Skyler Foley, who has served as Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners since August 7, 2023, has received the prestigious honor of being named Dare County Employee of the Year for 2025. The announcement was made by Dare County Human Resources Director Elizabeth Reilly during the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026. 

“I am honored today to be presenting the 2025 Employee of the Year,” Reilly said as she began the presentation. “Dare County’s employees are our number one asset. They give it their all to make Dare County the best. Dare County would not be what it is if it wasn’t for our employees who work tirelessly around the clock for our residents and visitors. We are extremely fortunate to have each and every employee.”

Throughout the year, Employee of the Month nomination forms are submitted by Dare County employees to the Dare County Human Resources Department, where they are reviewed and then forwarded to a committee composed of previous Dare County Employee of the Month recipients. The Employee of the Month Committee meets each month to discuss the nominations that were submitted and selects one outstanding employee to receive the award.

Dare County Human Resources Director Elizabeth Reilly presents the Employee of the Year award to Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners Skyler Foley during the meeting.

At the end of the year, the Employee of the Month Committee evaluates the 12 Dare County employees who have earned the Employee of the Month distinction and selects one individual to receive the esteemed title of Dare County Employee of the Year.

“Now, for the 2025 Employee of the Year: Congratulations to Clerk to the Board, Skyler Foley!” said Reilly. 

During the Employee of the Year presentation, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard took a few moments to share his appreciation for Foley’s versatile skill set, strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to her duties.

“I just want to share with the public and those that are here today: You have no idea the amount of hours that Skyler puts in for us,” said Woodard. “She hasn’t been our clerk that long, but she has just taken over that job and run with it.” 

Skyler Foley holds up her Employee of the Year certificate and award.

As Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners, Foley is responsible for an assortment of important duties that include preparing and maintaining official Dare County records and files, preparing meeting agendas and minutes, and ensuring accurate documentation of the Board of Commissioners’ actions. She is also tasked with publishing public notices, certifying legal documents on behalf of the county, and performing a variety of administrative duties for both the Dare County Board of Commissioners and the county manager. 

Additionally, Foley is responsible for managing follow-up on meeting agenda items and actions, serves as the custodian of the official Dare County seal and oversees the board’s departmental budget, playing an essential role in ensuring the efficiency and transparency of Dare County’s operations.

“She has seven commissioners—along with the county manager and departments that she has to respond to—and I can’t tell you how many emails the seven of us get throughout the day,” Woodard continued. “She helps each of us commissioners in responding to those, she reaches out to our lobbyists in Raleigh, communicating with them. She has my itinerary, daily meetings that I have with phone calls, Zoom meetings and meetings outside the county on the behalf of the county. She keeps track of that for myself and my fellow commissioners.”

Skyler Foley stands with her family members who surprised her by attending the presentation.

Woodard also shared that Foley serves as Clerk for the North Carolina Coastal Fisheries Coalition, an organization comprised of more than a dozen counties whose establishment was spearheaded by Woodard last year to protect the livelihoods of the state’s commercial fishermen, preserve coastal heritage and safeguard the economic vitality of working waterfronts. In this role, Foley is responsible for preparing the agendas, as well as the minutes, for the coalition’s meetings, which are typically held quarterly in Carteret County.

“She has to keep track of that, communicating with each one of those county chairmen and the person that represents that county on [the coalition],” said Woodard. “I can go on and on, but I cannot emphasize enough how this young lady has stepped into the role and just run with it. So, Skyler, please know how much this board appreciates you and the work that you do for us.”

Skyler Foley stands with her husband, Josh Crocetti, who surprised her by attending the presentation.

2025 Employee of the Month Recipients

From left to right: Dustin Respass, Mike Kerr, Gordon Price, Tricia Allen, Cara Hanrahan, Nikki Caldwell, Laurie Seal, Jessica Brickey, Skyler Foley and Brooke Atwell-Rusk.

“Thank you all for what you have done to make Dare County a wonderful place to work and live,” said Dare County Human Resources Director Elizabeth Reilly. “You are truly our asset, and we sincerely appreciate you!” 

Congratulations to all of Dare County’s 2025 Employee of the Month recipients, who received their awards as follows.

January 2025:
Nikki Caldwell, Administrative Technician for Dare County EMS

February 2025:
Skyler Foley, Clerk to the Dare County Board of Commissioners 

March 2025:
Laurie Seal, Customer Service Representative for the Dare County Water Department

April 2025:
Melissa Turnage, Social Worker III for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services (Social Services Division)

May 2025:
Cara Hanrahan, Paramedic for Dare County EMS

June 2025:
Tricia Allen, Branch Manager for the Kill Devil Hills Library 

July 2025:
Gordon Price, Facility Maintenance Supervisor for Dare County Public Works

August 2025:
Jessica Brickey, Foster Care Social Worker (Social Worker IV) for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services (Social Services Division)

September 2025:
Brooke Atwell-Rusk, Dare County EMS Lieutenant

October 2025:
Mike Kerr, Systems Administrator for the Dare County Information Technology (IT) Department

November 2025:
Dustin Respass, Field Distribution Supervisor for the Dare County Water Department 

December 2025:
Laura Kistler-Brown, In-Home Social Worker for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services (Child Protective Services Unit - Social Services Division)