Michael W. Jenkins District 8 Chair
Occupation: Retired, DPS after serving 28.5 years
Counties: Wilkes, Surry, Alleghany, Ashe and Yadkin

How did you become involved in SEANC?
I began working for the Department of Corrections (now DPS) in 1991. At that time, my supervisor strongly encouraged SEANC membership. Once I learned what SEANC was about, I knew it was a good thing and signed up.

What offices have you held in SEANC?
Although I joined SEANC in the early 90s, it was several years before I started attending District 8 meetings. Later, I became a member of the District Scholarship Committee and currently serve as District 8 Chair.

What has been the most rewarding part of being active in SEANC?
Last fall, the western SEANC districts found a way to give gift cards to western Department of Transportation employees who are also actively involved in SEANC. I am proud of the way districts pulled together as a SEANC family to provide support and show their appreciation for these members following the June 2020 DOT employee furlough. Seeing the DOT employees’ reactions after receiving the cards was touching and I felt a lot of joy and satisfaction.

What do you wish everyone knew about SEANC?
I wish state employees and retirees knew that SEANC works hand in hand with state legislators advocating for our rights and benefits. I also wish they realized that with a stronger and larger membership, we would be able to take the amazing work currently being done and magnify it.

Tell us about your family:
I have a daughter who is 26, a son who is 25 and a daughter who is 8. My fiancée Jacqui and I plan to marry later this year.

What are your hobbies?
I’ve always loved to travel but haven’t always had the opportunity to do so. Now that I’ve retired from the state, my job at Food Lion allows me more flexibility to travel. It really suits me. I also enjoy spending time with my family, playing games and cooking dinner together. We love taking our camper to the mountains or the beach.