The Resource by NC Office of State Human Resources

The Resource First Quarter 2018

Meet the Secretary: Michael Regan, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality

Also Inside this Edition: Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sharing The BEST kept secret in NC government. (And you can tell your friends!)

Meet the 2017 Recepients of the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Awards for Excelllence

An update on A Celebration Classification & of Dr. Martin Compensation Luther King, Jr.

Find out if you are eligible to eFile your taxes for FREE!

It’s 2018! We started the year off and running helping North Carolina residents as we faced winter weather events. These challenges gave our State Employees a chance to shine! Read part one of our two-part series highlighting the amazing care and teamwork exhibited by your State Employee co-workers. As we look to 2018, we have the opportunity to learn from our challenges and apply those lessons to make it an exceptional one for all of us.

Barbara Gibson, Director Office of State Human Resources

The firstedition of The Resource for 2018 includes what just might be the best kept secret in North Carolina government. (I won’t give anything away here!)

We are also going to meet Secretary Michael Regan of the Department of Environment Quality. A great example of a North Carolina native growing up to serve his State in a high capacity, Regan shared the necessity of perserverance and the lasting impression his parents made on him. We have included updates on the progress of the Classification and Compensation Program and important insights that make the work of NCFlex – North Carolina Employee’s Benefits Program – consistently better. The New Year means it’s tax time. You may be eligible to eFile your taxes for free through the North Carolina Department of Revenue website. This is one of the many services offered to State employees. Find out more inside. Winter is not over yet! Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Adverse Weather Policy and what is expected of you within your agency. The policy is just one aspect of the learning process. The guidance of your managers and supervisors is very important. Understanding the unique requirements of your position in your agency will help make adverse weather events less stressful and run more smoothly. As the year begins, we have a full slate of plans, improvements, possibilities and growth. Join us in making 2018 an amazing year.

Barbara Gibson Director, Office of State Human Resources

Statewide Compensation System Project Update The Statewide Compensation Program is steaming along. OSHR and Agency HR Departments continue to meet, review and fine-tune the new system in preparation for a 2018 implementation date. Subject Matter Experts or SME Groups have been meeting continuously over the past couple of months and have been reviewing allocations across state agencies. Now, we are taking that information and meeting with each Agency’s HR Department to review the outcomes. Some new Classification Specs have been developed, some previously proposed Class Specs are being revised and those identified as no longer necessary will be abolished. In addition, OSHR & Agency HR Departments are developing in-depth training sessions for HR Professionals and Agency management along with Communication plans that will be used in the implementation and transition to our new Statewide Compensation system. Additionally, the development of a new and revised Salary Administration policy is in progress.The policy will align with the Statewide Compensation System’s goal of recruiting, hiring and retaining a high-quality and diverse workforce. It will provide for consistency and structure in the way pay is determined. The implementation is expected to be cost-neutral and most employees’ salaries will not change as a result of this project. So, as you can see, your HR Departments are working hard to bring a new, modern system that is based on best industry practices, market-place comparisons and organizationally sound principals. Stay tuned for more information in the near future.

The Best Kept Secret in North Carolina Governmnet

The Best Kept Secret in North Carolina State Government is About Come to Light ... and we brought our camera along to document the event! It is a little like Robin Hood or Superman without the fancy tights. You, as a citizen of North Carolina, have your own super heros who are waiting for you to call so they can help you with questions about resolving disputes with your health insurance company. FOR FREE! Susan Nestor is the leader of this amazing program called SmartNC. The statewide assistance program started in North Carolina in 2010 with federal funding and appropriated state funds. Once again, it is free! So, what is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;catchâ&#x20AC;??

Susan Nestor, Director, Health Insurance Smart NC Photo Courtesy: Caitlin Rollins

THERE IS NO “CATCH”! North Carolina State law requires insurers who might deny a service on the grounds of necessity or when it is considered experimental, investigative or cosmetic to let the patient know about the availability of Smart NC to help them. Unfortunately, this information may be the fine print on page five or six of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB). That is why it is important to be proactive. To date, the program has been an overwhelming success. Customers have realized over $19 million in recovered benefits from the program. The staff anticipating your call at Smart NC have a clinical focus. They work to help consumers understand the medical issues involved with health insurance questions and complaints. The SmartNC team is there to simply answer your questions and to counsel consumers. Since the program began in 2010, the services offered by the program have expanded. Not only is the SmartNC staff there to help answer your questions, but they also assist with medical appeals. Consumers are assisted - AT NO COST - with filing medical appeals, filing complaints with insurance companies and requesting an external review when necessary which is a third level appeal involving an independent medical review of a health providers denial of coverage. “We have had cases where we have helped consumers have a bill overturned so that the cost of the service goes down from $2,000 to $12. Our largest sucess has saved the consumer $600,000.” - Susan Nestor 5

Nestor encourages consumers to contact Smart NC in the event of pre-service denials as well as post-service billing questions. She cautions consumers, “We don’t win every case, but we are the best bet that the consumer has.” SmartNC services are provided with trust and integrity as well as exceptional customer service. This is important because when SmartNC takes on a case, they are going to be involved with the client’s medical records. Vigilance is paramount when protecting a client’s medical information and HIPAA requirements. When a client begins a relationship with a Smart NC representative, that same person will be with them through the entire process.

Although they are one of the best kept secrets around, Smart NC has assisted more than 14,000 customers who had health insurance issues, and taken more than 81,000 consumer calls. It’s time to spread the word! Outcomes like these can renew a person’s faith. Nestor shared a quote from a happy client:

“I had little faith in the state, but after my experience with Smart NC, my faith has been restored and I am very happy to have my taxes pay for this service.”

Interested in learning more about this service? You will find details and forms at the Department of Insurance website. Smart NC can be reached at 855.408.1212 (toll free). Their offices are located at The Albermarle Building, 325 North Salisbury Street in Raleigh.

And remember to tell your friends! 6

When We

Mother nature started the year with adverse weather events that have impacted nearly every county in our state. State employees rose to the occasion. Our commitment to serve the people of North Carolina and provide vital services does not stop when adverse weather hits. Hats off to the many employees who plowed or sanded snow-covered roads, assisted motorists, cared for patients, cleared parking lots to keep fellow employees safe, cooked meals and countless other deeds.

“State employees truly show what they’re made of when we face these weather events and other emergencies,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our citizens count on them, and state employees come through. I am always proud to be a fellow state employee, but never more so than when our employees shine in the most adverse conditions.” Thank you to all state employees for weathering the storms.

The Situation Room 7

e Shine!

Governor Cooper thanking members of the NC State Highway Patrol

Curritiuck ferry crews clearing the deck

DOT trucks headed for the coast

Clearing roads in Brunswick County Governor Cooper with workers in Johnston County

Secretary Regan’s Vision: “Connect us to the general public, especially the younger generation who are interested in the environment and climate change, but are turned off by politics. I want to make the agency more assessible to the people of North Carolina. We are here to serve the public and do it in a way that helps accentuate people’s lives.” 9

Meet the Secretary: Michael Regan Department of Environmental Quality

What does the classic book Sounder have in common with Stephen King’s novel Desperation? According to Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan, the two books are among his favorite reads because both are about perseverance. And perseverance runs through most everything that means anything to Regan. The Resource sat down with Secretary Regan who shared the major events that shaped his life and continue to strengthen his professional resolve. Those influences include the impression his parents made by building a good life from small means in eastern North Carolina, surviving the loss of his first son, and taking on the challenge of a state agency facing some of the most embattled and crucial issues for North Carolina’s future.

Meet Secretary Michael Regan… 10

Photo Courtesy: DEQ Staff

OSHR: Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Secretary Regan: I grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Wayne County, but my parents also own what was once a small-family farm in Bladen County. So, I split my time between Goldsboro and Bladen County. I had a lot of fun growing up. I spent a lot of time on the farm, hunting and fishing with my father and my grandfather, and really getting acclimated with the land Regan visits a classroom of eager students, one of his favorite activities and nature. That’s why I’ve been so attracted to the environmental field. I have a love for the environment, but also that’s where I solidified some very strong bonds with my father and my grandfather.

OSHR: What do you love most about your hometown of Goldsboro and Wayne County in general? Secretary Regan: Eastern North Carolina is just such a special part of the state. I love the whole state, but Goldsboro is this midsize town with hardworking, decent folks. I grew up in a city where there were ample opportunities to serve. I started working for the city around the age of 15 as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Goldsboro offered great values and some early development opportunities. I remember that fondly as being my first paid introduction to public service and helping others. OSHR: Your parents, did they work in public service as well? Secretary Regan: They did. My father began his career with the Wayne County extension office, but retired from the NC National Guard as an active duty colonel. He served his country through the National Guard, but also, he was drafted to Vietnam. My mother, after 40 years, retired from Wayne Memorial Hospital. She was a nurse. Public service was really big in our family. My sister is a public school teacher and my brother does drug counseling for people who are imprisoned or recently imprisoned. We’ve all chosen different paths of public service. That stems from our upbringing.

OSHR: Who or what has been most influential in your life? Secretary Regan: My parents. I was lucky enough to have a front row seat and watch two individuals, who came from very limited means, set goals and work to achieve those goals as partners. They worked hard, but they loved us even harder. I was blessed to have mentors in the home. It was them as a team. Just looking at where they came from and where they ended up in life, the values that they espoused, the path that they took; it was inspirational. It was demonstrative that the good guys don’t always finish last.

“Who doesn’t want to drink clean water? Who doesn’t want to breathe clean air? There’s a little bit of an environmentalist in all of us.”

What I took from that—being able to sit around the dinner table, night after night, and listen to them talk about life and different paths that we all can take—it has benefited me greatly as I’ve made choices up until this point. As for “what” has been most influential, the “what” was my parents walking the walk and showing that the positive ideas they talked about could be realized. That has been and continues to be a great compass for me. OSHR: Tell us about your education and the career path that led to your role as Cabinet Secretary. Secretary Regan: I attended NC A&T State University in Greensboro, undergraduate (Environmental Science) and did my graduate studies at George Washington University (Public Administration with a concentration in federal policy, politics and management). I started in Engineering. I jumped into psychology, but I was really drawn to the science classes, especially Environmental Science. It pulled me, especially with the background I had growing up. It was a natural fit. My first full-time employment was working at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. At EPA, I came in, and I was working for an assistant administrator and that gave me exposure to the entire agency. I moved rather quickly through EPA in ten years there. At the “The good guys don’t always finish last.” my Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) it was similar in that the level of exposure was equally as good. I began as State Climate Director for North Carolina and eventually became Associate Vice President of their national clean energy program before leaving. Because of my upbringing and the way I was raised, I tried to take advantage of those opportunities as they came along.

OSHR: And after EDF? Secretary Regan: I decided to build my own consulting business, and the goal there was to bring my focus back to the state level, primarily clean energy opportunities in eastern North Carolina and how that ties directly to economic development opportunities, as well as education and job creation. While I was exploring the opportunity, then-Attorney General Roy Cooper was running for Governor. I heard a couple of his stump speeches and just got hooked, especially on his love for and dedication to education, the environment and clean energy. It’s an honor to get a call from the Governor and be asked to serve. I saw it, and I see it as an opportunity of a lifetime. For me, it’s the ultimate call of public service, other than those who risk their lives everyday protecting this country or their fellow citizens. It’s not easy by any means, but it is well worth it to push hard and try to do the best that we can for all North Carolinians.

“The issues are very challenging, but not insurmountable.” OSHR: Has your current position been even more challenging than you and your wife thought?. At those time when it is the most challenging, what carries you through? Secretary Regan: The issues are very challenging but not insurmountable. I’m very fortunate to have an agency full of very smart and experienced people who know how to tackle these challenges. When times get really tough, in terms of advancing the ball down the field, I take solace in knowing I have a very smart and capable team and that they trust my leadership. Even though we’re not moving as quickly as I would like, we are constantly seeing incremental progress each and every day. My wife, neither one of us knew exactly what we were getting into (chuckle). She’s very supportive. She’s the cheerleader. It’s good to have that level of support, and we both enthusiastically support the administration’s broader platform. OSHR: What are your favorite books? Secretary Regan: That’s a hard one. One of my favorite books and one that impacted me early in life was the book Sounder. It definitely doesn’t sugar coat how difficult life can be. You have a young man who is driven by his love for his dad and an injustice that his father faces. And there’s the bond that he has with what was his father’s dog and now his dog. It’s a tough journey for this young man and the dog, but in the end, he perseveres. He also breaks a cycle for his family and starts a new future for himself. There are a lot of life lessons there. I also like Stephen King’s Desperation. It’s the classic good versus evil. It shows how trying times bring out who you are; strong versus weak. There are lessons learned in that too. At some point in time, all of us are exposed to strong people. Whether we chose to learn those lessons or not does have some bearing on whether you can make it through those trying times.

OSHR: What about your hobbies? Secretary Regan: When I have time, I really enjoy bass fishing. Another hobby is car restoration. My late father-in-law and I restored a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle. We loved tinkering when we had time. He was a mechanic and I knew nothing about engines. So, it was his opportunity to share. We spent about four years working on the Chevy. OSHR: How did it turn out? Did you finish restoring the car? Secretary Regan: We finished about 90% of the car and then decided to sell it so we could begin a new project. Before beginning the next project, our first son was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. MJ passed from neuroblastoma at 16-months-old. To this day, he serves as an inspiration because of the way he faced the disease. A year later my father-in-law passed from cancer so we never started that new project. OSHR: What motivates you in life and at work? Secretary Regan: I’m motivated by trying to make a difference. Life is very fragile and short, and I personally believe that we all have some purpose on earth. I’m motivated, especially later in life, to try to use my time wisely and in some small way make things better than I found them. In public service, there are so many opportunities to impact people’s lives in so many ways, directly or indirectly. So, I’m motivated by trying to do my small part in making society a little bit better, while also learning from that exposure and bettering myself. “The key mission for the agency is to be good stewards of our air quality, water quality and our natural resources. If we are good stewards of those things, we will positively impact the economy, but will also positively impact public health and people’s daily lives. That’s the essence of it.”

The Governor’s Awards for Excellence 2017 Watcth the inspiring videos featuring each honoree’s story.

Photo credit: Pamela Yelverton

The 2017 Honorees for the Governor’s Awards for Excellence are joined by Governor Roy Cooper (front row middle) and Director of OSHR Barbara Gibson (front row third from left).

Congratulations to the 2017 Governor’s Awards for Excellence Winners! The Office of State Human Resources received 115 nominations for 2017. Each year, the Awards Selection Committee has the difficult task of selecting the award recipients from all the nominations. It is not an easy process. There are countless state employees out there doing amazing things for the state and its citizens. The committee selected 12 state employees, in six different categories. 15

The videos explaining the courageous and generous actions of each recepient were shared during the awards ceremont on November 7, 2017. The event was held at the North Carolina Museum of History following a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion. Their stories describe how they saved lives, changed lives, or in the case of one awardee, gave the public a glimpse into a fascinating behind the scenes look at the mastery of the renovation of priceless works of art.

Members of the Color Guard from the North Carolina Highway Patrol. SPC. Robert Eugene Shook, III with the nurse whose life he saved during Hurricane Matthew.

Read the ceremony program and watch the videos Noelle Ocon (L) with the program’s master of ceremonies, Audrey Bailey (R). Honorees and their guests enjoyed lunch at the Governor’s Mansion prior to the program.

Sergeant Joe W. Bright Jr. receives his boutonniere designating him as an honoree.

North Carolina Department of Transportation Hosts Model Bridge Building Competition Since 2000, The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) – in partnership with Carolinas Associated General Contractors and the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina – has hosted the statewide Model Bridge Building Competition to encourage students to develop math and science skills that are used in transportation, construction and engineering careers as well as the work NCDOT does. The middle and high school students work in teams. There are separate competitions for both age ranges. Team members consider the research, design and imagination that goes into building a model truss bridge. A panel of judges score the submissions on a written report, oral presentation, design drawing and the structural efficiency of their model. Student objectives include: • Encouraging active involvement in constructing and applying mathematical ideas • Stimulating effective questioning techniques that promote interaction • Providing a tool for visualizing structural behavior • Expanding problem-solving skills • Learning to work as a team • Applying research and presentation skills • Demonstrating practical application of math and science skills • Enhancing oral and written communication skills • Allowing non-technical students a chance to gain a greater appreciation for technical fields Entries will be accepted through March 2, 2018. To learn more about the competition guidelines and how to apply, visit the NCDOT website.

The Power of One Be inspired by our 2018 Larkins Award winner Tanya Dearmon. This state employee takes the “power of one” to new heights. After three years with the State of North Carolina, she’s an inspiration to coworkers and the people of our state. Dearmon, an Internal Trainer with the Department of Revenue in Greensboro, says each state employee can make a significant difference in the workplace and in the community. She’s done just that. It just takes one.

Enjoy Tanya Dearmon’s inspiring words.

Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His commitment to Service and His connection to North Carolina By: Bryle Henderson Hatch On Monday, January 15, 2018, millions of people throughout the United of States of America dedicated their day to serving the needs of others and working to better their various communities. The annual MLK Day of Service commemorates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s undying commitment to service, equality, and civil rights. Since 1986, an annual federal holiday has recognized Dr. King’s birthday as a celebration of a dynamic life that was tirelessly committed to bettering the lives of others. The 2018 MLK holiday signified many milestones, the first being what would have been Dr. King’s 89th birthday, and the other being 50 years since his assassination and the end of an era. The 1950s and 1960s were filled with many turbulent moments that signified a shift in socio-political culture. Years of marches, protests, bombings, lynchings, legislative battles, and tense negotiations filled a period that ultimately led to the signing and enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. During this time, Dr. King’s legacy began to take shape, with his words and actions becoming a blueprint for modern community organizing, non-violent protesting, and the fight for systemic change.

Even 50 years after his death, Dr. Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy still greatly impacts the continuous journey for equality and service to all of mankind. Each January, communities throughout the country celebrate this great life by engaging in activities that not only celebrate Dr. King, but put his words of wisdom into action. People of all racial and cultural backgrounds gather together to help others through service-projects that support educational opportunities, community development, and general well-being for those in need. Throughout the years, the state of North Carolina has been committed to recognizing and celebrating Dr. Kings legacy. Like most southern states during that period, North Carolina was directly impacted by the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s. Marches, protests, and boycotts took place in almost every major city, including Photo credit: Jayce Williams Greensboro, which soon found itself in the national spotlight when four North Carolina A&T State University students held a sit-in at the Woolworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counter. As North Carolina joined Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia in the national news for civil rights activities, Dr. King also became a component of our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fight for civil rights. Following the momentum from the sit-ins in Greensboro and throughout the state, Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) held a conference at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina for local leaders to support the use of non-violent tactics in civil rights activities.

Without question, one of Dr. King’s most memorable public moments was his 1963 speech delivered during the March on Washington. Often remembered for his strong and passionate oratorical skills, Dr. King delivered his now famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the National Mall on August 28, 1963. This speech is often seen as a blueprint and platform for the modern civil rights movement, as it envisions how the future of our country could be seen through a lens of equality, justice, and unity. While the speech serves as a core component of his legacy, history rarely notes that Dr. King originally delivered the speech several months prior in North Carolina. During a visit to Rocky Mount, Dr. King delivered the original version of the “I Have a Dream” speech on November 27, 1962 before a crowd of more than 2,000 people. While some of the words were changed, North Carolina was privy to the speech almost nine months before it was heard by the whole world. Even today, as the fight for justice ensues, the “I Have a Dream” speech continues to motivate and inspire those committed to equality. By the end of Dr. King’s life, his platform for equality included individuals who were impoverished and marginalized through mainstream society’s social and economic strongholds. Throughout 1967 and 1968, he traveled the country on his “Poor Peoples Campaign” fighting for fair wages, housing, and educational access. It was during his last living days that a trip to North Carolina was postponed to further a strike with sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. His time in Tennessee would ultimately become his final call-to-action, as he was assassinated there on April 4, 1968. It has been speculated that Dr. King was scheduled to come to Charlotte and Greensboro following his trip to Memphis, making a return to a state that had greatly benefitted from his support and efforts over the years.

As we remember Dr. King and celebrate his life, we must remember his tireless commitment to public service and its lifelong impact on the world and the state of North Carolina. Several cities throughout the state have roads, monuments, schools, and buildings named after Dr. King. In a true testament to his lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, many who celebrate his legacy and actively participate in the festivities during the 2018 MLK holiday were not even born during his lifetime, but they recognize the impact his efforts have made on their lives. Since his untimely death, the last 50 years have been filled with milestones and â&#x20AC;&#x153;firstsâ&#x20AC;? that can be accredited to his foundational work in the fight for equality. We now have federal, state, and local laws that address unlawful discrimination and promote justice for all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation. Looking back on his legacy, we can all take a note from Dr. King and continue to serve others and work together to further bring his dream to fruition.

Steady Shoulders

A Farewell Salute to Three Trailblazers Who Stood Up for State Employees by Melody Hunter-Pillion

Ronnie Condrey is a history buff, and so am I. So, it’s no surprise when I joined the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) in March 2017, the first thing Condrey, OSHR’s senior advisor, showed me was a wall of fame, framed portraits of OSHR’s past leaders. I immediately recognized Harold Webb, former Wake County Commissioner. I had interviewed Webb many times in his role as commissioner when I was a reporter for WTVD. I had also written a story about him and other Tuskegee Airmen who lived in the local area. I did not realize Webb had shaped state employees’ lives and I did not know the other faces in the frames on the lobby wall leading to the conference room. But seeing Webb’s confident and personable image made the impact I suspect Condrey had in mind. I knew this was an office that made a difference because it had been shaped by leaders like Webb who were trailblazers. And of course, I would have no way of knowing Webb and two other OSHR leaders would pass away in the same year I joined state government. We recognize there are numerous people who shaped the resources for and fair treatment of state employees, and steered state personnel over many years, but today we want to honor three trailblazers we lost in 2017. The Resource spoke with Peggy Oliver—a trendsetter in her own right who worked for the state for 56 years—about these key figures and the impact their work continues to have on all state employees today. Let’s remember Claude Caldwell, G.C. Davis and Harold Webb.

Claude Caldwell – In 2018, to see Barbara Gibson, a sharp and decisive woman, sitting at the helm of State Human Resources is not something that could have happened in 1965. But it’s the type of progression for which Claude Caldwell opened the door when he became the state’s first director of a consolidated personnel system in that same year. That’s when the legislature merged the state Merit System, which Caldwell led since 1956, and the personnel department (established by the General Assembly in 1949) into one personnel agency. “He was the first state personnel director,” says Peggy Oliver. “So, he was rather instrumental in setting up a modern personnel system.”

“This was in the 1960s, and what he was doing was different.”- Peggy Oliver

And Cadwell himself proved to be modern in thinking and actions, according to Oliver who Caldwell quickly promoted. “Claude was very progressive in a lot of ways. One of the things I admired about him was that he was out there promoting minorities and women. He certainly supported my career. I came to work for State Personnel as a secretary straight out of college. There were almost no women in administrative positions; most were clerical. He quickly elevated me. I would never have gotten where I was in state government without Claude Caldwell.” She would eventually become assistant director of the agency. “You did not have many white men at that time who were elevating women in that way,” acknowledges Oliver. “He also hired some of the first minorities in administrative jobs for the state of North Carolina. He hired Frank Turner, one of the first African-American men to have a high-status job in state government. This was in the 1960s, and what he was doing was different.” Caldwell retired in 1974, but continued his contributions to the state, using his expertise to improve personnel processes on several UNC campuses, and teaching graduate courses at North Carolina State University. While in State Personnel, Caldwell used his new role to create new opportunities and break new ground.

Harold Webb – “He had a way of drawing people in and making them feel good about themselves.”- Peggy Oliver “Groundbreaking” is a precise way to describe Harold Webb. No stranger to facing challenges or literally being “first,” the former Tuskegee Airman (historic African-American military pilots who fought in WWII), Wake County Commissioner, and civil rights leader became North Carolina’s first African-American state personnel director, appointed by then Governor Jim Hunt in 1977. A decade after the Civil Rights Movement, Webb continued to bring communities together. “He certainly did an awful lot to bring the black and white communities together in the HR field,” says Oliver. “He was a pillar in the black community and politically engaged. He knew how to get things done and work both sides of the aisle. He was a consensus-builder.” Webb used those skills to secure funding for the first Public Manager program. He also strengthened and enhanced the state’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program with dedicated resources. All of those accomplishments required extraordinary people skills. And Oliver says Webb had them.

“I admired Harold Webb for his sense of humor, his personality and his way of drawing people in and making them feel good. His personality made you feel good about yourself and what you were doing.” After leaving the state, Webb, who had been an Orange County teacher and principal before serving the state, served as a Wake County Commissioner from 2003-2010.

Gaither Cramer “G.C.” Davis, Jr. Like Webb and Caldwell, G.C. Davis was a military veteran. He was never Director of State Personnel, but he served the state long and well for 35 years, retiring in 1993 in the position of Deputy Director. Oliver agrees with Ronnie Condrey’s description of Davis as “a giant within state government HR.” A quiet giant, and people took notice. “He commanded a lot of respect,” says Oliver. “He was just one of those people who was well-liked by everybody. He didn’t make waves, but he made a big difference. He was just easy-going, and got things done in a quiet way,” remembers Oliver. “He always listened to people and helped them solve their problems.” Davis coupled problem-solving with another winning quality. “What I really admired about “He didn’t make waves, but him the most was his fairness,” he made a big difference.”- Peggy Oliver says Oliver. “He tried to make every decision as fair as he could, considering the political realm in which we lived. I think that is what other agencies and their secretaries admired about G.C. was his willingness to work with them and try to work out solutions and be fair in all that he could do.”

What More Can be Said? Peggy Oliver felt she did not quite sum up the many qualities of these three remarkable men who improved the workplace for state employees. Fair. Quietly productive. Consensus-building. No words seemed to be satisfactory in capturing the total effect. “Those are the qualities that make good administrators, good bosses, good people to work for, but it’s hard to put those qualities and the balance they had into words.” Hard to describe, but all three of these men had those unusual qualities that made them extraordinary leaders who established lasting resources for North Carolina’s state employees. They left a legacy of good works for employees in a great state.

Revisions to the Agency Performance Management Policy Approved Effective October 1, 2017, the North Carolina State Human Resource Commission (SHRC) approved a series of updates to the Agency Performance Management Policy. The changes include greater emphasis on coaching and feedback for both development and performance improvement. An objective was added to focus specifically on coaching and providing feedback for improvement as a best practice and a precursor to conducting a Documented Counseling Session (DCS). The policy outlines a revised process for addressing unsatisfactory job performance (UJP) issues to achieve alignment with the revised Disciplinary Actions Policy, also effective October 1, 2017. Additional PM Policy revisions include clarified and streamlined processes for the frequency of performance reviews for probationary and time-limited employees, transfers, and manager/ supervisor change scenarios. The updated policy reflects greater flexibility around the documentation of performance. To assist with this documentation, OSHR will continue to provide standard Performance Planning, Interim Review, and Annual Performance Evaluation templates. Individual Development Plan and Documented Counseling templates will also be provided; however, their use will not be required. Although the 3-point rating scale, rating level descriptions, and weight of goals and values remain the same for the evaluation year, the updated policy saw the removal of specific references to these items. A generalized reference to employees performing at the satisfactory level, or needing improvement and steps to take when this occurs, were incorporated into the revised policy. Review the policy here.

Year End & New Year

REMINDERS for your NCFlex Benefits Now that Open Enrollment has ended and we begin to enter our new plan year for benefits, there are some important things to do. Review your benefits! Benefit periods begin January 1, 2018. If you were already enrolled in a plan, it will continue without interruption. Deductions for the 2018 plan year will begin in January, so keep an eye on your paystub. Some things to look for: • Did you add a plan for the first time or enroll in the FSA for 2018? Make sure you see the deduction listed. • Did you change coverage levels, drop a plan, remove a family member, or add a family member? Make sure the amount coming out is correct for the coverage level you chose and those that you are covering. Or if you removed a plan, make sure the deduction is no longer coming out. Visit the NCFlex site, scroll to the bottom to view the guide and all plan details if you aren’t sure of the pricing. If you do not see a deduction for a benefit you believe you enrolled in, you see a deduction that should not be there, or the amount does not seem correct, contact your Agency Health Benefit Representative (HBR). Your HBR can assist in reviewing your benefits for accuracy. If something is found to be inaccurate and you have legitimate reason to believe a deduction is not correct, it is up to the discretion of your HBR to submit an exception to the NCFlex team. Any documentation you have to support your enrollment or disenrollment from a plan should be provided to your HBR (such as a confirmation statement from the enrollment system). Once an exception is submitted to the NCFlex team, approval or denial of that exception will be reported to the HBR within approximately two to three business days (longer if additional information is required) and the changes to your benefits. NOTE: Visit ncflex.org for plan details, important documents, rates, contact information for vendors and more.

Flexible Spending Accounts begin again! Quick reminders for the Health Care FSA: • Your entire balance for 2018 became available January 1, 2018 • No new cards are issued unless it is expired, cards are good for three years (see date on card) • Replacement cards or additional cards for family members can be requested by calling P&A at (1-866-916-3475) or visit the site with the information. You have until 3/15/18 to use remaining 2017 funds and until 4/30/18 to submit claims for the 2017 plan year (expenses incurred 1/1/17 – 3/15/18) Iideas on how to use unused FSA funds are on our site. • Quick reminders for Dependent Day Care FSA • Reimbursements for this account are subject to available account balance (once money is taken from your paycheck, it’s typically available within 1-2 business days) • Reimbursements are now available by swiping your NCFlex Convenience Card – if you also use the Health Care FSA, the same card can be used for both accounts • You have until 3/15/18 to use remaining 2017 funds and until 4/30/18 to submit claims for the 2017 plan year (expenses incurred 1/1/17 – 3/15/18) New Vision Vendor started January 1, 2018 Beginning in 2018, EyeMed becomes our new vision vendor. Be on the lookout for a welcome letter and cards in your mailbox. To find a participating provider in your area and view plan details, click here. Life Events throughout the year Need to make changes in the middle of the year due to a qualifying life event? Learn more here about what events may be eligible for a change: NCFlex Life Events If you believe you are eligible for a change in benefits, log into eEnroll to make changes. Single sign-on may be available through your payroll or HR system. For questions about a life event, if it may be eligible or what documentation may be required, contact your Agency HBR.

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SEANC WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Robert Broome (L) and Mitch Leonard (R) recently met with Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) Director Barbara Gibson

In the first week of 2018, the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) welcomed its new Executive Director Robert Broome for his first official day on the job. Broome comes to SEANC with more than two decades of experience in public affairs and 15 years in government relations. Most recently, he served as Director of Communications for the N.C. Department of Transportation before a brief stint as Interim Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Broome brings with him more than two decades of public affairs experience, including 15 years in government relations for trade associations. Most recently, he served as Director Communications for the N.C. Department of Transportation before a brief stint as Interim Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “SEANC has a proud history of advocating for thousands of public servants who have dedicated their lives and careers to moving North Carolina forward,” said Broome. “It is an honor to be entrusted with this tremendous responsibility by the members, and I am thrilled to become part of this talented team.” Before joining the Department of Transportation in 2016, Broome had extensive experience in lobbying for the real estate industry in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Prior to becoming a lobbyist, he was a research analyst for the Tennessee House of Representatives. He has also served as a political consultant to over 50 campaigns in various capacities, including research, polling, fundraising, strategy and communications. Broome succeeds Mitch Leonard, who is retiring after 41 years of service to the association. He has served as executive director for the last three years.

Office of State Human Resources

The Resource Barbara Gibson, Director, Office of State Human Resources Melody Hunter-Pillion, Communications Director (Writer & Editor) Pamela Yelverton, Communications (Designer & Writer)

the.resource@nc.gov