North Carolina Dcprtmcnt of Flcalth and I-Ittmatr Se ryices

Division of Vocational Rchabilitation Scrvic es

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May 1, 2012

To whom it may concern:

I nominated Robin Shaw for the leadership award because he exemplifies all aspects of good
leadership both in his management and the example he sets for others.
Robin was not the CIC when I first started this job, but he was, and still is the '*Go To" guy for
everyone in the Kinston offce, He denotes professional behavior at all times and shows compassion
and respect for his clients and coworkers.
Robin shows dedication to helping our clients. He takes persCInal responsibili for the office, while
giving others credit for positive outcomes. He has an open door policy and is always willing to help
and offer guidance with any issue * professional or personal. He is creative and efficient, and
respects these traits in others. He also has a good * if not slightly warped sense of humor,
Robin's management slyle is very subtle. He usually asks leading questons to guide his staff in
coming up with their own solutions * or ideas of where to find answers allowing them to gain the
confidence of solving their own problems (his Master's degree in Psychology is showing). He is also
very good at reading people and adapting his communication and leadership to the needs of that
individual.

My personal experience has been:

people wiLh criminal records before, people
people
that were sincerely in need - or people who were
who accept abject poverty as way of life,
trying to deceive and take advantage. I was very naive.

I had never worked with people with disabilities before,

Robin helped me learn to recognize the good from the bad, to accept the way many of our clients live
even if I will never understand it, to sympathize/ nd to trust my instincts but not let fear interfere
with my job. He taught me guarded compassion.
Robin has supported me in my effofts to connect with local employers and agencies to get the word
out about VR (accompanied me on localTV show), and he has assisted me in coming up with
strategies to promote employment of our clients.

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to suggest ideas for connecting with focal employers, He

up with and allows me to do things my own way.

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also vey supportive of the idea$,I come

Robin is a terrific'leader and very deserving o,f this award.

Sincerely,
I

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Business Relations Represen,tative

NC Division'of Vocatiqnal Rehabilitation
Lenoi r county/Ki nston Offi ce

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