before impacting an oncoming log truck with disastrous results. The driver of the commercial 18-wheeler veered to the right in an attempt to avoid the collision, flipping the truck onto its side and halting the car.

Dickerson immediately pulled to the shoulder of the road with another driver. Dickerson’s former military training and background in rehabilitation services kicked in as the vehicle began to catch on fire. Together, the two men started removing everyone from the car. With a fire extinguisher found in the back of the driver’s truck, they also attempted to put out the growing fire. The fire continued to burn around the vehicle as Dickerson helped cut seat belts and unpin victims from
the wreckage. Once all the passengers were removed from the vehicle, Dickerson supported the head of one of the individuals until EMS arrived.

A paramedic with Bertie County EMS said the accident was one of the worst wrecks she had ever seen. The truck driver and three of the individuals in the vehicle survived, but the 16-year-old driver died at the scene. Rick Dickerson’s heroic actions that day effectively saved the lives of the wreck’s survivors.

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Department of Public Safety, National Guard

North Carolina Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Cory M. Hinkle actively puts others before himself each day on the job. An Iraq combat veteran from Forest City, Staff Sergeant Hinkle is assigned to 1-113th Field Artillery Battalion.
On September 18, 2017, Staff Sergeant Hinkle was driving home from his job at the National Guard base in Charlotte. He witnessed the car in front of him get hit head-on by a car from oncoming traffic that had swerved into his lane.

Staff Sergeant Hinkle quickly parked his car and rushed over to the scene to help. He could see gasoline was spilling out of the wrecked vehicle and knew he had to get any occupants out immediately. As the car began to catch fire, Staff Sergeant Hinkle opened the driver’s side door to find a bleeding, semi-conscious woman. He was able to pry her out of the burning car and managed to move her to the opposite side of the road.

As the fire spread across the car, hot debris and sparks began flying everywhere. Staff Sergeant Hinkle used his body to shield the woman from the explosions coming from the vehicle’s shocks and tires. He absorbed any flying debris preventing any further injury to the young mother of two. He also helped keep the victim calm despite the conditions.

Staff Sergeant Hinkle’s swift action and bravery sums up this story of heroism and selflessness. He put his military training to the test, suffered minor injuries himself, and yet humbly states he hopes someone else would stop and do the same for his family. Staff Sergeant Hinkle is not only an American hero, but a North Carolina hero as well.

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