Mayor's Youth Employment Program Seeks Small Business Participation

The Mayor's Youth Employment Program (MYEP) was launched in 1986 as a
means for the City of Charlotte to provide meaningful employment
opportunities for youth. The program partners with community
organizations that refer students, ages 16-18 to be placed with host
employers from the public and private sector.

The MYEP is located in the City's Economic Development Office (EDO), a
division which also manages the Small Business Opportunity (SBO)
Program. As we move into another year in which we face certain
economic challenges, the City continues to work fervently to offer
opportunities for our community to progress and grow. One such
opportunity is the Mayor's Youth Employment and SBO Program. This
partnership will offer City-certified Small Business Enterprises
(SBEs) an opportunity to hire MYEP participants through a City funded
internship, allowing our youth to gain a greater understanding of
career demands and develop skill sets to compete in today's global
economy.
The MYEP, SBO collaboration, will both promote and support small
businesses and youth development. The MYEP will provide a $1200
subsidy to youth working with partnering SBEs. Subsidy requirements
are listed as follows:

· Youth participants must work with SBEs for a 6-week
internship from June-August (City funded)

· SBEs must be willing to employ youth participants for 2
weeks prior to the start of the City funded internship (at SBEs expense)

· Interns must be paid at a rate of $8 per hour

· Participants must work a minimum of 20 hours a week

SBE Host Employer Partnership

As an SBE youth employer, the SBE firm will receive:

· A pre-screened intern who has completed a job skills
training course, background test/drug screening

· Direct support and monitoring of the intern through regular
communications with program staff

· Increased productivity from having interns employed in
meaningful task and project work

· Community recognition

· FREE assistance from a motivated, committed youth

SBE Host Employer Requirements

SBEs are required to attend an orientation breakfast meeting with
Mayor Foxx prior to the start of the program. The SBE must identify a
supervisor who will be able to devote significant time to mentor the
intern, provide a clear job description for the intern and provide the
intern with an orientation and any specialized training required.

SBEs who are interested in becoming host employers must complete an
employer registration form and provide a detailed letter summarizing
your employment needs, along with an outline that includes the job
framework for the youth participant. Contact the Mayor's Youth
Employment Program to request an application for an intern.
Applications and must be completed and returned to the Economic
Development Office by May 30, 2010.

Economic Development and MYEP staff will match SBEs with youth
participants according to the career interest of the youth and the
needs of the SBE host employer.

MYEP Interns

All youth who are interested in participating in the MYEP must be a
Charlotte Mecklenburg high school student 16-18 years of age; referred
by one of our community partners. Youth must show that they are
motivated, demonstrate work experience or extracurricular activities;
provide a professional/personal reference; and be able to articulate
their chosen career interest in a short 500 word essay.
For more information or to apply for the program contact:

Dawn M. Hill

Mayor's Youth Employment Program

704.336.4445 or dmhill@charlottenc.gov.

Board of Education examines budget-cutting options

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education held a work session on
the budget March 30, with two major areas of discussion. District
staff announced a plan to reorganize the learning communities for next
year and asked for guidance on eight budget-cutting opportunities.

Final budget numbers for the district are not yet available, but CMS
has set a target amount for reductions in the 2010-2011 budget of
$73.6 million, the superintendent and chief financial officer said.

"This number includes an assumption – and right now, that's all it is
– that our county cut will be 6.5 percent and our state reduction will
be 4 percent, " Dr. Peter C. Gorman told the Board.

Ann Clark, the district's chief academic officer, presented a plan for
the learning communities that will create five zones, instead of the
current six geographic areas and the Achievement Zone. The plan will
reduce learning community staffing from 55 positions to 30, with a
total expected savings of $3.6 million.

Clark said that the district's Title I department will be reorganized
to provide supplemental support to Title I schools in alignment with
the zones.

The new zones and their area superintendents are: Northeast Zone to be
led by Scott Muri; East Zone, led by Joel Ritchie; Southwest Zone, led
by Monique Gardner-Witherspoon; Central Elementary Zone, led by Tyler
Ream and Central Secondary Zone, led by Curtis Carroll.

Under the reorganization, which takes effect July 1, the Title I
department will support the Central Elementary and Secondary zones.
Metro and Morgan schools will continue to be supervised by Dr. Jane
Rhyne. The district's pre-kindergarten centers will be assigned to
the Central Elementary Zone and will be supervised by Ream.

District staff also reviewed the most recent budget scenarios with the
Board.

"As of now, we have identified $66.7 million in cuts, so we need to
find another $6.9 million," Gorman said. "We are asking Board members
to tell us whether they would support any of eight different cost-
cutting measures."

The first option discussed was cutting CMS-TV, the district's
television station, entirely. The Board asked for more information and
directed staff to continue research on possible partnerships with the
county and the city for a shared broadcast operation, as well as data
about CMS TV viewership. Board Chair Eric C. Davis, who represents
District 5, said he would also discuss it with the city and county.

A second option was a two-day furlough for all employees. The Board
directed staff to pursue the possibility of a furlough aggressively
with the North Carolina legislature. At present, the district does not
have the authority to issue a furlough.

A third option was delaying the opening of two new high schools next
year, Mint Hill High and W. A. Hough High. The Board did not support
this option.

A fourth option was the addition of shuttle stops for elementary
students who attend a magnet school. Citing concerns with student
safety, the Board did not support this option.

A fifth option was closing some schools. The Board did not support
this option, although some members noted that this was an issue that
could be examined later.

A sixth option was reducing the formula used for weighted student
staffing, which directs extra resources and staff to schools with high
numbers of students in poverty or who are learning English. The Board
did not support lowering the number used for weighted-student staffing.

A seventh option was additional staff reductions, to be accomplished
by increasing the number of students per classroom, lowering the
number of teachers and other staff needed. The Board did not support
this option.

Finally, the Board discussed salary reductions. District
staff advised the Board that such reductions raise legal issues. If
the cuts are made for every employee, some CMS employees will fall
below the state-required minimum wage. The number of such employees
rises as the percentage of the cut increases. The Board did not
support this option.

"The dollars are getting harder to find," Dr. Gorman told the Board,
echoing an earlier comment by a Board member that the last $7 million
in cuts for next year will be more painful than the first $70 million.

Upcoming speaker at Davidson will explain lure of the media

One of the nation's leading scholars in media and communication
studies, Jennings F. Bryant, will present the annual McGaw Lecture at
his alma mater, Davidson College, on Tuesday evening, April 13.

There is no charge to attend the talk, titled "Why Did I Just Watch
That?" which begins at 7 p.m. in Duke Family Performance Hall. For
more information call 704-894-2445.

Bryant is the Distinguished Research Professor and Associate Dean of
the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the
University of Alabama, and Director of its Institute for Communication
Research.

In his talk at Davidson, Bryant will combine research findings with
theoretical concepts from Aristotle, Freud and recent communication
and cognitive psychology to explain the appeal of traditional and new
types of media. He will also indicate some relatively unknown
rationales for "guilty pleasures" in the entertainment arena.

Bryant, a 1967 Davidson graduate, earned a Master of Divinity degree
in Communications and Counseling summa cum laude from the Louisville
Theological Seminary. He received his Ph.D. in Mass Communication,
again summa cum laude, from Indiana University.

A prolific and distinguished scholar who has published more than 200
articles in leading journals, he was instrumental in the formative
stages of the Children's Television Workshop and Sesame Street. He
served as President of the International Communication Association and
has been named a Distinguished Scholar of the Broadcast Education
Association. A superb and lively public speaker, he has won several
teaching awards, including this year's Burnum Distinguished Faculty
Award from the University of Alabama.

His varied background allows him to bring valuable professional
experience into the classroom. In his younger years, he was a Spencer
Fellow at Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) where
he worked on Sesame Street and The Electric Company. He wrote for
children's television programs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He also
founded and sold two companies that produced specialty television
programs, and through the years served as a consultant to more than 45
major media companies.
From 1990 through August 2004, under Bryant's leadership the
University of Alabama's Institute for Communication Research worked
with federal and state agencies, foundations, and more than 60
corporate clients and performed about $8 million in studies to help
them address a wide range of communication issues and problems. The
institute presented more than 200 reports to clients including the
United States Department of Education on the TI-IN United Star
Network, to Lawrence Erlbaum Associates on textbook curriculum
analysis, to the Children's Television Workshop on television violence
issues, to Nick Jr. on the effects of viewing particular programs, and
to Southern Progress Corporation on readership studies.

He conducted a major research project in 1989 funded by the National
Association of Broadcasters about the effects of TV violence on young
viewers, and continues to research on this topic, as well as the
effects of the use of entertainment in educational television. He has
also researched and provided commentary on the commercialization of
children's television and the use of children's programming to sell
goods.

Bryant's contributions in terms of media effects include coediting
with Dolf Zillmann the 2002 volume Media Effects: Advances in Theory
and Research, which is used in mass communication theory classes
worldwide. His 1983 book with Dan Anderson titled Children's
Understanding of Television: Research on Attention and Comprehension
is still one of the most frequently cited books on media and children.
In 2001 Bryant and his daughter Alison wrote the second edition of
Television and the American Family. He continues to be among the most
prolific of scholars, publishing four books during the first half of
2006 alone.

He also coedits a series of scholarly books and advanced textbooks for
the publishing firm of Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, many of which have
won major awards.

His visit to Davidson, which will include a workshop for faculty about
how digital media has altered the way young people think and act, is
sponsored by the college's Public Lectures Committee.

Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for
1,800 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C.
Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has
graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of
the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson
Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the
nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aid packages,
giving all students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Davidson
competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding
Honor Code is central to student life at the college.

Bank of America Completes Installation of Talking ATMs

As part of its long-standing commitment to customers with visual
impairments, Bank of America today announced that every Bank of
America ATM in the country has been equipped with voice-enabled
technology. Visually impaired customers can now access more than
18,000 Bank of America ATMs, the largest network of bank-owned ATMs in
the U.S.

Talking ATMs provide audible instructions in English or Spanish to
persons who cannot view information on an ATM screen. These machines
make it easier for people with visual impairments to withdraw cash,
deposit money and perform other ATM transactions. The ATMs have audio
jacks that deliver spoken instructions privately through standard
headsets to protect the security of users who are blind or have low-
vision.

"Bank of America has long been a leader in understanding the needs of
blind and low-vision banking customers," said Jeff Thom, president of
the California Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the Arlington,
Virginia-based American Council of the Blind. "From talking ATMs, to
accessible online banking, to Braille bank statements, we are proud to
have partnered with Bank of America for almost 15 years."

In 2001, Bank of America was the first bank in the United States to
announce a comprehensive plan to install talking ATMs across the
country. The bank was also the first to make its Web site and online
banking conform to Web accessibility standards.

"Bank of America is pleased to offer talking functionality in over
18,000 ATMs across the country," said Rob Aulebach, ATM Channel
Management executive. "This is just one of many services we continue
to offer to our visually impaired customers. We are proud to offer
innovative solutions at our ATMs so all of our customers have the
control and choice to manage their everyday finances effectively."

In addition to talking ATMs, Bank of America is the first major bank
to equip all of its deposit-accepting ATMs throughout the country with
deposit imaging technology. This technology is now available at 13,800
Bank of America ATMs. Deposit Image ATMs allow customers to feed
checks and cash directly into the ATM slot, eliminating the need to
fill out deposit slips and stuff envelopes. For cash deposits,
customers can deposit up to 40 bills at a time and receive immediate
credit if the transaction is made on a business day by 8 p.m., subject
to certain exceptions explained in our account agreements. Deposit
Image ATMs calculate deposits automatically and display information on-
screen or via audio for verification.

To locate a Bank of America ATM, visit www.bankofamerica.com.

California Council of the Blind

California Council of the Blind is a state-wide consumer-based
advocacy organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired
Americans. CCB and its members are dedicated to improving the quality
of life, equality of opportunity and independence of all people who
have visual impairments. CCB has a long history of commitment to the
advancement of policies and programs which will enhance independence
for people who are blind and visually impaired. CCB has been working
with Bank of America for nearly fifteen years on issues of banking
accessibility, and issued its first press release about Bank of
America Talking ATMs in 2000. More information about CCB and about
Talking ATMs can be found by visiting www.ccbnet.org and http://lflegal.com/category/talking-atms/

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions,
serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and
large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset
management and other financial and risk management products and
services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United
States, serving approximately 59 million consumer and small business
relationships with 6,000 retail banking offices, more than 18,000 ATMs
and award-winning online banking with nearly 30 million active users.
Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management
companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking
and trading across a broad range of asset classes serving
corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the
world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to more than 4
million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-
use online products and services. The company serves clients in more
than 150 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a
component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange.

LUNCH & LEARN ADDRESSES HOUSING FOR VICTIMS

Next Tuesday's free domestic violence Lunch and Learn program, Housing
Services for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence, will explore
how Mecklenburg County is addressing shelter and housing needs of
domestic violence victims and survivors.

Panelists include Deronda Metz with Salvation Army's Center of Hope,
Kelly Forney with United Family Services' Shelter for Battered Women,
Erin Concelman with Mecklenburg County's Community Support Services'
Women's Commission DV Transitional Housing Program and Rebecca Stickel
with the YMCA's Women In Transition & Families Together program.

Certificates of Completion will be provided.

The program is presented by Mecklenburg County Community Support
Services Women's Commission and its partners on the Domestic Violence
Advocacy Council (DVAC). Participants are encouraged to bring their
lunch.

When: Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hal Marshall Building, 700 North Tryon Street,
Charlotte, NC 28202
Auditorium 1

Please note the new location is Mecklenburg County's Hal Marshall
Building at 700 North Tryon Street. Free parking is available in the
main parking lot and in the College Street overflow lot. A free
trolley runs the length of Tryon Street every seven minutes from
center city.

These free monthly seminars are open to the public and are held on the
first Tuesday of each month. Representatives from local help agencies
serve as presenters. The DVAC will continue to organize these
workshops as an ongoing effort to broaden the public's awareness of
the issues surrounding domestic violence. For more information on this
ongoing series and other events, go to http://dvaccharlotte.com.

For more information on the effects of domestic violence in our
community, call Community Support Services at (704) 432-SAFE (7233),
CSSWomen's Commission at (704) 336-3210, or United Family Services'
Shelter for Battered Women 24-hour hot line at (704) 332-2513.

Northwest School of the Arts needs instruments, donations

Northwest School of the Arts (NWSA), an arts magnet in Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools, will begin a drive April 1 to collect gently used
or new musical instruments for students at the school who cannot
afford them. The school's instrument drive, called "Recycle the Gift
of Music," will end May 5.

At present, students must rent or buy instruments from area music
stores in order to participate in the band or orchestra. There are
students at the school who want to participate, but cannot because
their parents can't afford instruments and the school does not have an
extra supply. The school needs financial resources to purchase new
instruments or to fix those that are damaged, so NWSA is also seeking
financial donations during the drive.

Dr. Barry Bowe, the principal at NWSA, says he's looking forward to
the day when his school has enough instruments so that every child can
participate.

"It's terribly sad to see students turned away because their parents
can't afford to rent or purchase an instrument and we can't provide
them with one," said Dr. Bowe. "I want every student to have the
opportunity to experience the gift of music."
Dr. Bowe believes being 'green' can also apply to recycling instruments.

"As we look at ways to conserve resources, recycle and reuse goods,
donating an instrument is also a smart and worthy investment in our
future."

The school needs stringed, wind and percussion instruments. Each costs
about $600, and it costs $200 to repair a damaged instrument. Last
year, NWSA received a $10,000 donation from Fidelity Bank to purchase
larger instruments, such as tubas, cellos and string basses. NWSA
music teachers Michael Sanders and Felicia Sink say that the donation
has already made a difference, and even more students will be helped
by the instrument drive.

"I began playing the violin in the fourth grade and my first early
experiences in the orchestra fostered a passion for music that has
enriched my life," said Sink, who is the orchestra teacher at the
school. "Every interested child should have the opportunity to
discover the joy of music."

New and gently used instruments or financial donations can be brought
to the school (1415 Beatties Ford Rd.) or the CMS Central Learning
Community (324 N. McDowell St.) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.
until 3 p.m. All donations are tax-deductible and checks should be
made payable to Friends of Northwest.

The school will partner with several local music-related businesses
and arts organizations during the instrument drive. The public may
call 980-343-5500 or e-mail laurae.mapstead@cms.k12.nc.us for more
information.

Dr. Bowe knows first-hand the importance of music education. He says
music changed his life.

"Playing my father's trumpet taught me to appreciate and love music.
Music education is sound learning," said Dr. Bowe. "I know the people
of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are generous, and NWSA is grateful
for and appreciative of their kindness and support to help our kids
learn."

Northwest School of the Arts, a county-wide visual and performing arts
magnet school in CMS, has a strong academically-focus curriculum while
encouraging students to develop special talents and passion for
creative and visual arts, theatre, music and dance. More than 1,200
students in grades six through 12 attend NWSA. Of those students,
currently 350 participate in the band or orchestra. Click here for the
school's Web site.

Opera Carolina and Community School of the Arts Partner to Launch Music-Drama Workshop for Young Artists

Opera Carolina and Community School of the Arts announce a unique
educational opportunity for young singing actors in the Charlotte
region. This summer, they will host a week-long, music-drama workshop
featuring hands-on instruction, coaching and training by professional
artists highlighted by three special Master Classes conducted by
internationally recognized opera stars.
Opera Carolina Academy - 2010 Music-Drama Summer Workshop – to be held
at Spirit Square, June 21-25 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – is open to
students who have completed grades 6-8 or grades 9-12. The next
auditions for the workshop are on Sat., May 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
and from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Space
is limited and students must register for an audition at
www.csarts.org by Wed., April 30.

Students are not required to have prior private artistic instruction
but the comprehensive curriculum is geared toward individuals with a
strong desire to pursue a high level of music-drama training and a
propensity to achieve goals and exceed expectations.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide professional instruction to
young people in our region and to partner with Community School of the
Arts." said James Meena, General Director and Principal Conductor.
"This is an exciting opportunity for aspiring young artists to work
first-hand with exceptionally gifted opera artists who bring a wealth
of knowledge and experience from their years of performing on the
world's great stages. Opera Carolina is committed to creating
exciting, high quality professional educational opportunities for
young people."

About the Curriculum

The Music-Drama curriculum will include instruction in
stage combat, stagecraft skills, theater exercises and games, musical
interpretation, orchestral improvisation and movement. The vocal
instruction curriculum will include basic training in proper
breathing, laryngeal positioning and relaxation, practice exercises
and tactics, diction, song interpretation and care of the voice. All
vocal study is geared to the healthy production of acoustic solo
singing. In addition to regular class instruction, students may also
qualify (if they choose) to participate in master classes with
internationally recognized opera stars.

About Opera Carolina

Founded in 1948 as the Charlotte Opera Association by a small group of
volunteers, today Opera Carolina is the largest professional opera
company in the Carolinas with an operating budget of over $3.3 million
for the fiscal year 2009. The mission of Opera Carolina is to inspire
the region's diverse community through the presentation of excellent
Opera, Operetta, and Education & Outreach programs that elevate the
quality of life in the Carolinas. Opera Carolina is a community
resource with a commitment to artistic excellence and community service.

Opera Carolina is supported by the Arts & Science Council-Charlotte/
Mecklenburg and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by
the state of North Carolina, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Opera Carolina is a member of OPERA America.

About Community School of the Arts

Founded in 1969, Community School of the Arts provides
music and visual arts programs to more than 2,000 students each
year. Through music lessons, art classes, summer camps and extensive
outreach programs at more than a dozen Mecklenburg County studios, the
School fulfills its mission to transform lives and inspire community
through outstanding, accessible arts education.

Community School of the Arts is supported by the Arts & Science
Council of Charlotte/Mecklenburg and the North Carolina Arts Council,
an agency funded by the state of North Carolina.

Randolph OB/GYN Opens New Office In Uptown Charlotte’s EpiCentre

Randolph OB/GYN, one of Charlotte's most experienced obstetrics and
gynecology practices, has opened a new third location in the EpiCentre
in uptown Charlotte.

They will share space with First Charlotte Physicians on the second
level (Suite D-230) of the EpiCentre complex, built on the site of the
former Charlotte Civic Center. The location is at the southeast corner
of the complex, at the intersection of East Fourth Street and the
College.

"We are attracting an increasing number of patients who work and live
uptown, and now are coming to our main office at 2711 Randolph Road,"
said Dr. John McNamara, a partner in the practice. "This new location
will be much more convenient for them, and we hope to attract other
patients in the uptown area as well."

This will be Randolph OB/GYN's second satellite office. The first one
at 18515 Statesville Road in Cornelius opened in 2000. Dr. Cathryn
Crosland, who joined the practice in 2009, is now the primary
practitioner there, and others in the eight-physician practice also
work in Cornelius at scheduled times.

Randolph OB/GYN was founded in 1976 in its Randolph Road location and
currently serves thousands of patients in the greater Charlotte area.
Personal attention and caring for each individual is one of the
practice's core values. More information at www.RandolphOBGYN.com.

MECKLENBURG CODE ENFORCEMENT CUTS 45 POSITIONS AMID DECLINE IN PERMIT REVENUE

Because of a significant decrease in permits resulting in revenue that
is 33 percent below projected levels for fiscal year 2010, Mecklenburg
County Code Enforcement has notified its employees that 45 full-time
positions will be eliminated, reducing the department's staff from 175
to 130.

The staff members who are affected by this reduction in force –
including inspectors, plan reviewers and administrative personnel –
were notified this week. Their last day of work will be May 4.

These cuts reflect a long-term drop in construction in Mecklenburg
County. In fiscal year 2007 (the 12-month period from July 2006
through June 2007), Code Enforcement performed more than 372,000
inspections on construction valued at more than $4.5 billion. Since
then, the number of inspections has decreased significantly. In fiscal
year 2009, 225,000 inspections were performed on construction valued
at $2.7 billion. During the first half of this fiscal year, which
started July 2009, only 90,845 inspections were performed.
Construction value is now down 67 percent, and permit value down 59
percent, from 2007.

Code Enforcement is a fee-funded agency, which means it relies largely
on income from fees for the services it provides to fund department
operations. Director James N. Bartl said the reduction in force is a
drastic but essential measure in order for the department to balance
its budget.

"We're only doing this because it's absolutely necessary," Bartl said.
"These are productive and highly skilled staff. I greatly regret that
it's come to this."

Mecklenburg County Human Resources is offering transition services for
the affected employees, including resume and job-search assistance.
The County also provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help
employees and their family members cope amid loss and change.

The reduction in staff should not affect the quality of service the
department offers. The staff cuts mirror the drop in business.
Inspection response times have remained rapid amid the changes in the
department over the past few years, including a department
reorganization that is under way this spring. Moreover, Code
Enforcement's technological advances have streamlined the permitting
and plan review processes, making them faster and more efficient for
customer service staff as well as customers.

For more information on Code Enforcement's services, go to www.meckpermit.com
.

Follow Code Enforcement on Twitter at www.twitter.com/meckpermit.

COUNTY MANAGER NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AUDIT

Mecklenburg County will have a new director of Internal Audit
beginning next month. Joanne Prakapas has been hired by County Manager
Harry L. Jones, Sr. for the position. She will begin work on April 7.

She comes to Charlotte from Phoenix, Arizona, where she was chief
internal auditor of the Arizona Department of Revenue. She previously
served as senior internal auditor for the Automotive Club of Michigan
in Dearborn, and auditor/analyst for the Arizona Office of the Auditor
General, in Phoenix.

Prakapas holds a Master of Science in Accounting and Bachelor of
Business Administration in Finance from Eastern Michigan University.
She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor
(CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and is also Certified in
Financial Forensics (CFF).

Prakapas will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing and
controlling the internal audit and appraisal function for Mecklenburg
County. The Internal Audit Department performs operational, financial-
related and information systems audits designed to furnish the Board
of County Commissioners and management with independent assessments of
departmental operations and recommendations that strengthen the
County's risk management and fiscal control processes.

Mecklenburg County's Internal Audit department has a staff of five and
budget of more than $500,000. Although Jones is projecting
significant cuts elsewhere in the organization next fiscal year, he is
recommending that Internal Audit department's staffing be increased by
three positions. Prakapas will be responsible for establishing and
implementing this new staffing plan. Her experience includes creating
a new audit division in the Arizona Office of the Auditor General and
a new internal audit unit for the Arizona Department of Revenue.

"Ms. Prakapas has exceptional knowledge and experience to lead our
internal audit function and enhance its capacity and capabilities,"
said Jones.