National Conference of State Legislatures Presents Staff Achievement Awards

Nineteen state legislative staffers or divisions have been honored by members of the National Conference of State Legislatures for their dedication to legislative institutions. NCSL's 10 staff sections and staff network, national associations of state workers who serve in similar capacities across the country, chose the 2008 recipients of the Legislative Staff Achievement Awards. Each staff section named at least one recipient.

"Staff members who receive this award have shown excellence in supporting the work of their state legislature and in strengthening the legislative institution," said NCSL Staff Chair Gary VanLandingham. "Winners of the Legislative Staff Achievement Awards represent the best of state legislative staff in America today."

Award recipients were announced last Thursday, at NCSL's 2008 Legislative Summit in New Orleans. They are listed below under their member staff sections.

National Association of Legislative Information Technology

• Gary Wieman, network manager, Legislative Technology Center, Nebraska
• Hawaii House Technology Support Office

 NCSL Standing Committees -- Staff Chair's Awards

• Marti Harkness, staff director, Criminal Justice policy area, Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, Florida Legislature
• Terrence Sullivan, director of research (retired), North Carolina General Assembly

American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries

• Susan Clarke Schaar, clerk of the Virginia Senate
• Jeannine Wood, secretary of the Idaho Senate

Leadership Staff Section

• Nancy Butcher, administrative assistant, Committee on Finance, House of Delegates, West Virginia Legislature

Legal Services Staff Section

• Mark Brown, director (retired), Legal Division, Texas Legislative Council
• M. Gay Taylor, general counsel (retired), Utah Legislature

Legislative Education Staff Network

• Kathy Hanlon, Legislative Services Agency, Iowa

Legislative Information and Communications Staff

• Wendy Madsen, Legislative Information Officer, Wyoming Legislative Services Office

Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section

• Susan Gilley, library administrator, Oklahoma Legislature

National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices

• Hadley Johnson, Jr., deputy legislative analyst, California Legislative Analyst's Office
• Property Tax Team, Indiana Legislative Services Agency

National Legislative Program Evaluation Society

• Jim Pellegrini, Montana Legislative Audit Division (retired)
• South Carolina Legislative Audit Council

National Legislative Services and Security Association

• Jimmetta Gourdine Peoples, Senate Security, Alabama State Senate
• Glenda Smith, director, Senate Rules Accounting, California Legislature

Research and Committee Staff Section

• Jamie Jo Franklin, chief of staff, House Majority Caucus, Kentucky
• Terrence Sullivan, director of research (retired), North Carolina General Assembly

Examples of accomplishments recognized by the Legislative Staff Achievement Award include, but are not limited to:

• Helping to improve the effectiveness of the legislative institution
• Supporting the legislative process and the mission of the legislature
• Exhibiting a high degree of professionalism, competence and integrity in serving the legislature and the public
• Contributing to the work of the National Conference of State Legislatures
• Demonstrating expertise in a particular field
• Contributing to existing knowledge.

NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.