Special to IFN

RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein has inducted eight North Carolinians into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for their lifelong careers in public service. He also presented the Laurel Wreath to two North Carolinians who have made outstanding contributions to sports or athletics.

“North Carolina is full of outstanding individuals who have contributed to our state through careers in government, law, business, philanthropy, and sports,” Stein during Thursday’s ceremony. “This group exemplifies the best of our state, and I am pleased to honor them today.”

Laurel Wreath Honorees

♦ Erin Matson – Field hockey coach (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill); and
♦ Parker Byrd – Baseball player (East Carolina University)

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Honorees

♦ John Lucas Sr. – Former principal of Hillside High School (Posthumous);
♦ Jim Johnson – William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at UNC Chapel Hill;
♦ Sue Henderson – Former regional managing director of the Triad West Region of Wells Fargo;
♦ Janice Cole – Hertford town manager and former U.S. attorney;
♦ Lora Cubbage – Greensboro deputy city attorney and former Superior Court judge;
♦ Randy Woodson – Chancellor of North Carolina State University;
♦ Steve Troxler – North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture; and
♦ G.K. Butterfield – former United States Representative