SANFORD - The National Association of Educational Procurement has honored Starlene Jackson, purchasing agent for Central Carolina Community College, with its 2009 Distinguished Service Award.

The award, given for “extraordinary service,” was presented at the NAEP’s annual meeting, held April 22 in Providence, R.I. The NAEP is an association of 4,000 purchasing staff in colleges, universities, research institutions, hospitals, and K-12 schools.

“I feel extremely humbled and very honored to have been chosen by my peers for this award,” Jackson said. “There are many, many people I know who are very deserving of this award.”

Jackson grew up in Statesville, but has lived in Sanford since 1970. She started working at Central Carolina in 1988 and has been the purchasing agent since 1990.

“I found my niche as the purchasing agent,” she said. “I really like to make people happy by getting them the things they need to do their jobs better.”

Jackson joined the NAEP in 1998 and immediately began serving as the secretary of the Carolinas Region. Since then, she has served two terms as a regional president, from 2001-03. She served on the national board of directors from 2006 to 2008, representing District III, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. She has also served on several national committees and was co-chair of the membership committee for 2008-09.

Jackson is married to Gerald Jackson, a retired BB&T executive. The couple has two children and eight grandchildren.