The Employees Political Action Committee (EMPAC), a member-led subsidiary of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, presented its Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year award to Sen. Shirley Randleman (R-Wilkes) for her role in advocating for transparency in the $90 billion state retirement system during the 2014 General Assembly session.

The award was presented by Statewide EMPAC Chairman Wayne Fish at SEANC’s annual convention of more than 850 delegates on Friday at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Sen. Randleman, a longtime SEANC member and Clerk of Court from Wilkes County, was on hand to accept the award.

“Sen. Randleman has been a friend of SEANC and state employees for many years,” Fish said. “We are proud to stand with her in this election as she has stood with us in the General Assembly.”

Sen. Randleman was instrumental in SEANC’s successful attempt to ward off an attempt to enshrine secrecy in the state retirement system during the 2014 General Assembly session after state Treasurer Janet Cowell pushed a bill to allow money managers to keep their deals with the state secret for up to 10 years after they are signed.

When given the opportunity to speak on the bill during the Senate Pensions, Retirement and Aging Committee meeting, she talked about the problems with the proposed legislation and also related her problem securing investment information from the State Treasurer. The bill was pulled from the agenda and received no further consideration.

Randleman also sponsored a bill to expand benefits associated with the Bailey Settlement, which makes pension benefits for some state employees exempt from state income tax, to all state retirees within 10 years. The bill is expected to be reintroduced in the 2015 session.

The award is named for Lisa B. Mitchell, an outstanding and dedicated state employee and SEANC member from Durham. She worked for North Carolina Central University and served EMPAC for several years. Lisa Mitchell passed away in 2008 after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Recipients of the Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year Award are state representatives or senators who champion quality public services. This award comes with a maximum $5,000 campaign donation.

Randleman served in the N.C. House before being appointed to the N.C. Senate to replace the late Sen. Don East in 2013. Her district extends to Stokes, Surry and Wilkes counties.