Town Announces 2026 Recipient of Cal Horton Service Award

Published on October 15, 2026

Ted Voorhees and Karin Michel pose for a photo

At a ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 14, Chapel Hill Town Manager Ted Voorhees announced Karin Michel as the recipient of the 2026 Cal Horton Service Award, the Town’s highest employee honor.

Karin currently serves as Library’s Youth & Family Services Manager and has been employed with the Town for 28 years. She started with the Chapel Hill Public Library in 1998, as a summer library assistant. She stepped into her current role in 2000 and has helped lead the library through major transitions, including two library renovations and providing library service during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to her service to the Chapel Hill community, Michel has contributed nationally to the library profession, serving on major literary award committees, including the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award and the Andrew Carnegie Award

Library Director Atlas Logan nominated Michel, highlighting her empathetic leadership and her service to her team and the community. Her submission said that Michel leads by example in every aspect of library service, from mentoring new staff and fostering collaboration to helping address daily challenges both large and small. The submission also outlined how Michel’s vision, dedication, and warmth has shaped the children’s area to become one of the community’s most vibrant and well-loved destinations for children and their families.

Named for a former Town Manager, the Cal Horton Service Award is the Town’s highest honor and is given to an employee who provides exceptional service to the Town and the community. The employee receives an inscribed glass plaque and a cash stipend. Employees are nominated by their peers, and a committee of previous recipients selects the annual award winner. This year, there were sixteen nominees from eleven departments:

  • Chase Barnard, Technology Solutions
  • Bobby Bratton, Public Works
  • Matt DeBellis, Clerk’s Office
  • Keith Dodson, Parks & Recreation
  • Curt Farrell, Police
  • Angela Gerald, Housing & Community Development
  • LaTonya McNair, Business Management
  • Karin Michel, Library
  • Ernest Odei-Larbi, Planning
  • Derrick Parrish, Housing & Community Development
  • Bryan Pendleton, Police
  • Tamika Price, Police
  • Christina Strauch, Communications & Engagement
  • Kelly Stokes, Human Resource Development
  • Carolyn Worsley, Attorney’s Office
  • Seth Yachtis, Technology Solutions

“All of the nominees exemplify our organizational values and truly deliver on the Town’s mission of learning, serving, and working together to build a community where everyone thrives,” Manager Voorhees said. “I am incredibly proud to serve alongside these nominees and pleased to be able to recognize Karin Michel as this year’s recipient.”

The Cal Horton Service Award started in 2007 with funding raised by the community.  The Foundation for a Sustainable Community Inc., a not-for-profit charitable corporation under the auspices of the Chapel Hill–Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, manages the funds.

 

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