NINETEEN CARY “leaders” GRADUATE TOMORROW

CARY, NC – “Lead” is more than a typical four-letter word for 19 Town of Cary “graduates” that have gone the extra mile to create innovative and effective ways to improve Town government via Cary’s two-year, nationally recognized Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) program.  The employees will be recognized at a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Page-Walker Arts & History Center Gallery, which is adjacent to Cary Town Hall at 119 Ambassador Loop.

Each of the graduates completed projects to improve the Town’s operations, including but not limited to:  developing a severe weather operations plan for the fire department to be more efficient during emergencies; creating a more structured way for law enforcement agencies to share information pertaining to counterfeit payroll checks; installation of mobile video cameras in marked police vehicles to improve officers’ safety and enhance investigations, and overseeing the independent study of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival to continue providing quality events that promote quality of life in Cary.

As part of their projects, graduates had to apply the theories and principles learned during the training in a department improvement project that improves a process or implements a new solution to an area that helps keep the candidate’s department functioning at a high-quality level. Participants were required to complete more than 100 hours of classroom training and 24 hours of community service.

“We’re very proud of each of these outstanding individuals for stepping up to the plate to improve the way we do business at the Town of Cary ,” said Town Manager Bill Coleman.  “The LEAD program helps ensure that citizens receive service from motivated employees who possess high levels of customer service and problem solving skills as well as management and communication techniques.”  

LEAD was introduced in 1998 to provide a training ground for employees that plan to make a lifetime career at the Town and best exemplify the Cary way of doing business.  A model program, LEAD won the “Best Training and Development Program” from the International Public Management Society in 2003 for its innovative content and employee-focused curriculum.

“Because Cary is part of the highly competitive, Triangle job market, the LEAD program helps ensure that we attract, develop, and retain the most qualified employees,” said Town of Cary Training & Development Program Administrator Stephanie Davidson.

Enrollment for the LEAD program is biennial, and the next LEAD class will be recruited in August 2006 and graduate in 2008.  Applicants are chosen based on their reasoning for applying; what they will offer the group; director’s input; review of human resource file and other programs taken toward improving work performance, and whether the employee is in a leadership or management position.

The following graduates will receive their certificates of completion at the ceremony:  

• Robin Bailey, Operations Manager, Technology Services

• Tracey Barker, Sergeant, Police

• Scot Berry , Water Conservation/Operations Analyst, Public Works & Utilities

• Joy Cox, Festival Coordinator, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

• Jack Frazier, Fire Battalion Chief

• Tony Godwin, Major, Police

• Ken Guttman, Internet Applications Specialist, Technology Services

• Mark Hinton, Fire Battalion Chief

• David L. Johnson, Engineering Field Technician Supervisor

• Barry Jones, Fire Battalion Chief

• Tony Jordan, Fire Battalion Chief

• Stephan Lampert, Senior Officer, Police

• Jennifer Morgan, Crime Analyst, Police

• Mike Mull, Applications Manager, Technology Services

• Judy Newsome, Recreation Projects Coordinator, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

• Barry Nickalson, Major, Police

• Chuck Ruffin, Plans Examiner, Inspections & Permits

• Sam Tingler, Utility Systems Maintenance Division Manager, Public Works & Utilities

• Joyce Toms, Payroll Specialist, Finance

For more, contact Stephanie Davidson at (919) 462-3856.

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