Clayton’s Shaun Mizell Earns Prestigious Recognition for Procurement Excellence
The Town of Clayton is celebrating an incredible achievement by Shaun Mizell, who leads the Procurement Division of the Town’s Finance Department.
Mizell is the recipient of the 2025 Hall-Wicker Award from the North Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing (NCAGP). This award is one of the highest honors in public procurement, given to professionals who show outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to the field.
He received this recognition during the NCAGP Spring Conference last month. The award, established in 1996, honors the legacy of two leaders in government purchasing, W.T. “Tom” Hall, Jr. and Warren “Jake” Wicker. Both men helped shape modern purchasing practices and devoted their careers to improving procurement processes across North Carolina.
“Procurement is more than just making purchases. It is about stewardship, fairness, and building a better future,” Mizell said. “Receiving this award is an honor, but the real reward is knowing that our work is making a difference in Clayton.”
The Procurement Division under Mizell’s leadership plays an important role in the Town of Clayton’s success. He makes sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, businesses have equal opportunities to compete for contracts, and all purchases follow the law. Mizell’s focus extends beyond numbers. He is dedicated to building partnerships, fostering opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses, and making sure every purchase benefits the community.
Mizell, serves as the Procurement, Contracts, and Minority, Women, and Business Enterprises (MWBE) Manager. In this role he leads the Procurement Division and supports all Town departments by securing the best resources, managing contracts, and overseeing the construction bidding process. He and his team also run the MWBE Outreach Program, which encourages local small businesses to participate in Town projects. His efforts help strengthen Clayton’s economy and create a fair, competitive process for vendors.
Mizell’s impact reaches beyond his team. His leadership and vision have set a high standard for government purchasing, and his passion for responsible financial management has earned respect across the state. Finance Director Robert McKie praised Mizell’s dedication, noting that his work has had a lasting impact on both the Town of Clayton and the broader public procurement community.
“Shaun’s expertise has been instrumental in transforming the Town’s procurement process,” said McKie. “His ability to build lasting partnerships and open doors for local businesses has created real, positive change in Clayton. His efforts also resonate within the broader procurement community where his approach to promoting collaboration and innovation serves as a model for others to follow.”
Since 1952, NCAGP has supported procurement professionals through education, networking, and advocacy. The Hall-Wicker Award is presented annually to honor those who make exceptional contributions to the field. Mizell’s commitment earned him this prestigious award, which includes a plaque and a $200 prize.
