New Hanover County Employees Recognized for Stellar Service
Posted May 2, 2019 at 1:24 pm Category: Human Resources • News Release
New Hanover County, NC – New Hanover County employees were celebrated and thanked at the fifth-annual Reach for the Stars Awards Banquet on Wednesday, 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 each day.
“This recognition program is an opportunity to thank our county employees for the work they do,” said Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr. “We are grateful for their commitment to county government, for their leadership, and for their sacrifice.”
In the past year, 232 Stellar Awards have been presented to employees around the county for their exceptional work. These stellar award winners, joined by their supervisors, attended Wednesday’s awards banquet.
County Manager Chris Coudriet thanked employees at the event also and said, “Our employees do the right thing, the right way, all the time; and I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside each one of them. Hurricane Florence really showed their commitment to our community. They lived and embraced every value of the county through their service, and they continue to do that every day.”
Fourteen county employees were recognized at the event with the county’s highest award, the “Five-Star Award.” Those honored were:
- Teresa Bishop, Supervising Librarian, Public Library
- Jason Browning, Fire Captain, Fire Rescue
- Josh Chambless, Firefighter/Apparatus Operator, Fire Rescue
- ShaKyia Freeman, Human Resources Specialist, Human Resources Department
- Lisa Gans, Public Health Nurse, Public Health Department
- Marie Hemmen, Environmental Health Supervisor, Public Health Department
- Cindy Hewett, Deputy Chief Information Officer, IT Department
- Marilyn Howe, Public Health Nurse, Public Health Department
- Robin Johnson, Child Protective Services Social Worker, Department of Social Services
- Linell Josey, Trades Technician, Property Management Department
- Tara Robles, Payroll Coordinator, Finance Department
- Holly Royals, Child Protective Services Manager, Department of Social Services
- Christy Thompson, Children Protective Services Supervisor, Department of Social Services
- Marie Walker, Human Services Caseworker, Department of Social Services
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.
Since the program’s start, there have been 920 Stellar Awards given. In addition, the county’s top award – the Five Star Award – is given to employees who receive nominations across at least four of the county’s five shared values. Twenty seven employees have received the prestigious Five Star Award since the program began.
Learn more about the recognition program and how to submit a nomination on the county’s website.
###
Release Contact:
Jessica Loeper
910-798-7461