Fayetteville Technical Community College President Mark Sorrells was honored by the N.C. Technology Association as its Tech Difference Maker of the Year.
The award was presented at a gala on Wednesday night in Raleigh, according to a news release.
Sorrells was recognized for role helping to launch the Carolina Cyber Network, a collaborative workforce development initiative through which select cybersecurity education institutions are working together to meet the growing talent needs of the state’s public agencies and private businesses.
“Our job is to put a talent development pipeline out there to help secure the interests of our public and private companies across the state,” Sorrells said in accepting the award.
FTCC and the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, both of which are designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Education by the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, joined to establish the network. Since then, 16 other higher education institutions in North Carolina have joined, the release said.
Sorrells recently made a presentation on the network and North Carolina’s innovation in cyber education at the National Cybersecurity Education Colloquium in Illinois.
For information about FTCC, visit www.faytechcc.edu.
For information about the Carolina Cyber Network, visit www.carolinacybernetwork.net.
Bass Air Conditioning to give away heating system to someone in need
As winter approaches, Bass Air Conditioning Co. wants to help a family in need by giving away a new home heating and cooling system, according to the company’s website.
The company has partnered with Amana to prepare a home in the Fayetteville area for cold weather.
Nominate a family, an individual or yourself using the form on the Bass website at bass-air.com/holidays.
The nomination should include information about medical circumstances, financial hardships, community involvement, and other circumstances that should be considered.
Nominees must own their homes and live in one of Bass’ service areas: Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Robeson, or Sampson counties.
The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1. A winner will be selected on or about Dec. 8.
Fire Department hosts job orientations ahead of hiring period
The Fayetteville Fire Department will host two job candidate orientation sessions for people interested in applying during the annual recruitment period.
The sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 18 and Dec. 9, according to a news release.
Job candidates can learn about testing, the hiring process and physical abilities requirements. The department also will offer interview skills training during the orientations.
The application and selection process begins in January.
To register for a session, email Captain Stephen Shakeshaft at stephenshakeshaft@fayettevillenc.gov with your name, phone number and orientation session date. Each candidate may attend only one session. Pre-registration is required.
Attending orientation is not required to apply for a job.
Visit the Fire Department’s employment webpage to review the hiring process.
For more information, contact Shakeshaft at 910-676-1716 or by email.
Cumberland County earns budget award from Finance Officers Association
Cumberland County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the county’s fiscal 2024 budget for the first time since 1998, according to a news release.
To receive the budget award, government entities must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for an effective budget presentation.
Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in four categories and in the 14 criteria within those categories to receive the award.
“I appreciate and commend the hard work of the Budget & Performance Department achieving this award from the GFOA under the leadership of Deborah Shaw, budget & performance director,” said County Manager Clarence Grier. “It represents a significant achievement for the county and the department.”
To qualify, the budget staff made enhancements including producing a video to present budget highlights to the public, the release said.
Shaw said earning the award was one of her staff’s main goals.
“I appreciate the leadership and support of the county manager and Board of Commissioners throughout this process, as well as the engagement from our county departments and the hard work our budget staff put in to make this happen,” she said.
The Budget & Performance Department staff includes Denise Urban and Kelly Autry, both senior budget and management analysts, and Ashley Brewington and Gathany Smith, both budget analysts.
To view documents related to the 2024 budget, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/budget.
