Greg and his wife Candace have been married since 1989. They have two children, son Hunter and daughter Jordan. Greg spent 30 years with the North Carolina Highway Patrol before his retirement in 2013.
Greg was born in Denton, NC in 1962. He was cared for by his grandmother Ms. Bertha Cranford for the first 12 years of his life. At that point, Greg moved in with a close family member - Blenda Skeen - who had two children close in age with Greg. Ms. Skeen accepted Greg into their family at a very vulnerable time in his life. Upon graduation from Denton High School, he continued his education at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC where he studied Business Administration and played football for the Quakers. After leaving college, Greg applied with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and was accepted into the 76th Basic School. After graduation, he spent 11 years in Guilford County before transferring to Randolph County. He married his wife, Candace and started a family in 1989.
Greg was selected to be a field training officer early in his career as a Trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. This enabled him to act as a supervisor to the many officers he trained throughout his career. He served as a precision and defensive driving instructor at the North Carolina Highway Patrol Training Academy in Garner, NC from 1994 until 2013. He also had the privilege of teaching Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Randolph County Emergency Services Facility in Asheboro, NC. Greg was also selected to represent Troop D as a trained facilitator and complete Quality Management coursework.
In 2003, Greg volunteered to work a permanent third shift in order to coach football at a local high school. He was the only trooper working Randolph County past midnight each night. This gave him the opportunity to work with deputies with the Randolph County Sheriff's Office and he became aware of the workings and needs of the agency. Greg assisted the sheriff's office on calls and worked closely with deputies throughout his shift. "I know how important it is to have a good working relationship with other law enforcement entities throughout the county."
In 1999, Greg organized and created Operation Red Sleigh, Inc. to help Randolph County's under-privileged children and their families at Christmas time. Volunteers throughout Randolph County help with preparing and serving meals during the Christmas program. After being brought up in a household with a limited income, Greg understood the importance of helping those who are less fortunate in the holiday season. The program continues to grow each year has helped over 7,000 children since its existence. The main fund-raiser is annual July bicycle ride that begins and ends in Randolph County.
Awards & Accomplishments
2006
- Meritorious Service Award from the Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety
- Humanitarian Award from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol
- Meritorious Service Award from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol
- District 6 Employee Of The Year in Randolph County
2007
- Spirit of Chicamonico Life Saving Award for community service through the use of God. This award was presented to Greg by the Superintendent of Wesleyan Churches in North Carolina
2008
- Award of Valor from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol
- Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety Gold Circle Award
- Heroism Award from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol
2009
- National Trooper Of The Year Award, which recognized Greg nationally for his life saving efforts and community assistance in Randolph County. Since the existence of the North Carolina patrol in 1929, no other North Carolina Trooper has ever received this award
- Woodmen of the World Life Saver Award
- District 6 Trooper Of The Year, which was voted on by his peers
2013
- The (Trooper D.R. Bowick) Trooper Of The Year Award awarded by his peers for outstanding dedication, selfless service, and leadership to the NCSHP Troop D and community
2014
- Long Leaf Pine Award for 30 years of service with the State of North Carolina.
- Woodman of the World Community Leadership Award