“More than a job, it’s about the people” Chantel Thompson Honored with Prestigious Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Award

The City of Concord named Chantel Thompson the 2026 Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Award honoree - the highest award presented to a City of Concord employee. Thompson was honored for her heartfelt service to the community and coworkers, and nearly two decades of exemplary leadership with the City of Concord.

Concord City Manager Lloyd Payne presented the award to Thompson during the September 10, 2026, City Council meeting, where she was joined by her husband Titus Thompson, her daughter Aubrey Thompson, her father, Ricky Balknight, Sr., and a host of family and friends.

"Chantel doesn't just talk about the City of Concord's core values of accountability, communication, and teamwork, she lives them. She proves each day that these values aren't just words printed on paper but standards we can actively carry into our daily work," said Payne.

Thompson is the Director of Human Resources and has worked with the City for 16 years. At the heart of her work is a commitment to servant leadership and making a meaningful difference in the community she proudly calls home. She is known throughout the organization as a compassionate, approachable, honest, and trustworthy coworker who is both principled and fair, and always willing to help others.

Recognizing a gap in the City's leadership pipeline, she spearheaded a new training and enrichment program to help staff with no prior supervisory experience gain the skills necessary to advance in the careers and service to the community.

Her commitment to service extends far beyond her daily responsibilities to the organization. She is known throughout Cabarrus County as a "go-to" person whenever a need arises. From organizing food drives, coat drives, and litter cleanups, to extending vital health resources to underserved communities, Thompson actively works to enhance the quality of life in Concord.

Reflecting on the extensive reach of Thompson's service, City Manager Payne shared what makes her impact so meaningful is that she never seeks the spotlight or recognition.

"She serves purely out of a deep belief in people," said Payne. "She treats others with respect, anchors difficult conversations with fairness, and chooses service over convenience each and every time."

Upon accepting the award, Thompson broke a personal rule: no crying at work.

Fighting back tears, and true to her nature, on an evening intended to shine a spotlight on her service, she reflected it back on her coworkers - all the members of Team Concord who work hard together every day to support and serve the community.

"We do a lot of work here at the City, and our City Manager never lets us ever forget that we get to come to do this work, we don't have to come to do it. No matter how hard the days are, we don't forget what we're here for, and we're here to support the people.

Public service has always been about more than a job; it's about the people we have the opportunity impact," said Thompson.

Receiving the Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Award was especially meaningful to Thompson who had the privilege of knowing Jo through the community.

"I know firsthand that her legacy was about more than doing a job well, it was about serving people with heart, compassion, and a genuine commitment to making our community better. To receive an award that bears her name, and that represents heartfelt service to others and dedication to the City's core values, is one of the greatest honors of my career," said Thompson. "I am truly honored to carry forward Jo's legacy of service and servant leadership in a community that means so much to me."

Thompson is a lifelong member of the Concord community and has built her career serving the community that helped shape her.

She is a graduate of Concord High School and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She holds the SHRM-CP and PSHRA-SCP professional certifications and is a certified emotional intelligence executive coach and trainer.

Her commitment to service is reflected in numerous community and professional leadership roles. She has served as President of Cabarrus Regional SHRM; President of the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County Board of Directors, where she made history as the organization's first African American Female Board President; Vice President and Programs Chair of the Lambda Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; and she currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Barber-Scotia College. She also is a charter member of the Carolina Pines Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Background

The Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Award was created in 2003 to annually recognize a City employee who embodies the City's core values of Accountability, Communication, and Teamwork, and who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to serving others. Jo Atwater was the City of Concord Human Resources Director and worked for the City from 1994 until her passing in 2004. She was the first recipient of the award that was named in her honor.

Chantel Thompson, 2026 Jo Atwater Continuous Core Values Award Honoree