Jim Flechtner

Former CFPUA Executive Director Jim Flechtner has been presented with the Old North State Award in recognition of his 27 years of public service, according to a news release.

The state award recognizes “dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence" to North Carolina, stated the release.

Flechtner joined the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) in 2008 as one of its original employees, officials said.

He served as executive director of CFPUA from 2014 until his retirement in June. Prior to his work at CFPUA, Flechtner spent 14 years working with the city of Wilmington, primarily in the traffic engineering division.

The award was presented to Flechtner by New Hanover County Commissioner and CFPUA board member Jonathan Barfield during the county commissioners' meeting on July 13.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners also approved a resolution acknowledging Flechtner’s “dedicated service to the community and his high standards of professional ethics and personal integrity,” officials said in the release.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo also recognized Flechtner for his work at the city on projects such as the Wrightsville Avenue/South 17th Street corridor redesign, and for his leadership at CFPUA on efforts that "significantly reduced sanitary sewer overflows across the service area," officials said in the release.