New Hanover County

New Hanover County thanks employees for their public service

New Hanover County, NC – New Hanover County employees were celebrated and thanked at the fourth-annual Reach for the Stars Awards Banquet on Tuesday, May 1. The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Chris Coudriet all applauded the work of county employees, who serve and make an impact in our community.

“I appreciate your passion and all you do,” Chairman Woody White said to employees at the event. “There is no greater honor than to be recognized by your colleagues, your supervisors, and the community.”

In the past year, 193 Stellar Awards have been presented to employees around the county for their exceptional work. These stellar award winners, joined by their supervisors, attended Tuesday’s awards banquet.

County Manager Chris Coudriet thanked employees at the event also and said, “The Stellar Awards Program is about recognizing the remarkable work that 1,750 county employees do in our community, and how each of you show the county’s values in action. It is an honor to work with each of you.”

Seven county employees were recognized at the event with the county’s highest staff award, the “Five-Star Award.” Those honored were:

• • Sam Burgess, Senior Planner, Planning & Land Use Department
  • Panza McNeill, Clinic Services Supervisor, Health Department
  • Nick Meier, Vector Control Operator, Health Department
  • Doug Scholz, Vector Control Operator, Health Department
  • Brent Stophel, Firefighter/Apparatus Operator, Fire Rescue
  • Keith Studt, Vector Control Operator, Health Department
  • Carla Turner, Personal Health Services Manager, Health Department

Reach for the Stars is the county’s employee recognition program, and was established in 2014 with a focus on the county’s shared values of professionalism, integrity, innovation, stewardship, and accountability. Citizens and colleagues can nominate county employees for their outstanding service through the Stellar Award or the Community Service Award. The top award – the Five Star Award – is given to employees who receive nominations across at least four of the county’s five shared values.

Learn more about the recognition program and how to submit a nomination on the county’s website.

###

Release Contact:
Jessica Loeper
Communications & Outreach Coordinator
910-798-7461

« Back to news overview