2015 LEGISLATIVE STAFF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES

The NCSL Legislative Staff Sections and Networks annually present Legislative Staff Achievement Awards to recognize staff excellence in supporting the work of a state legislature and strengthening the legislative institution. Each staff section and network may make two awards, and each decides the criteria for its awards. The staff co-chairs of the NCSL Standing Committees also may name two award recipients. Examples of accomplishments recognized by the Legislative Staff Achievement Awards 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.

2015 RECIPIENTS

American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS) Marilyn Eddins, Chief Clerk, Colorado House of Representatives Norma Chastain, Assistant Chief Clerk, Arizona House of Representatives Leadership Staff Section (LSS) Jennifer Jankowski, Administrative Assistant, Minority Caucus, Utah House of Representatives Naomi Miller, District Director, Speaker Joe Straus, Texas House of Representatives Legal Services Staff Section (LSSS) Richard Taylor Dillard, Senate Attorney, Delaware State Senate Margaret ‘Peggy’ Piety, Senior Staff Attorney, Legislative Services Agency, Indiana General Assembly Legislative Education Staff Network (LESN) Paul Headlee, Deputy Division Manager, Budget & Policy Analysis, Idaho Legislative Services Office Legislative Information and Communications Staff Section (LINCS) Morgan Blanchard, Communications Specialist, Louisiana Senate Jessica Bralish, Communications Director, Senate Democrats, Colorado Senate Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section (LRL) Sabah Eltareb, Assistant Director, California Research Bureau, California State Library Teresa Wilt, Legislative Librarian, Research Library, Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices (NALFO) John W. Rohrer, Coordinator, Fiscal and Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, Maryland General

Assembly Ryan Miller, Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst, Legislative Analyst’s Office, California Legislature National Association of Legislative Information Technology (NALIT) South Carolina Legislative Services Agency Ronda Tentarelli, Applications Support Group Manager, Legislative Service Center, Washington State Legislature National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Max Arinder, Executive Director, Mississippi Joint PEER Committee (Retired), 2015 NLPES Outstanding

Achievement Award New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, 2015 NLPES Excellence in Evaluation Award National Legislative Services and Security Association (NLSSA) Elizabeth “Betsy” Hossenlopp, Senate Nurse, Legislative Health Services Director, South Carolina General

Assembly Tim Flynn, Capitol Nurse Practitioner, Texas State Capitol Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS) Sabrina N. Lewellen, Deputy Director, Assistant Secretary of the Senate, Arkansas Senate Bryant R. Howe, Deputy Director, Legislative Research & General Counsel, Utah Legislature Standing Committees Mary Quaid, Executive Director, House Legislative Services, Louisiana Legislature Roderick N. Welsh, Sergeant at Arms, Texas House of Representatives

American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS)

Marilyn Eddins, Chief Clerk, Colorado House of Representatives The American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries recognizes Marilyn Eddins for her outstanding contributions to the Colorado House of Representatives and her distinguished service to ASLCS and NCSL. Marilyn started her legislative career in 1982 and held the titles of enrolling clerk, journal clerk, docket clerk and assistant chief clerk, before being appointed chief clerk in 2004. Throughout her service, Marilyn also has been an active and ardent supporter of ASLCS, NCSL and of efforts and activities for the enhancement and advancement of the work of state legislatures. Marilyn has served on the ASLCS Executive Committee and as an officer and member of numerous ASLCS standing committees. She has attended countless meetings of ASLCS and NCSL, has served as faculty on numerous topics, has twice hosted participants for the Associate Exchange Program, served on the host committee for the 1997 ASLCS meeting in Vail and the 2002 NCSL Annual Meeting (now the Legislative Summit) in Denver, and is an alumnus of the Legislative Staff Management Institute, class of 1999. Most important, though, is Marilyn's remarkable service to the General Assembly and the citizens of the state of Colorado. During her tenure, Marilyn has served six different Speakers of the House of Representatives and smoothly facilitated three different majority changes. She has been a stalwart resource for five other Colorado nonpartisan legislative agencies who have turned over nine staff directors and she has offered her expertise and advice to five new secretaries of the Colorado Senate. She has done all of this while consistently advocating for and contributing to efforts to ensure the Colorado General Assembly is transparent, efficient, effective, collaborative and accountable to the people it serves. Marilyn is always among the first to share ideas about the positive impact a well-trained and experienced professional legislative staff can make on the work performed by legislatures. She is a tireless advocate for the legislative institution and a resource for her colleagues in statehouses around the country. Humble and deferential, Marilyn will always give credit to others for a job well done without regard for her own commendation. Her enthusiasm for the spirit of public service never wanes and she is a true steward of the legislative institution to which she has dedicated a lifetime of service.

American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS)

Norma Chastain, Assistant Chief Clerk, Arizona House of Representatives

The American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries recognizes Norma Chastain for her outstanding contributions to the Arizona House of Representatives and her distinguished service to ASLCS and NCSL. Norma has worked for the Arizona Legislature–first in the Senate and now in the House of Representatives–for many years and has implemented many changes and improvements to the legislative process. She is well respected by the legislators and staff for her knowledge of the legislature. Norma is hard-working, but also friendly and professional to all that she encounters. She has a great work ethic and enjoys herself while getting the job done. She is reliable and dedicated to the legislative institution as a whole. Norma is also well-respected for her devotion to ALSCS. She ably performed during her years on the Executive Committee. She has served as the chair of many committees, including Program, Membership and Communication, the Legislative Administrator and Inside the Legislative Process. She also has contributed as vice chair of many committees. Norma started out as a page in Arizona, and has worked as a data research receptionist, journal clerk, archivist and bill tracker, and currently serves as the assistant clerk. She is working with a clerk who is new to the office, and her vast knowledge is a huge help to him and the new leadership of the House of Representatives. Norma has served in many leadership roles for ASLCS, including as associate vice president; both elected and appointed member of the Executive Committee; committee chair, vice-chair and member; main coordinator of an ASLCS meeting panel; presenter on a panel and a host of the fall professional development seminar. Norma is a very worthy recipient of the Legislative Staff Achievement Award. Not only is she loyal and dedicated to the Arizona House of Representatives, but she is also a devoted member of ASLCS.

Leadership Staff Section (LSS)

Jennifer Jankowski, Administrative Assistant, Minority Caucus, Utah House of Representatives

The Leadership Staff Section recognizes Jennifer Jankowski for her outstanding contributions to the Utah House of Representatives and her distinguished service to LSS and NCSL. Jen is an enthusiastic participant in the Leadership Staff Section and is always the first to volunteer to step forward, whether it be to submit an article for the LSS newsletter, join the LSS Executive Committee or chair the Program Development Committee, which has to be one of the more daunting tasks within LSS. She is unfailingly friendly and welcoming. Unlike many other legislative staffers, Jen is the only staffer for her entire caucus, and its members say wonderful things about her as well. The House Minority Whip, Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck, describes Jen as “dedicated, indefatigable, creative, unflappable and exemplary” and admits the caucus would be lost without her. Her organization skills and initiative allow her to be on top of things at all times, remind the members about everything and save them a lot of time. She goes above and beyond to help caucus members. She keeps track of emerging issues, legislation and studies, and finds opportunities for caucus members to bring legislation forward. As a former intern, Jen knows how to optimize their energy, time and efforts, and developed a specialized orientation program that prepares interns for the rigors of the legislative session. Through her leadership, the interns are fully part of the caucus team and are more effectively utilized during session.

Leadership Staff Section (LSS)

Naomi Miller, District Director, Speaker Joe Straus, Texas House of Representatives

The Leadership Staff Section recognizes Naomi Miller for her outstanding contributions to the Texas House of Representatives and her distinguished service to LSS and NCSL. Naomi is the district director for Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, which helps her bring a unique perspective to the Leadership Staff Section. She understands the needs of personal staff and the people who manage personal staff. Overseeing the district operations and communications helps Naomi provide resources and insights for many individuals within the staff section. Her work as a liaison in her job also provides opportunities where other staff members can learn from her experience. Naomi is always willing to donate her time and energy to support and build the staff section. In fact, she helped organize the first outreach reception in Texas. Likewise, Naomi currently serves as the first vice chair of LSS as well as the program development chair. In addition, she serves on the Finance and Fundraising Committee and Nominations Committee.

Legal Services Staff Section (LSSS)

Richard Taylor Dillard, Senate Attorney, Delaware State Senate The Legal Services Staff Section recognizes Richard Taylor Dillard for his outstanding contributions to the Delaware General Assembly and his distinguished service to LSSS and NCSL. Rich has served as the Delaware Senate Minority Caucus staff attorney for nearly 30 years. During that time, he has been an integral part of the Delaware General Assembly.

In a state with no centralized proofreading office, Rich has worked tirelessly to ensure the Delaware General Assembly produces the most accurate, clear and uniform legislative product possible. While Rich works for a partisan caucus, when it comes to improving the effectiveness of the General Assembly and its legislative product, Rich serves the entire legislature. Rich has worked with NCSL on redistricting issues for many years, including serving on the Redistricting and Elections Task Force, writing on this subject for NCSL, and presenting at the Legislative Summit. Rich also has served as Mid-Atlantic correspondent for the LSSS newsletter, “The Legislative Lawyer,” providing news dispatches from Delaware and working to ensure input from other states in the region.

Legal Services Staff Section (LSSS)

Margaret ‘Peggy’ Piety, Senior Staff Attorney, Legislative Services Agency, Indiana General Assembly The Legal Services Staff Section recognizes Peggy Piety for her outstanding contributions to the Indiana General Assembly and her distinguished service to LSSS and NCSL. Peggy has served as a staff attorney for the Office of Bill Drafting and Research of the Indiana Legislative Services Agency since 2000. Her duties include providing nonpartisan bill drafting and legal research to all 150 members of the Indiana General Assembly in the areas of labor and employment law, public pensions and elections. Peggy also staffs standing committees during the legislative session and legislative study committees during the interim, and performs editorial tasks related to the preparation of session acts and updates to the Indiana Code after each session. She is greatly respected by members of the Indiana General Assembly. Peggy has served in every leadership role available to members of the Legal Services Staff Section, including chairing committees and serving as vice-chair and chair of the staff section. She served as chair of the Legal Services Staff Section in 2012–13, and during her term appointed the first LSSS Task Force on Confidentiality and Attorney-Client Privilege. Peggy’s contributions to NCSL also are noteworthy. She has been a member of NCSL's Executive Committee and a staff officer of the standing committees. Peggy served as NCSL staff chair in 2014-2015, the highest office available to legislative staff within the organization, and she did so with distinction and honor.

Legislative Education Staff Network (LESN)

Paul Headlee, Deputy Division Manager, Budget & Policy Analysis, Idaho Legislative Services Office

The Legislative Education Staff Network recognizes Paul Headlee for his outstanding contributions to the Idaho Legislature and his distinguished service to LESN and NCSL. Paul is known throughout Idaho as a leading expert for information, ideas, research and guidance in public education budget and policy development. In his role as deputy division manager for the Budget & Policy Analysis Division in the Idaho Legislative Services Office, Paul is the sole legislative staffer for all education. His primary responsibilities include supporting budget development, providing budget overviews and bill analysis for both the Senate and House Education Committees, and assisting all legislators interested in education funding and policy issues. During his 14 years of service, Paul has a consistent, successful track record of working with others to find long lasting solutions to big problems. Recent examples of his leadership include leading a team of legislative analysts studying solutions to address the backlog of deferred maintenance of higher education institutions. Paul also served an integral role in creating recommendations that were universally supported by the legislature for the continuation of the Idaho Education Network. In the most recent session, Paul played a central role in helping build consensus and passage of legislation to build and fund an Idaho career ladder for public school teachers. Paul also has a distinguished record of service to the Legislative Education Staff Network. Since 2009, he has served five terms as a member of the LESN Steering Committee, including two separate terms as a co-chair. In his leadership role, Paul served as a spokesperson for the network and the benefits members receive.

Legislative Information and Communications Staff Section (LINCS)

Morgan Blanchard, Communications Specialist, Louisiana Senate The Legislative Information and Communications Staff Section recognizes Morgan Blanchard for her outstanding contributions to the Louisiana Senate and distinguished service to LINCS and NCSL. Morgan is the communication specialist for the Louisiana State Senate. Serving 39 members, she maintains media guides, writes news releases and speeches, assists in publicizing Senate events, maintains issues analyses and organizes the Senate’s Back to School efforts. She has served the Senate for seven years. Morgan has been a LINCS member for five years and was elected chair of LINCS in October 2013. She is the recipient of the Legislative Staff Achievement Award in recognition of her leadership of the staff section, her efforts in creating a successful professional development seminar in her home state in 2014 and her overall professional accomplishments and dedication.

Legislative Information and Communications Staff Section (LINCS)

Jessica Bralish, Communications Director, Senate Democrats, Colorado Senate The Legislative Information and Communications Staff Section recognizes Jessica Bralish for her outstanding contributions to the Colorado Senate and distinguished service to LINCS and NCSL. Jessica has a background in communications, public policy, politics, and new and traditional media. She developed her expertise in communications through working at the University of Colorado, School of Mines Foundation, KOAA-TV and the Colorado State Senate, where she now serves as communications director. Colorado Senate Minority Leader Morgan Carroll nominated Jessica for the Legislative Staff Achievement Award for her ability to work with everyone, politics aside, and her passion for public service. “Through the voices of everyday Coloradans, she communicates how public policy affects average citizens. Her policy expertise allows her to easily deconstruct legalese so that average Coloradans could understand what is happening at the legislature,” wrote Carroll.

Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section (LRL)

Sabah Eltareb, Assistant Director, California Research Bureau, California State Library The Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section recognizes Sabah Eltareb for her outstanding contributions to the California Legislature and her distinguished service to LRL and NCSL. Sabah, an assistant director at the California Research Bureau, has provided dedicated service to the governor, both houses of the state legislature and other state constitutional officers and their staff. Sabah has been a key member of LRL. She served on the LRL Notable Documents Awards Committee from 2004 through 2011, including as chair in her final year. She became a staff section officer in 2011, and her service as LRL chair in 2013-2014 saw the first LRL professional development seminar in four years. In 2014, she was appointed to the LSCC where she continues to serve and advocate for the LRL. Sabah has contributed to the LRL by setting examples which include guiding members to be more active, and welcoming all members to join activities. Her energy, helpful spirit and ability to bring together a team of people to accomplish staff section goals demonstrate her leadership skills.

Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section (LRL)

Teresa Wilt, Legislative Librarian, Research Library, Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau The Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section recognizes Teresa Wilt for her outstanding contributions to the Nevada Legislature and her distinguished service to LRL and NCSL. Teresa is a hardworking and dedicated librarian for the Nevada Counsel Bureau Research Library. She has served the Nevada Legislature since 2000, and was appointed as the legislative librarian in 2013. Teresa conducts training for new legislators and staff, and has revamped the library’s approach to training to make it more useful. She handles the most complicated, time intensive and time sensitive requests with ease. She knows the importance of excellent customer service and sets an example for her staff to follow. She has united her staff and shown them how each of them is a valued member of the team. Teresa is a driving force in keeping the library relevant, even through a constantly changing legislative environment. She has done an outstanding job and has raised the bar for excellence. Teresa is a dedicated member of LRL, having served as a speaker and regular contributor to the newsletter and listserv.

National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices (NALFO)

John W. Rohrer, Coordinator, Fiscal and Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, Maryland General Assembly

The National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices recognizes John W. Rohrer for his outstanding contributions to the Maryland General Assembly. John has been a part of the Maryland Office of Policy Analysis for 35 years, and has served as the coordinator for Fiscal and Policy Analysis for over 15 years. Over John’s tenure, he has been instrumental in maintaining a high standard of analysis that is respected by members of both parties. John started his career as a data analyst for a major project evaluating public school funding and is now one of Maryland’s leading authorities on public school funding and intergovernmental finances. Additionally, John provided vital assistance in creating a new budgeting forecasting system, the logic of which is still used today. John also oversees data collection and reporting for information concerning local government finances, and he has improved the process and products of reporting that will allow Maryland to evaluate the relative financial strength of the state’s localities. Encouraging and supportive of his colleagues and charges, John sets high standards and provides rigorous review and thoughtful comments on matters before him. John is respected by leaders in both parties and his work ensures floor debates are less a debate about the facts, and more about policy. John is an indispensable part of the Maryland General Assembly’s fiscal analysis agency as a leader, an analyst and as a model for nonpartisan professional staff.

National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices (NALFO)

Ryan Miller, Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst, Legislative Analyst’s Office, California Legislature The National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices recognizes Ryan Miller for his outstanding contributions to the California Legislature. In his time at the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), Ryan has made significant contributions to key fiscal and policy debates facing California. California’s state budget is highly complex, and Ryan is highly skilled in explaining California’s complex budget formulas to legislators, legislative staff and the public. Ryan has drafted several Voter Information Guides, breaking down key issues facing California’s 18 million voters in clear language. Additionally, Ryan drafted the LAO’s first comprehensive look at the key financial liabilities facing the state. Ryan’s report described the key issues surrounding each liability, and whether those liabilities were being addressed by the state, making it a comprehensive and useful report, rather than a stale accounting document. Ryan also has provided valuable information to legislators and staff concerning the California State Teachers Retirement System and the state’s unclaimed property tax program. Ryan also has contributed substantially to the LAO’s communication with the public, creating the office’s first infographics to explain key budget and policy concepts, and improving the office’s social media presence. Ryan’s contributions to the LAO centers around his proven ability to distill complex budgetary topics into simple words and graphics that promote a broader understanding among legislators, legislative staff and the public.

National Association of Legislative Information Technology (NALIT)

South Carolina Legislative Services Agency

The National Association of Legislative Information Technology is pleased to recognize the South Carolina Legislative Services Agency (LSA) for excellence in its work supporting the South Carolina Legislature. In the past year, the LSA embarked on major improvements to the legislature’s infrastructure that are critical to legislative operations, including the following:

Complete renovation of the 35-year old data center and network operations center.

Design and creation of a “Chamber Dashboard,” a user-friendly interface to monitor chamber activity and transparent flow of business in real time.

Cutting edge installation of Xirrus access points, maximizing wireless coverage and performance while reducing equipment requirements and costs.

Upgrade of the legislature’s VOIP system to a hosted Mitel/AT&T solution.

Replacement of the sound/microphone system with a multi-media system that provides improved features.

Implementation of an authentication verification system that uses biometric fingerprint technology to increase security and user convenience.

Installation and implementation of a FireEye cybersecurity system. The LSA staff—determined, deliberate, conscientious and talented—undertook these complex and time sensitive projects and delivered them successfully for the legislature. Videos detailing these projects are available on the South Carolina Statehouse website. In addition, Gigi Brickle, Director of the LSA, has contributed to the work of NALIT and NCSL by speaking at and participating in NALIT meetings and activities over the years, and she has served as a strong advocate for the value of involvement in NALIT and NCSL. She and LSA staff have embraced their behind-the-scenes role as creators of systems and services that ensure the success of the legislative institution.

National Association of Legislative Information Technology (NALIT)

Ronda Tentarelli, Applications Support Group Manager, Legislative Service Center, Washington State

Legislature The National Association of Legislative Information Technology is pleased to recognize Ronda Tentarelli, Applications Support Group Manager, Legislative Service Center (LSC), for her service to the Washington State Legislature, NALIT and NCSL. Ronda has dedicated herself to providing the best support, software products, and advice possible to her customers—legislators and legislative staff. Some of the specific projects and systems she has contributed to are as follows:

Committee sign-in system.

Online bill comment system for the public to send comments about bills to legislators.

Document naming conventions, which assist the public in understanding the process associated with a legislative document.

Floor activity reports.

Redesign of the legislature’s website.

In addition, Ronda prepares and leads training about the legislative process for LSC employees and for legislative pages. She also serves on the Atlas Review Team, the governing committee that has immediate oversight of changes made to various legislative systems. Ronda also has worked with other state legislatures, sharing code or other information about Washington’s electronic bill book and other legislative systems. She frequently volunteers as a speaker for NALIT and helps to coordinate and develop ideas for sessions. She has served on several NALIT committees over the years, and also has contributed to other NCSL staff sections and NCSL activities.

National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES)

Max Arinder, Executive Director, Mississippi Joint PEER Committee (Retired), 2015 NLPES Outstanding Achievement Award

The National Legislative Program Evaluation Society recognizes Max Arinder for his outstanding contributions to the Mississippi Legislature and his distinguished service to NLPES and NCSL. Before retiring this year, Max had a 34-year career with Mississippi’s Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER). He served as PEER’s executive director for nearly 20 years and its chief of planning and support for 15 years. He established a reputation of strong credibility for himself and for his office. Max helped create an institution that has become essential to the functioning of Mississippi’s state legislature and critical to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of state government operations. Max’s leadership impact also extended beyond PEER. He was very involved in NLPES and NCSL, serving in top leadership roles for both organizations. Max was NLPES Executive Committee chair in 1993, and NCSL staff chair in 2014-2015, the highest office available to legislative staff within the organization, and he served with distinction and honor. .

National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES)

New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, 2015 NLPES Excellence in Evaluation Award The National Legislative Program Evaluation Society recognizes the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee with its Excellence in Evaluation Award for its outstanding contributions to the New Mexico Legislature and its distinguished service to NLPES and NCSL. The New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) has effectively integrated key legislative budget and program evaluation functions into a cohesive “legislating for results” approach. LFC has built a record of well-respected, independent, objective and relevant work. Its evaluations have saved money for state taxpayers and led to major improvements in program integrity, budgeting and public policy. LFC effectively communicates with legislators, legislative committees, state and local government entities, and the public by using staff presentations, its website and social media. LFC staff are active in NCSL, serving on its committees and staff sections, such as the Health and Human Services Committee, the Law and Criminal Justices Committee, NLPES and NALFO.

National Legislative Services and Security Association (NLSSA)

Elizabeth “Betsy” Hossenlopp, Senate Nurse, Legislative Health Services Director, South Carolina General Assembly

The National Legislative Services and Security Association recognizes Elizabeth “Betsy” Hossenlopp for her outstanding contributions to the South Carolina General Assembly. Betsy is Legislative Health Services Director and a registered nurse for the South Carolina Senate. In 1997, she was named Occupational Health Nurse of the Year. Betsy is a CPR instructor and possesses expertise on several other medical topics. That range of medical expertise served her and the General Assembly well earlier this legislative session when she, along with the capitol’s doctor and another nurse, saved the life of a lobbyist and former Columbia mayor who suffered a heart attack. Her knowledge and quick response enabled the patient to survive and then be transferred to the hospital, where quadruple heart bypass surgery was successfully performed. Betsy’s actions represent the highest level of professional service, and NLSSA is proud and honored to recognize her for it.

National Legislative Services and Security Association (NLSSA)

Tim Flynn, Capitol Nurse Practitioner, Texas State Capitol The National Legislative Services and Security Association recognizes Tim Flynn for his outstanding health contributions at the Texas State Capitol and his service to NLSSA. Tim is the capitol nurse practitioner in Austin. He first arrived at the Capitol in 1992 and became the building's first full-time nurse. With the support of leadership, he went back to school and became a nurse practitioner in 2002. Tim has been a constant presence at the capitol, serving through several administrations over 23 years, dispensing flu shots, providing patient education to lawmakers and treating state employees and visitors alike. Tim first became involved with NLSSA in 1997 and has served as a presenter on a couple of occasions at NLSSA's annual training conferences. He has performed his role with honor and distinction and is always eager to share his extensive knowledge and expertise. He is a highly dedicated and professional individual, well respected among his colleagues, and well-known for his warm and friendly personality.

Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS)

Sabrina N. Lewellen, Deputy Director, Assistant Secretary of the Senate, Arkansas Senate The Research and Committee Staff Section recognizes Sabrina NeKay Lewellen for her outstanding contributions to the Arkansas Senate and her distinguished service to RACSS and NCSL. Sabrina is the deputy director and assistant secretary of the Arkansas Senate. From 2008 to 2013, she served as the Constituency Services/Research & Special Projects Manager for the Senate where she provided support and leadership to the members, staff and constituents on a variety of topics. She joined the Senate in 2003 and is a valued professional who displays a level of professional poise and personal determination that is unmatched. Sabrina has been an active member of RACSS since 2005. She has served in various positions including as a member of the RACSS Advisory Council in 2008-09, on the executive committee as a member for two terms, vice-chair and chair of RACSS for 2013-14 and currently as the RACSS past chair. Sabrina has been an active participant at RACSS professional development seminars and RACSS sessions at the NCSL Legislative Summit, including serving as both a moderator and presenter. Sabrina also is a 2009 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute. In 2010, State Legislatures magazine featured Sabrina in the article entitled "New Wave," which highlighted 10 emerging individuals in a generation of legislative staff leaders who may change and challenge the way legislatures across the nation do business.

Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS)

Bryant R. Howe, Deputy Director, Legislative Research & General Counsel, Utah Legislature The Research and Committee Staff Section recognizes Bryant R. Howe for his outstanding contributions to the Utah Legislature and his distinguished service to RACSS and NCSL. Bryant has worked with the Utah Legislature's Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel for over 33 years; he is currently the assistant director. In his time with the Utah Legislature, he has worked extensively in the areas of health, human resources, child welfare, pensions, public education and taxation. In addition to his work in the substantive policy and committee areas, he also has coordinated the Utah Legislature's new legislator orientation programs and the legislative intern program. After being recognized by RACSS with the 2003 Legislative Staff Achievement Award, Bryant has continued to be an active and contributing member of RACSS, most recently having served two terms of two-years on the RACSS Executive Committee, and then, after rotating off, was reelected to another term before he was elected as vice chair in 2013. He served as chair for the 2014-15 term. Bryant has been an active contributor to RACSS, often as a volunteer to take on needed projects. He has been instrumental in planning and participating in RACSS programs, seminars and webinars. Some of Bryant’s earlier NCSL work included service on the NCSL Health and Human Services Committee, the Medicaid Legislative Staff Network, the Children, Youth and Families Committee and the Task Force on Developmental Disabilities. Bryant also taught for seven years at the NCSL Skills Development Seminar.

Standing Committees

Mary Quaid, Executive Director, House Legislative Services, Louisiana Legislature The co-chairs of NCSL’s Standing Committees recognize Mary Quaid for her outstanding contributions to the Louisiana House of Representatives and her distinguished service to the Standing Committees and NCSL. Mary is the Executive Director of House Legislative Services (HLS), serving in that capacity for the last 16 years. Before taking the helm of this non-partisan legislative research and drafting organization for the Louisiana House of Representatives, Mary staffed the Criminal Justice and Civil Law Committees, later becoming director of the Legal Division. For a combined total of 27 years, Mary has enjoyed the rigors, dynamics and change inherent in any legislature, and attributes the success of HLS to its professional and highly dedicated 82-member staff with whom she is honored to work for the betterment of the House of Representatives and all of its members. Mary has participated in NCSL’s Legislative Staff Management Institute and Senior Management Leadership Seminar. Additionally, she has made several presentations, including Providing Exemplary Member Services, Permanent Staff in a Term-Limited Legislature and Legislators and Staff: Building Trust in a Polarized World, at NCSL annual Legislative Summits, RACSS and LSS professional development seminars, and for the Legislative Effectiveness Committee, on which she serves as a staff vice-chair. Mary is helping to spearhead an effort by the committee to examine mentoring practices for new legislators. Her insight and thoughtful leadership is noticed, respected and valued by the committee.

Standing Committees

Roderick N. Welsh, Sergeant at Arms, Texas House of Representatives The co-chairs of NCSL’s Standing Committees recognize Roderick R. Welsh for his outstanding contributions to the Texas House of Representatives and his distinguished service to the Standing Committees and NCSL. Rod is Sergeant at Arms for the Texas House of Representatives. He’s worked in the sergeant’s office since 1985 and has been Sergeant at Arms for the last 23 years, the longest tenure in that position in Texas history. Rod is a past president of the National Legislative Services and Security Association. He was the 2008 recipient of NLSSA’s John Everhardt "Trooper" Award for outstanding contributions to his state and NLSSA, and the 2011 recipient of the Tony Beard Memorial Award for his hard work and dedication having contributed greatly to the progress and success of NLSSA. Rod is a former member of NCSL’s Executive Committee and currently serves as a staff co-chair of NCSL’s Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. He was instrumental in securing former U.S. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terry Gainer to be a speaker at the NCSL Forum last December on capitol security issues. He organized the committee session and also served as a speaker. Rod consistently volunteers his services, advice and assistance on many NCSL activities going beyond those involving the standing committees. This is his second Legislative Staff Achievement Award, the first coming 10 years ago at the recommendation of NLSSA, and both are well deserved.