Governor Stein Celebrates Exceptional North Carolinians at Long Leaf Pine Presentation

Today Governor Josh Stein inducted a group of outstanding North Carolinians into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for their contributions to their communities.

"These exceptional North Carolinians have strengthened our state through their leadership, service, and dedication to their communities," said Governor Josh Stein. "I am proud to honor them today for the lasting impact they have made across the Triad and throughout North Carolina."

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Honorees:

• Valencia Abbott, Rockingham County - Rockingham Early College High School social studies teacher; 2025 North Carolina History Teacher of the Year; Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History 2025 National History Teacher of the Year
• Kevin Baker, Guilford County - Executive director of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority
• Bishop Larry Brown, Moore County - Minister at Taylortown's House of Prayer
• Judge Julianna Earp, Guilford County - Former Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases on the North Carolina Business Court
• Lara Gerald, Forsyth County - President of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust; former North Carolina State Health Director
• Deena Hayes-Greene, Guilford County - Guilford County Board of Education member; Co-founder and managing director of the Racial Equity Institute
• Allen Joines, Forsyth County - Mayor of Winston-Salem
• Stephen Lee, Guilford County - Former Northern Guilford Middle School career and technical education teacher
• Kelly A. Moore, Guilford County - Greensboro Police Department Director of Forensic Services
• Paula Rakestraw, Rockingham County - Former executive director of the Rockingham County Partnership for Children; Rockingham County Board of Education member
• Michael Regan, Wake County - Former Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for Governor Roy Cooper; former administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Judge Michael L. Robinson, Forsyth County - Former Chief Judge of the North Carolina Business Court; former Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases
• Tim Tsujii, Forsyth County - Forsyth County director of elections; 2026 U.S. Election Assistance Commission Clearinghouse Award recipient
• Officer Michael Smith and Sergeant Liam Whelan, Forsyth County - Winston-Salem Police Department