The Town of Chapel Hill chose its longest-tenured current employee as deserving of the local government’s top annual honor for staff.
During a ceremony at the Chapel Hill Public Library on Wednesday, the Public Works department’s assistant director Richard Terrell was named the recipient of the 2023 W. Calvin Horton Service Award. The honor, which is given to an employee who “provides exceptional service to the town and the community” for at least ten years, comes as Terrell is in Year 47 of working for the Chapel Hill government.
Richard Terrell (right) was chosen as the winner of the town’s annual service award by a group of past recipients. Town Manager Chris Blue (left) presented him with the honor, which includes a glass plaque and a cash stipend. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
This year, the town had 15 employees from 11 departments up for the honor — as they are nominated by their peers. Terrell’s name was submitted by Public Works Director Lance Norris, who said not only Terrell’s longevity and adaptability but his willingness to help others in the position set him apart. During his time at Public Works, Terrell has participated in facilitating major town construction projects as well as coordinating the town’s response to events like severe weather, Halloween celebrations, and UNC students rushing Franklin Street after basketball victories.
Norris shared one story of that service when Winter Storm Jonas dropped a significant amount of snow onto Chapel Hill in 2016.
“A resident called Public Works because a plow had blocked her car with snow and she was unable to get to her job as a nurse,” he said. “Richard went to inspect the issue, saw the need, and personally dug her car out of the snow himself.”
Additionally, Terrell has helped bring many employees into the local government fold during his four decades of service. Part of his responsibility is hiring and mentoring other town workers, according to Chapel Hill.
The service award’s namesake is known for having an extended stint with the town government. Cal Horton served as the Chapel Hill Town Manager from 1990 to 2006, which marks the longest tenure of that position in the town’s history. Upon his retirement, Horton urged the town to use funds to create its Employee of the Year honor to recognized long-standing workers within the community. The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro oversees the not-for-profit charitable group that handles fundraising for the award.
Horton was able to attend Wednesday’s ceremony, briefly speaking to the nominated employees and town leadership there.
Former Chapel Hill Town Manager Cal Horton shares remarks with those gathered at the Chapel Hill Public Library for awarding of the 2023 service award established in his honor. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
The full list of Town of Chapel Hill employees nominated for the W. Calvin Horton Service Award were:
- Zakia Alam, Business Management
- Carla Burnette, Technology Solutions
- Lizzie Burrill, Parks and Recreation
- Tom Clark, Human Resource
- Nigel Frank, Transit
- Angela Gerald, Public Housing
- Judy Johnson, Planning
- Don Marsh, Parks and Recreation
- Shanika Nickerson, Transit
- Derrick Parrish, Public Housing
- Akalema Pherribo, Transit
- John Richardson, Sustainability
- Jeff Stevens, Fire
- Richard Terrell, Public Works
- Steve Wright, Community Arts & Culture
“All of the nominees exemplify our organizational values and are recognized by their peers as providing exceptional service to their colleagues and the community,” current Town Manager Chris Blue said. “I am proud to serve along with all of the nominees and pleased to be able to recognize Richard Terrell as this year’s recipient.”
Town of Chapel Hill employees nominated for the 2023 W. Calvin Horton Service Award pose together with former Town Manager Cal Horton (front, far left) and current Town Manager Chris Blue (front, far right) outside the library. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
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