The Department of Administration brought back an old tradition for this year’s holiday reception. For the first time in more than a decade, we invited colleagues to submit nominations for the DOA Employee of the Year. Joined by Zach Ambrose, Chief of Staff to Governor Perdue, I today presented the award to Stephanie Nantz, Assistant Director of the Youth Advocacy & Involvement Office.
Nantz, who joined DOA in 2005, was praised as an “unselfish supervisor who always puts others’ needs before her own.” This was especially seen this past year, when she stepped up to cover for a colleague who needed extended time off for a family emergency.
Nantz serves on several boards committed to youth advocacy and professional development. She is the lead staff person to the N.C. Child and Family Leadership Council and a facilitator with the Youth Accountability Task Force. She also volunteers her time with the Training Committee of the Grants Information Network, which has provided grant-writing programs to hundreds of North Carolina citizens through Wake Technical Community College.
A consummate professional who recently earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from N.C. Central University, she also is a classic practical joker, amusing colleagues with her quick wit and self-deprecating humor.
Other nominees were: Beth Allison, Human Resources Management; Felix DeSantis, Director of the Mail Service Center; Jill Hammergren, Agency for Public Telecommunications; Rod Helder, Director of Division of Non-Public Education ; Robert Matney, Division of Purchase & Contract; Glenda McLeod, Mail Service Center; Catherine Reeve, Director of the State Parking Division ; Greg Richardson, Executive Director of the Commission of Indian Affairs; and Charlie Smith, Assistant Secretary for Veterans Affairs.