Ronald Penny has long been a steady hand in state government, and he’s been leading the N.C. Department of Revenue since Gov. Roy Cooper took office in 2017. But just who is the veteran attorney whose signature appears on our tax refunds? Here’s what he told us;
What are some of the past jobs you’ve held outside of state government?
-Tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration, North Carolina Central University
-Chair, Department of Public Administration, North Carolina Central University
-Adjunct Professor Lundy-Fetterman School of Business – Campbell University
-Vice President for Human Resources for the University of North Carolina System
-Senior Managing Partner in Penny & Barnes
-General Counsel to the Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University and
-Attorney for E.I. DuPont Corporation in Delaware (Environmental Division).
What lessons from those roles have you applied to your current position? All organizations must have a clearly articulated vision and mission. Senior leaders must reinforce that mission and vision in multiple ways to reach internal and external stakeholders and provide:
-Strategic leadership to position the organization to adapt to environmental restructuring and maintain organizational focus
-Tactical leadership to recognize and navigate relevant environmental trends
-Servant leadership for the health of all stakeholders
“When given the choice between the high road or low road, always take the high road.” -Chancellor Marion D. Thorpe, Sr., Elizabeth City University
An organization’s most valuable assets go home at the end of the workday, act like it.
What’s the most common misconception about your agency? People often think that the NC Department of Revenue and the United States Internal Revenue Service are the same agency. The IRS is a federal agency that has no authority over the North Carolina Department of Revenue, which is a state agency. Correspondingly, NCDOR generally is unable to address issues that taxpayers may have with our federal counterparts.
People think work slows down after April 15; it doesn’t. NCDOR administers 23 different types of tax as established by the NC General Assembly from illegal drug tax, sales tax, corporate tax, income tax, etc. Tax deadlines fall throughout the year. NCDOR collected on average $155.4 million per day last year; totaling $39 billion.
Who do you most admire, and why?
-My parents – during times that were very different from those we live in today, they taught me through words and actions values and the importance of letting those values inform your daily and strategic decision making.
-E.V. Wilkins – a leader and community educator that demonstrated the importance of building communities with diverse interests and developing social capital as we serve the public.
-Carolyn Coleman – a dynamic leader and community organizer who with mature judgment consistently demonstrated the words of Nelson Mandela, “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
-Former NC Gov. Jim Hunt – fueled by the power of focused compassion for all, he demonstrated a keen understanding of all the people of North Carolina with a clear vision and direction for the future of our state. With “Rock Ridge” words, he could ignite his passion in you.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about how to get things done in state government? “Always tell the truth and when you are wrong, and inevitably you will be wrong, remember a good apology is better than a bad stand any day.” -Lt. Col Leon J. Penny
Where did you grow up? I am the son of an Army officer. I attended at least five schools by the time I finished the second grade. However, most of my life has been spent in the Triangle area. I would consider myself a product of southeast Raleigh, having attended, Hunter Elementary School, Carnage Middle School, and formerly Ligon High School.
But I stand by statements I have made that I learned the basics in the Raleigh Public Schools System; I learned economics and finance at North Carolina A&T State University; I learned law at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; and I learned how to use it all at Elizabeth City State. I am a true son of this state.
Where do you most enjoy taking an out-of-town visitor in your hometown? I most enjoy our local greenways. For most of the year, our weather is splendid, at some point during each day. Our greenways showcase our state’s natural features and cultural diversity. They provide a chance to exercise and be enriched by the natural beauty of our state.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work? I most enjoy family activities including debating current events, and cycling on the Raleigh greenways.