National Association of State Budget Officers Presents OSBM with Award for Hurricane Helene Analysis

This week, the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) presented the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) with the George A Bell Award in a ceremony at the Governor's mansion in Raleigh. OSBM was selected for the award for the team's work on North Carolina's Hurricane Helene Damage and Needs Assessment.

"In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Office of State Budget and Management went to work to develop a Damage and Needs Assessment that created a road map for North Carolina's recovery efforts," said Governor Josh Stein. "I am proud of the team at OSBM for working quickly and accurately to assess Helene's impact and helping us understand the scale of the damage. This award is well-deserved."

The George A. Bell Award honors state budget personnel for outstanding contributions and service to public budgeting and management in state government.

"NASBO is proud to recognize the exceptional team from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management with the 2025 George A. Bell Service Award," said Shelby Kerns, Executive Director, National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO). "In the wake of unimaginable devastation from Hurricane Helene, these dedicated public servants met the moment with extraordinary resolve and innovation. Their Damage and Needs Assessment became the backbone of North Carolina's recovery - guiding state and federal funding decisions, informing policy at every level of government, and offering a clear, data-driven path forward."

NASBO's Executive Director presented the award at a ceremony held at the Governor's Mansion.

"The work that went into the Helene DNA exemplifies what it means to serve the public in our capacity as the budget office. Our analysts worked tirelessly in the wake of the storm to track down and analyze information to provide crucial guidance and enable better decision-making," said State Budget Director Kristin Walker. "I am thrilled to see their efforts honored."

The George A. Bell Award was established in honor of NASBO's first Executive Director, Dr. George A. Bell. It is a national award recognizing state budget efforts that improve public program administration, enhance the quality of services, and create substantial cost savings for states.

About OSBM

The Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) ensures the effective stewardship of public resources by providing rigorous analysis and leadership.

About NASBO

NASBO advances state budget practices through research, policy analysis, education, and knowledge sharing among its members. For 80 years, the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) has been the professional membership organization for budget and finance officers.