Matt Hester, who serves as Information Technology (IT) Director for Dare County, has received the prestigious honor of being named Dare County Employee of the Year for 2024, an honor awarded by his peers in recognition of his unparalleled work ethic, knowledge and expertise, and dedication to his duties. The official announcement was made by Dare County Human Resources Director Elizabeth Reilly during the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025.
“I am honored today to be presenting the 2024 Employee of the Year,” Reilly said as she began the presentation. “Dare County’s employees are our number one asset. They give it their all to make Dare County the best. Dare County would not be what it is if it wasn’t for our employees who work tirelessly around the clock for our residents and visitors. We are extremely fortunate to have each and every one of them.”
Throughout the year, Employee of the Month nomination forms are submitted by Dare County employees to the Dare County Human Resources Department, where they are reviewed and then forwarded to a committee composed of previous Dare County Employee of the Month recipients. The Employee of the Month Committee meets each month to discuss the nominations that were submitted and selects one outstanding employee to receive the award.
At the end of the year, the Employee of the Month Committee evaluates the 12 Dare County employees who have earned the Employee of the Month distinction and selects one individual to receive the esteemed title of Dare County Employee of the Year.
“Now, for the 2024 Employee of the Year—congratulations to our IT Director, Matt Hester!” said Reilly.
Hester—who had been named Dare County Employee of the Month for June 2024—began his service to Dare County on April 28, 2014, when he was initially hired to serve as an Information Systems Analyst in the IT Department before being promoted to his current position of IT Director on June 1, 2017. As IT Director, Hester’s domain includes everything from the county’s phones, computers, printers and networks to all of its computer systems and programs, emails, faxes, security systems, backup systems and redundant backup systems, among many others. Responsible for completing countless complex tasks in his day-to-day duties, he plays a crucial role in ensuring Dare County’s operations run seamlessly and that each of the county’s 700-plus employees are equipped with the tools and resources they need in order to provide a variety of essential services to residents, visitors and property owners throughout the community.
Hester’s colleagues consistently praise his exceptional dedication, strong work ethic and his willingness to go above and beyond in order to support the unique technological needs of every Dare County department. Whether he is troubleshooting critical issues in real-time, implementing the latest technological advancements or training county employees on cybersecurity best practices, Hester is described by his coworkers as a true “hero behind the scenes” whose positive impact is felt countywide.
In nominating him for this recognition, Hester’s peers have commended his unwavering reliability, noting that he is always just a phone call away—day or night—and ready to diagnose and resolve any IT-related challenge he encounters. His depth of knowledge is matched only by his eagerness to share it, making him not just a problem-solver but also a mentor who strengthens his entire team. His ability to build strong relationships across Dare County departments—as well as representatives from the six incorporated towns in Dare County and a variety of other local agencies—further underscores the immense value he brings to Dare County.
As one colleague stated in their nomination form recommending that Hester be named Employee of the Month in June 2024, “You don’t realize how much Matt does until something isn’t working—then you see him spring into action.” While Hester prefers to work behind the scenes, his expertise, leadership and dedication make him a truly incredible asset to Dare County, and his recognition as Employee of the Year for 2024 is a testament to the profound impact he has on the entire Dare County community.
At the conclusion of the Employee of the Year presentation, Hester took to the podium to offer his sincere—and humble—appreciation not only for the prestigious award he received, but also for his staff members within the Dare County IT Department who work alongside him each day to ensure the county’s operations continue to run smoothly, effectively and securely.
“I can’t do this alone; I have a stellar staff—they’re just the best,” said Hester as he accepted the honor of being named 2024 Dare County Employee of the Year. “They allow me to be my best, and I hope that I encourage them to be their best and just do everything that we can to make sure the county is up and running. Thank you so much. I appreciate it—and, again, thanks to my staff for allowing me to do this; they’re awesome. I couldn’t do it without them. Thank you, guys!”
For more information about the Dare County IT Department, visit DareNC.gov
2024 Employee of the Month Recipients
Matt Hester, who serves as Information Technology (IT) Director for Dare County, was selected as Dare County’s 2024 Employee of the Year from the 12 exceptional Dare County employees who were each honored as Employee of the Month throughout 2024. Congratulations to all of Dare County’s 2024 Employee of the Month recipients, who received their awards as follows.
January 2024:
Dustin Walston, Deputy Sheriff for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office (School Resource Officer at First Flight Middle School)
February 2024:
Eileen Proctor, Administrative Technician for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications Center
March 2024:
James Basnight, Crew Leader for the Grounds Maintenance Division of the Dare County Public Works Department
April 2024:
Misty Parnell, Senior Environmental Health Specialist for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services
May 2024:
Stephen Burritt, Dare County EMS Captain
June 2024:
Matt Hester, Dare County Information Technology Director
July 2024:
Sherriann Sarsfield, Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator for the Dare County Water Department
August 2024:
Josh Coltrain, Environmental Health Supervisor for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services
September 2024:
Molly Greenwood, Advanced EMT for Dare County EMS
October 2024:
Matt Dobrosky, Accounting Specialist for the Dare County Finance Department
November 2024:
Brandon Patsel, Maintenance Crew Leader for the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department’s Northern Beach Division
December 2024:
Roxana Ballinger, Health Education and Community Outreach Manager for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services
The post Matt Hester named Dare County 2024 Employee of the Year appeared first on Island Free Press.
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