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Eugene H. Rooney, Jr. Award for Leadership Past Recipients

These awards were established in 1994 in memory of Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., who served as NASPE President at a time of great growth for the organization. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify the character, qualities and influence that Rooney had on state personnel administration.

Eugene H. Rooney, Jr. served as state human resources administrator in Massachusetts. He was well-respected for his role as a reformer and innovator—and, most importantly, valuing individuals and their commitment to public service. He served in several roles during his 21-year public service career.

2024

Mary Elizabeth Bailey

Cabinet Secretary
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet

2023

Kelly Hardwick

State Personnel Director
Mississippi State Personnel Board

2022

Byron Decoteau

State Civil Services Director
Louisiana State Civil Service

2021

John Bartley

Deputy Director, Division of Human Resources
Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration

2019

Tom Stephens

Cabinet Secretary
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet

2018

Joyce Oreskovich

Director of Human Resources
Maine Bureau of Human Resources

2017

Deanne Mosley

Executive Director
Mississippi State Personnel Board

2016

Neal Alexander

Director
North Carolina Office of State Human Resources

2015

Rebecca Hunter

Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Human Resources

2014

Jim Honchar

Deputy Secretary for Human Resources
Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Administration

2013

Kathy Nesbitt

State Personnel Director and Executive Director
Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration

2012

Shannon Templet

Director of State Civil Service
Louisiana Department of State Civil Service

2010

Jeff Herring

Executive Director
Utah Department of Human Resources Management

2009

Eva Santos

Director
Washington State Department of Personnel

2008

Sara Redding Wilson

Director
Virginia Department of Human Resource Management

2007

Thomas Wright

State Personnel Director
North Carolina Office of State Personnel

2006

Nancy Dering Martin

Deputy Secretary For Human Resources & Management
Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Administration

2005

Samuel Wilkins

State Human Resources Director
South Carolina Office of Human Resources

2004

Marjorie Young

Commissioner
Georgia Merit System of Personnel Administration

2003

J.K. "Hoopy" Stringer

Executive Director
Mississippi State Personnel Board

2002

Jeffrey Schutt

Director
Colorado Division of Human Resources, Benefits & Risk Services

2001

Mollie Anderson

Director
Iowa Department of Personnel

2000

Donna Traywick

Director
South Carolina Office of Human Resources

1999

Robert Lavigna

Director
Wisconsin Department of Employment Relations

1998

Dennis Karras

Director
Washington State Department of Personnel

1997

Oscar B. Jackson

Administrator
Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management

1996

Linda Anselmini

Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Personnel

1996

Linda Hanson

Director
Iowa Department of Personnel

1995

Martha Bibbs

State Personnel Director
Michigan Department of Civil Services

1994

Sharon Y. Miyashiro

Director
Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development

  


To view a list of previous winners and other nominations, visit the NASPEs Hall of Fame.