Landon Perry and David Barkhau from the NC Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) have been awarded the 2025 Internal Audit Award of Excellence.
Presented annually by the Council of Internal Auditing, the award highlights performance that goes above and beyond expectations. Awardees are recognized for how their dedication, contribution, and innovation furthers internal auditing in North Carolina state government.
“Landon and David are excellent models of how high-caliber internal auditing contributes to stronger government operations,” said Barbara Baldwin, Executive Director of the Council of Internal Auditing. “I am pleased the Council has selected them as this year’s recipients of the Award of Excellence. Their dedication to developing and sharing resources while advancing internal auditing functions strengthens their agency and our profession.”
Landon Perry has been at the forefront of transforming NCDIT’s Office of Internal Audit. He has led the office into conformance with the Institute of Internal Auditors Standards. His efforts have reshaped perceptions of internal auditing from a mechanism of compliance to a key tool in organizational improvement. He has also mentored new auditors and developed audit resources, showcasing his excellent leadership in internal auditing.
David Barkhau spearheaded the redesign of his agency’s risk assessment methodology and incorporated automation for audit follow-ups. This dramatically improved transparency and efficiency. Barkhau’s leadership of complex audits, his willingness to assume additional responsibilities, and his mentorship of junior auditors have helped internal auditing.
The Council of Internal Auditing presented Perry and Barkhau with the Internal Audit Award of Excellence at the Office of the State Controller’s Financial Conference on December 9.
Nominations for the award come from agencies and universities across the state. Only the most outstanding auditors are chosen for this distinction. Winners receive a plaque and a $500 prize, provided by the North Carolina Local Chapters of the Institute of Internal Auditors.