Editor’s note: A version of this story first appeared in CityView’s education newsletter. Subscribe to receive it on Tuesdays along with our daily newsletter, which is sent mornings Sunday through Friday.
For many educators, the most visible work happens inside the classroom. But for Ruben Reyes, supporting student success begins by supporting the employees who make schools run every day.
As associate superintendent for Human Resources, Reyes oversees work that touches nearly every corner of Cumberland County Schools—from recruitment and licensure to employee relations, compensation, benefits, and personnel support.
On June 17, Reyes was named the 2025-26 Dr. Joseph Locklear/Ricky Lopes Central Services Employee of the Year, an annual honor recognizing outstanding leadership and service among the district’s Central Services employees.
For Reyes, the recognition carries special meaning because of the people whose names the award honors.
“The late Joseph Locklear was my predecessor in Human Resources, and his leadership and service helped shape the work we continue today,” Reyes said. “Mr. Ricky Lopes is someone I have tremendous respect for and consider a mentor and trusted confidant. To be associated with an award that carries their names makes this recognition even more personal and meaningful.”
While the award recognizes an individual, Reyes said it reflects the work of the entire Human Resources team.
“HR is a team effort in every sense,” he said. “From recruitment and licensure to employee relations, benefits, leave, compensation, personnel support and customer service, our team works every day to support employees across the district.”
CityView recently spoke with Reyes about his journey into education, what the recognition means to him, and why strong central office leadership is essential to student success.
For readers meeting you for the first time, tell us about your background and what first inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I am proud to be a product of Cumberland County Schools. I attended J.W. Coon Elementary, Mary McArthur Elementary, and Douglas Byrd Junior High and High School, so my connection to this district is both personal and professional. Cumberland County Schools helped shape who I am, and it is meaningful to now serve the same district that invested in me as a student.
My path in education continued at North Carolina State University, where I attended as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. I later earned a master’s degree in school psychology from Western Carolina University. Those experiences helped strengthen my commitment to public education and deepened my understanding of the many ways schools support students academically, socially and emotionally.
Throughout my career in Cumberland County Schools, I have had the opportunity to serve in several roles, including school psychologist, lead school psychologist, and executive director of Exceptional Children’s Services before my current role in Human Resources. Each position gave me a different perspective on the needs of students, families, employees and school leaders. Those experiences continue to shape the way I lead today.
I was shaped by the belief that education changes lives—not only for students, but for entire families and communities. That belief is personal for me. The patriarch and matriarch of my family, Benjamin and Luz Reyes, helped establish a foundation of faith, family, hard work, and service that continues to influence me today. My parents, Rafael and Kye Reyes, built on that foundation and taught me the value of humility, perseverance and treating people with dignity. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career.
Those values continue to guide the way I approach my work every day. My wife, Renee, and our children, Cole and Carly, are also a constant source of encouragement and perspective. They remind me why this work matters and why the decisions we make as educators and leaders have a lasting impact on families across our community.
Being recognized as Central Services Employee of the Year reflects years of service behind the scenes. What does this honor mean to you personally?
It is an incredibly meaningful honor, and I am truly humbled by it. Central Services work is often done quietly, but it is deeply connected to the success of our schools. To be recognized by colleagues for that work is something I do not take lightly.
This honor is especially meaningful because of the namesakes of the award. The late Dr. Joseph Locklear was my predecessor in Human Resources, and his leadership and service helped shape the work we continue today. Mr. Ricky Lopes is someone I have tremendous respect for and consider a mentor and trusted confidant. To be associated with an award that carries their names makes this recognition even more personal and meaningful.
While this award is given to an individual, I see it as a reflection of the work of our entire Human Resources team. HR is a team effort in every sense. From recruitment and licensure to employee relations, benefits, leave, compensation, personnel support and customer service, our team works every day to support employees across the district. Much of that work happens behind the scenes, but it has a direct impact on schools, departments and the people who serve our students.
I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated HR professionals, colleagues, and school leaders who care deeply about Cumberland County Schools and the people we serve. Any recognition I receive is also a reflection of the teams, mentors, and colleagues who have supported and challenged me along the way.
In education, people often focus on what happens inside classrooms. Why is strong central office leadership just as important to supporting students?
The classroom is where the most visible and important work happens for students, but strong schools require strong support systems. Central office leadership helps create the conditions that allow teachers, principals, and school staff to focus on teaching and learning.
Every department in Central Services plays a role in student success. Human Resources helps ensure schools are staffed and employees are supported. Finance, operations, technology, transportation, student services, curriculum, school support, and many other areas all contribute to the daily functioning of schools. When those systems work well, they remove barriers and allow educators to concentrate on students.
Strong central office leadership is not about being removed from schools. It is about being connected to schools, listening to their needs and making decisions that support the work happening closest to students. As someone who grew up in Cumberland County Schools, I know firsthand that students benefit when the entire district works together in support of schools, families and communities.
Ultimately, central office leadership should be measured by how well it supports schools. Our work should make it easier for school-based employees to do their work and for students to have the opportunities, stability and support they deserve.
Looking back on your career in Cumberland County Schools, what has kept you committed to public education and serving this district?
The people, the purpose, and the personal connections are what has kept me committed to Cumberland County Schools. This district helped educate me, and I have never forgotten the impact that teachers, school staff, and caring adults can have on a student’s life. Cumberland County Schools is a large and diverse district, and I believe deeply in the mission of public education. Our schools serve students from many backgrounds, and each student deserves adults who believe in them and systems that support their success.
I have stayed committed because I have seen the difference dedicated educators and staff members make every day. I have seen employees go above and beyond for students, families, and one another. That kind of commitment is inspiring, and it makes me proud to serve this district.
Cumberland County is home. My family, my extended family, and my career are all connected to this community. I want my children to see that investing in people is one of the most important things we can do.
Public education remains one of the greatest ways to strengthen a community, and I am grateful to play a part in that work. Serving Cumberland County Schools is not just a professional responsibility for me; it is a way to give back to a district and community that helped shape my life.
