Town Finance Director Receives North Carolina’s Highest Civilian Honor

CLAYTON, N.C. – Robert W. McKie, Jr., longtime Finance Director for the Town of Clayton, is the recipient of North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The award recognizes his decades of public service and lasting impact on Clayton and communities across the state.

McKie received the award during the Clayton Town Council meeting on Monday, August 17, as he prepared to retire after 17 years with the Town. His retirement brings to a close 22 years of government service in North Carolina and a professional career spanning more than 45 years.

“When you spend this many years doing something, you realize that the people are what stay with you,” said McKie. “I have had the chance to work with so many talented people and hopefully pass along some of what I have learned too. Knowing that I was able to help someone find an answer, understand something a little better, or do their job with more confidence means a great deal to me.”

Since joining the Town in 2009, McKie has overseen Clayton’s budget, accounting, purchasing, investments, debt management, financial reporting, and other areas that help keep the Town on solid financial footing. During a time of significant change in Clayton, he has provided steady guidance as the Town expanded services, addressed complex infrastructure needs, and made major investments in the community.

That work has also earned national recognition. Under McKie’s direction, Clayton has repeatedly received awards from the Government Finance Officers Association for its financial reporting and budgeting. The honors reflect an ongoing focus on giving residents and elected officials clear, accurate information about how public dollars are managed.

While those accomplishments can be measured in reports and awards, McKie’s influence can also be found in the people who have turned to him for guidance over the years.

“Robert is one of those people you go to when you need an answer, and usually, he has it,” said Town Manager Rich Cappola. “You can walk into his office with what you think is a simple question and leave having learned far more than you expected. He does not just give you an answer. He takes the time to explain why, share what he knows, and make sure you understand it. That is something a lot of us will miss.”

McKie brought decades of experience with him when he came to Clayton. Before joining the Town, he held finance positions with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina General Assembly. Earlier in his career, he spent more than 20 years in the private sector, working in accounting, budgeting, analysis, and management.

Along the way, he also made sharing that experience as part of his career. McKie has served as a mentor and resource for colleagues, municipal employees, finance professionals, and public administrators. He is a graduate of the North Carolina Certified Public Manager Program and has taken part in professional organizations and training programs focused on government finance and public administration.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine recognizes that lifetime of service. Awarded by the Governor of North Carolina, it is considered the state’s highest civilian honor and is given to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and the state.

McKie is the second longtime Town of Clayton employee to receive the honor in recent months. In June, Revenue and Utility Customer Service Director Ann Game received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine as she prepared to retire after nearly 20 years with the Town. The recognition of both employees celebrates two remarkable careers and decades dedicated to the Town of Clayton and the people of North Carolina.