Nine State Employees Honored Today with Governor’s Awards for Excellence | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH: Nine state employees were honored with Governor's Awards for Excellence today during a ceremony in the N.C. Museum of History. It is the highest honor a state employee may receive for dedicated service to the state and the people of North Carolina and recognizes accomplishments and actions that are outside of the usual scope of their job duties.

    Recipients received their awards from Noelle Talley, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Roy Cooper, and leaders from their agency. The honorees' extraordinary accomplishments and actions set them apart from a record-setting 458 nominations from across state government.

    A full description of each recipient's winning qualities and videos that share their story are posted to the Office of State Human Resources website.

    "Dedicated service going above and beyond the call of duty is the theme of this year's award winners," said Governor Roy Cooper. "Some saved taxpayer dollars and some have saved lives. We honor them all today for their commitment to improving North Carolina communities."

    The honorees attended a luncheon in the Executive Mansion before receiving their awards at a special ceremony in the auditorium of the N.C. Museum of History. WRAL news anchor Debra Morgan emceed the event. The Office of State Human Resources presented the ceremony with the support of the North Carolina State Employees' Credit Union Foundation.

    "The honorees being recognized today stand out for their exceptionalism, for bringing improved efficiencies, sharing resources through technology, and reminding us that kindness and care can enrich the lives of people experiencing significant challenges," said Barbara Gibson, Director of the Office of State Human Resources. "They teach us important lessons in leadership, empathy and courage."

    The 2019 Governor's Awards for Excellence honorees are:

    Customer Service

    Mindy Jane Coleman, Department of Health and Human Services, Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center

    Efficiency and Innovation

    Tim Bucknall, UNC Greensboro

    Steven C. King, Department of Health and Human Services, Broughton Hospital

    Human Relations

    Martha Swindell Brown, Department of Health and Human Services, Cherry Hospital

    Outstanding State Government Service

    Susan M. Kansagra, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health: Chronic Disease and Injury

    Public Service

    Edward F. Mussler, III, Department of Environmental Quality, Solid Waste Section

    Ann Berry Somers, UNC Greensboro

    Jack Calvin Waters, Jr., University of North Carolina School of the Arts

    Public Service

    Jack Calvin Waters, Jr., University of North Carolina School of the Arts

    Safety and Heroism

    Trooper Daniel C. Harrell, Department of Public Safety, State Highway Patrol

• Contact: Ford Porter
•     govpress@nc.gov