Finalists for John R. Larkins Award Announced | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC     The Office of Governor Pat McCrory has announced this year's finalists for the John R. Larkins award.

    The award, established in 1998 and named after a former state employee and pioneering race relations advocate, is one of the highest honors in the state. It is presented each year to an employee who best demonstrates the promotion of community and race relations.

   •  Stephanie Nantz - Nantz is the executive director of Youth Advocacy and Involvement for the North Carolina Department of Administration. She received her undergraduate degree from East Carolina University and an MPA from North Carolina Central University. Nantz was the NC Department of Administration Employee of the Year in 2009.

   •  Louis Mitchell - Mitchell is the division engineer for the 10th Highway Division within the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Clemson University and is a registered professional engineer. He has served more than 21 years in the United States Army.

   •  Mary B. Farrar - Farrar works as a claims investigator in DPS' Office of Victim Services in the Victims Compensation Services Section. She graduated from Shaw University with a bachelor of arts in public administration. She also received a MBA in business administration from Strayer University. In 2010, she earned a second MPA in professional accounting.

   •  Pamela Taylor - Taylor is the employee relations director for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She has worked for the state for 27 years. Taylor is the community liaison for Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and is also on the policy platform advisory board for SEANC. She serves as the vice president of the North Carolina Central University Raleigh/Wake Alumni Association.

    Finalists were chosen by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, a board within the state's Department of Administration.

    The award winner will be announced Friday, January 17 at the award ceremony within the 2014 North Carolina State Employees Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance Program.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
        govpress@nc.gov