NCSL State Liaisons

Meet Mick Bullock, Alabama's connection to NCSL.

Mick is the NCSL’s director of public affairs in the Washington, D.C., office and is responsible for NCSL's digital media and media relations. Before joining NCSL, he served as communications director for Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and was Bryant's communication director for the offices of lieutenant governor and state auditor. He served on the Mississippi crisis communications team following Hurricane Katrina. Mick received his BA in communication from the University of Southern Mississippi and his MBA from Belhaven College.

Contact Mick Bullock@ncsl.org at 202-624-3557

Sydne Enlund, Alaska's connection to NCSL.

Sydne Enlund works in NCSL’s health program and leads the program’s work on access to health care and rural health policies as they relate to the health care workforce. She tracks and analyzes legislation, writes publications, provides technical assistance to legislators and legislative staff and manages NCSL’s Scope of Practice Policy website. Before joining NCSL, Sydne worked for the Colorado Legislature as a policy analyst and for the Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in political science.

Contact Sydne.Enlund@ncsl.org at 303-856-1401

Meet Suzanne Hultin, Arkansas’s connection to NCSL.

Suzanne joined the National Conference of State Legislatures in 2013 as a policy specialist in postsecondary education. She oversees NCSL’s work on community colleges, workforce development and underserved student populations, including veterans, undocumented students and first generation students. Suzanne also co-staffs NCSL’s Legislative Education Staff Network (LESN). Before joining NCSL, Suzanne served as deputy chief of staff for two lieutenant governors in Colorado where she worked on issues ranging from early childhood education to higher education and workforce development. She received her Bachelor of Art in political science and journalism from the University of Washington and her Master’s in public policy from the University of Denver.

Contact Suzanne.Hultin@ncsl.org at 303-856-1531

Meet Arturo Pérez, American Samoas’s connection to NCSL.

Arturo is NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specializes in state tax and expenditure policy. He has written and contributed to numerous fiscal articles and reports including State Budget Actions and Earmarking State Taxes. Arturo serves as the liaison to an affiliate of NCSL, the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master's degree rom the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Meet Heather Morton, Arizona’s connection to NCSL.

Heather has been with NCSL since 2000 and currently covers consumer and financial services, civil liability and alcohol production and sales issues. She is a staff liaison to NCSL’s Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee. She earned her law degree from the University of Denver and earned her undergraduate degree in history and women’s studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Contact Heather.Morton@ncsl.org at 303-856-1475

Meet Arturo Pérez and Angela Andrews, California’s connections to NCSL.

Arturo Pérez is director of the NCSL State Services Division. The State Services Division includes several core programs: Center for Ethics in Government, Center for Legislative Strengthening, Fiscal Affairs, Legislative Staff Services, and the State Tribal Institute. He previously served as the NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specialized in state tax and expenditure policy. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master’s degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Angela Andrews is the group director for NCSL’s Legislative Staff Services Program and leads a team whose core focus is to provide high-quality programs, services and resources to the more than 25,000 legislative staff who work in America’s state legislatures. Angela co-directs NCSL’s Legislative Staff Management Institute (LSMI), which is currently based in Sacramento and is offered through a partnership with the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy’s Executive Education program and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State. Angela has worked in or for legislatures for more than 15 years. Prior to joining NCSL in 2008, Angela served as a legislative aide in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the United States Senate. She received her master’s degree in Public Administration from Suffolk University in Boston, Mass.

Contact Angela.Andrews@ncsl.org at 303-856-1349

Meet Iris Hentze, Colorado’s connection to NCSL.

Iris Hentze is a policy specialist in the Employment, Labor and Retirement Program at NCSL. Iris is a key member of the NCSL team working on occupational licensing, work-based learning and career and technical education issues. Prior to joining NCSL, Iris interned in the Colorado General Assembly as part of Colorado State University’s legislative internship program. Iris also worked for a lobbyist at the Capitol, assisting her with a range of diverse issues and policy areas including healthcare, labor and business. A Colorado native, Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.

Contact Iris.Hentze@ncsl.org at 303-856-1363

Meet Haley Nicholson, Connecticut's connection to NCSL.

Haley Nicholson has worked in federal policy and advocacy, focusing on domestic and global health, for more than seven years. She has done policy education and outreach in the nonprofit sector and on Capitol Hill for: global health appropriations, Medicare, Medicaid, public health, education, labor, foreign affairs, telecommunications and small business. She graduated from the University of Colorado with bachelor’s degrees in English and international affairs and has a master’s degree in public management from Johns Hopkins University.

Contact Haley.Nicholson@ncsl.org at 202-624-8662

Meet Molly Ramsdell, District of Columbia's connection to NCSL.

Molly is director of NCSL’s Washington, D.C., office and oversees the Conference’s state-federal affairs division. Molly joined NCSL in 1996, and has served as staff liaison for a number of NCSL’s Standing Committees including Transportation, Budgets and Revenue, Environment and NCSL’s Executive Committee Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. She has led NCSL’s advocacy activities before Congress and the administration on a range of issues including unfunded mandate reform, REAL ID and regulation of confined animal feeding operations. Molly holds a master’s degree in public health from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Contact Molly.Ramsdell@ncsl.org at 202-624-3584

Meet Jennifer Schultz, Delaware’s connection to NCSL.

Jennifer Schultz joined NCSL’s Environment, Energy and Transportation Program in 2013. She covers a wide range of topics, from recycling and air quality to veterans’ issues. She also helps staff the Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs. Jen grew up in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia, not far from Delaware. She received bachelor’s degrees in International Affairs and Geography from The George Washington University and a law degree from Suffolk University in Boston.

Contact Jennifer.Schultz@ncsl.org at 303-856-1353

Meet Arturo Pérez, Florida's connection to NCSL.

Arturo is NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specializes in state tax and expenditure policy. He has written and contributed to numerous fiscal articles and reports including State Budget Actions and Earmarking State Taxes. Arturo serves as the liaison to an affiliate of NCSL, the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Meet Kate Blackman and Kristy Hartman, Georgia’s connections to NCSL.

Kate Blackman is the group director for the Health Program at NCSL. Kate previously served as a program director managing projects focused on opioid misuse, injury and violence prevention, health disparities and other public health topics. She also specialized in access to care and rural health issues, such as telehealth. Before joining NCSL in 2014, Kate directed a public health research project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in rural, eastern North Carolina, and worked at several nonprofits. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she later earned her master of social work and master of public health.

Contact Kate.Blackman@ncsl.org at 303-856-1506

Kristy Hartman is a program director in NCSL’s Environment, Energy and Transportation Program. She analyzes regulatory and legislative trends related to fossil fuels, energy security, grid reliability, nuclear power and alternative fuels. She also assists NCSL’s Task Force on Energy Supply and NCSL’s Nuclear Legislative Working Group, which discuss critical energy issues and examine U.S. nuclear generation andthe cleanup of federal nuclear weapons facilities. Kristy received her master’s in public policy from the University of Michigan, where she examined public opinion on hydraulic fracturing. Before joining NCSL, Kristy managed congressional affairs and appropriations issues for the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration. She previously served as a legislative aide in North Carolina’s General Assembly.

Contact Kristy.Hartman@ncsl.org at 303-856-1509

Meet Arturo Pérez, Guam’s connection to NCSL.

Arturo is NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specializes in state tax and expenditure policy. He has written and contributed to numerous fiscal articles and reports including State Budget Actions and Earmarking State Taxes. Arturo serves as the liaison to an affiliate of NCSL, the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Meet Martha Saenz, Hawaii’s connection to NCSL.

Martha Saenz is a program manager with the State-Tribal Institute. She works on issues related to state-tribal relations and provides structural and policy support to the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators. Martha also worked in NCSL’s health program for five years where she focused on health insurance exchanges, state implementation of federal health reform, access to primary care and health disparities. She was previously a public interest policy fellow with the Colorado Health Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Colorado College.

Contact Martha.Saenz@ncsl.org at 303-856-1377

Sydne Enlund, Idaho’s connection to NCSL.

Sydne Enlund works in NCSL’s health program and leads the program’s work on access to health care and rural health policies as they relate to the health care workforce. She tracks and analyzes legislation, writes publications, provides technical assistance to legislators and legislative staff and manages NCSL’s Scope of Practice Policy website. Before joining NCSL, Sydne worked for the Colorado Legislature as a policy analyst and for the Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in political science.

Contact Sydne.Enlund@ncsl.org at 303-856-1401

Meet Luke Martel, Illinois’ connection to NCSL.

Luke Martel is group director of the Employment, Labor and Retirement Program at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver, Colo. He has been with NCSL since 2007, and his present research work focuses on state pensions and retirement system policy. At NCSL he has also worked on several other fiscal issues, including state budget policy, state tax policy, and state economic development initiatives. In his work at NCSL, he provides information to legislators, legislative staff, and members of the media, and testifies before legislative committees. Prior to joining NCSL, Luke served as a legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives. Luke holds a B.A. degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas and a J.D. degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in Fort Worth, Texas. He is licensed to practice law in Colorado.

Contact Luke.Martel@ncsl.org at 303-856-1470

Meet Martha Saenz, Indiana’s connection to NCSL.

Martha Saenz is a program manager with the State-Tribal Institute. She works on issues related to state-tribal relations and provides structural and policy support to the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators. Martha also worked in NCSL’s health program for five years where she focused on health insurance exchanges, state implementation of federal health reform, access to primary care and health disparities. She was previously a public interest policy fellow with the Colorado Health Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Colorado College.

Contact Martha.Saenz@ncsl.org at 303-856-1377

Meet Kristine Goodwin and Lesley Kennedy, Iowa’s connections to NCSL.

Kristine Goodwin is a program director in NCSL’s Employment, Labor and Retirement Program. She joined NCSL in 2019 to help launch NCSL’s Center for Evidence-Informed Policymaking. Prior to taking on this role, Goodwin contracted with national and state policy organizations to research and write about evidence-based state policy approaches for improving maternal and child health, reducing substance use disorders, strengthening Medicaid and promoting employment opportunities. Previously, Goodwin managed NCSL’s maternal and child health program. She has a master’s degree in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and an undergraduate degree in English and international studies from Iowa State University. She was born and raised in Ames, Iowa, where she attended school through college and remains the home to many family members.

Contact Kristine.Goodwin@ncsl.org at 303-856-1547

Lesley Kennedy is a group director in NCSL’s Communications division, serving as director of publishing and digital publications. A former newspaper journalist (Rocky Mountain News, Palm Beach Post), she has been a writer and editor for many national and regional print and digital publications, and brings that experience to NCSL in directing the organization’s editorial content. Kennedy grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in journalism and English.

Contact Lesley.Kennedy@ncsl.org at 303-856-1381

Meet Anne Teigen, Kansas’ connection to NCSL.

Anne has been with NCSL since 2006 and currently covers juvenile justice and human trafficking in the Criminal Justice program. Anne moved to Kansas in 2003 to attend the University of Kansas School of Law. While pursuing her law degree, she interned at the Kansas Statehouse for the 2005 and 2006 legislative sessions. She received her Bachelor's degree in sociology from Colorado State University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in the state of Colorado.

Contact Anne.Teigen@ncsl.org at 303-856-1652

Meet Mick Bullock, Kentucky’s connection to NCSL.

Mick is the NCSL’s director of public affairs in the Washington, D.C., office and is responsible for NCSL's digital media and media relations. Before joining NCSL, he served as communications director for Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and was Bryant's communication director for the offices of lieutenant governor and state auditor. He served on the Mississippi crisis communications team following Hurricane Katrina. Mick received his BA in communication from the University of Southern Mississippi and his MBA from Belhaven College.

Contact Mick Bullock@ncsl.org at 202-624-3557

Meet Mandy Rafool, Louisiana’s connection to NCSL.

Mandy has been with NCSL since 1994 and currently serves in NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs Program, where she specializes in state tax policy. She co-staffs NCSL’s Budget and Revenue Committee and the NCSL Deficit Reduction Task Force. Mandy has been one of Louisiana’s NCSL connections since 1997. She has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado.

Contact Mandy.Rafool@ncsl.org at 303-856-1561

Meet Kae Warnock, Maine’s connection to NCSL.

Kae has been with NCSL since 1987. She is a policy specialist in NCSL's Legislative Staff Services Program and has been the NCSL liaison to the Maine Legislature since 2012. She is the liaison to the Research, Editorial, Legal, and Committee Staff association. Kae has given presentations on leadership skills, goal setting, capitol restoration, continuity of government, and civic education. She is a veteran of several staff compensation projects, where she performs job analysis interviewing, job description development and comparative salary data collection and analysis. Her topical areas include: bill drafting, code revision, capitol restoration and renovation, continuity of government, and classification and compensation of legislative staff.

Contact Kae.Warnock@ncsl.org at 303-856-1553

Meet Molly Ramsdell, Maryland's connection to NCSL.

Molly is director of NCSL’s Washington, D.C., office and oversees the Conference’s state-federal affairs division. Molly joined NCSL in 1996, and has served as staff liaison for a number of NCSL’s Standing Committees including Transportation, Budgets and Revenue, Environment and NCSL’s Executive Committee Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. She has led NCSL’s advocacy activities before Congress and the administration on a range of issues including unfunded mandate reform, REAL ID and regulation of confined animal feeding operations. Molly holds a master’s degree in public health from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Contact Molly.Ramsdell@ncsl.org at 202-624-3584

Meet Margaret Wile, Massachusetts’ connection to NCSL.

Margaret Wile is a policy specialist in the Health Program at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Her focus areas include state level policy on maternal and child health, and behavioral health. Before her current position, Margaret worked for the Massachusetts Legislature as the research analyst for the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery. Simultaneously to her work in the legislature, Margaret worked as adjunct faculty at Simmons College in the Social Work Department where she taught a course on macro social work. Margaret has her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire and her master’s in social work from Salem State University.

Contact Margaret.Wile@ncsl.org at 202-624-8171

Meet Katie Ziegler, Michigan’s connection to NCSL.

Katie Fischer Ziegler is the program director for member outreach at NCSL. She leads NCSL’s work in engaging legislators and staff in every state and territory through the state liaison system, state coordinator program and general customer service. She previously led NCSL’s Women’s Legislative Network. Ziegler was raised in southwestern Michigan, is a graduate of Carleton College and received a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Contact Katie.Ziegler@ncsl.org at 303-856-1514

Meet Alison Lawrence, Minnesota’s connection to NCSL.

Alison Lawrence is a policy specialist in NCSL's Criminal Justice Program where she works on issues related to pretrial, sentencing and corrections. She recently staffed a legislator work group and co-authored its Principles of Effective State Sentencing and Corrections Policy. She also has authored reports on sentencing and corrections issues on earned time, community corrections, and offender employment opportunities. She has contributed to NCSL’s State Legislatures magazine on topics that include bail, sentencing and drug-crime laws. Before working at NCSL, Alison worked in community corrections in Denver, Colo., and in probation in Boulder, Colo. She received her Master's of Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Alison was born and raised near Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, Minn., where her family still resides.

Contact Alison.Lawrence@ncsl.org at 303-856-1526

Meet Mick Bullock, Mississippi's connection to NCSL.

Mick is the NCSL’s director of public affairs in the Washington, D.C., office and is responsible for NCSL's digital media and media relations. Before joining NCSL, he served as communications director for Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and was Bryant's communication director for the offices of lieutenant governor and state auditor. He served on the Mississippi crisis communications team following Hurricane Katrina. Mick received his BA in communication from the University of Southern Mississippi and his MBA from Belhaven College.

Contact Mick Bullock@ncsl.org at 202-624-3557

Meet Brooke Oleen and Michael Hartman, Missouri’s connections to NCSL.

Brooke joined NCSL in 2008 and is a senior policy specialist in the Environment, Energy and Transportation program. She is staff to NCSL’s Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs which includes a membership of 50 legislators and legislative staff representing 26 states. She also staffs a number of state/tribal working groups associated with NCSL’s cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy and its Offices of Environmental Management, Indian Energy and Nuclear Energy. Brooke holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Spanish from Fort Hays State University in Kansas.

Contact Brooke.Oleen@ncsl.org at 303-856-1455

Michael Hartman recently joined NCSL and is a research analyst in the Criminal Justice Program. His work focuses on state court systems, cannabis legislation and juvenile justice, and he has authored NCSL resources on criminal record clearing. Hartman holds a B.S. in psychology from The Ohio State University and a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Contact Michael.Hartman@ncsl.org at 303-856-1507

Meet Amber Widgery, Montana’s connection to NCSL.

Amber Widgery is a policy specialist in the Criminal Justice Program at NCSL. She specializes in issues related to drug crime, capital punishment, and pretrial policy including deflection, diversion, treatment courts and forensic mental health services. Amber tracks and analyzes state legislation, testifies before legislative committees, and writes briefs, articles, and reports on important trends and hot topics. Before joining NCSL, Amber served as a student prosecutor and as a fellow in both the Colorado General Assembly and the House of Commons in London. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado Law School. She was born and raised on the Great Plains in Haxtun, Colorado.

Contact Amber.Widgery@ncsl.org at 303-856-1466

Meet Katie Ziegler, Nebraska’s connection to NCSL.

Katie Fischer Ziegler is the program director for member outreach at NCSL. She leads NCSL’s work in engaging legislators and staff in every state and territory through the state liaison system, state coordinator program and general customer service. She previously led NCSL’s Women’s Legislative Network. Ziegler is a graduate of Carleton College and received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.

Contact Katie.Ziegler@ncsl.org at 303-856-1514

Meet Gene Rose, Nevada’s connection to NCSL.

Gene Rose is NCSL’s Communications Director. He returned to NCSL in December 2019 after an eight-year hiatus during which he owned and operated a communications firm. He leads a team that is responsible for the organization’s public affairs, marketing, digital, publishing, marketing and engagement. Gene was the first host of NCSL’s podcast, “Our American States” and also produces the general sessions at NCSL’s annual Legislative Summit. Gene came to NCSL after serving as the communications director for the Missouri House of Representatives. He has been recognized for his writing, video and speech writing skills with awards from the National Newspaper Association, the Missouri Press Association, the National Association of Government Communicators and the Telly Awards.

Contact Gene.Rose@ncsl.org at 303-856-1516

Meet Heather Morton, New Hampshire’s connection to NCSL.

Heather has been with NCSL since 2000 and currently covers consumer and financial services, civil liability and alcohol production and sales issues. She is a staff liaison to NCSL’s Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee. Heather has been New Hampshire’s NCSL connection since 2005. She earned her law degree from the University of Denver and earned her undergraduate degree in history and women’s studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Contact Heather.Morton@ncsl.org at 303-856-1475

Meet Austin Reid, New Jersey’s connection to NCSL.

Austin Reid is the director of NCSL’s Standing Committee on Education. He works to keep NCSL members informed of federal developments in education and represents NCSL by advocating for states on education matters with Congress and the administration. Prior to joining NCSL in late 2019, he worked in the U.S. Senate and at a national education nonprofit. Reid began his career as a high school teacher in Kansas City, Mo. and Harlem, N.Y.

Contact Austin.Reid@ncsl.org at 202-624-8678

Meet Marilyn Villalobos, New Mexico’s connection to NCSL.

Marilyn Villalobos joined NCSL in March 2018. She currently serves as a research analyst II in the Education Program where she covers campus safety, free speech on campus, guns on campus, hazing and undocumented student tuition. Prior to joining NCSL, Marilyn worked as an outreach and access coordinator at the Colorado Department of Higher Education. She holds a dual degree in psychology and international affairs from the University of Colorado.

Contact Marilyn.Villalobos@ncsl.org at 303-856-1548

Meet Erlinda Doherty, New York's connection to NCSL.

Check back soon for updates. Contact Erlinda Doherty at 202-624-8698 with any questions.

Meet Ben Husch, North Carolina’s connection to NCSL.

Ben Husch serves as the federal affairs counsel for Natural Resources and Infrastructure for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). In this role, he leads NCSL’s lobbying and advocacy work on transportation, environment, energy and agriculture issues before both Congress and the administration. He joined NCSL in March 2012 after nearly four years with the National Association of State Budget Officers. He has a masters of public policy from Rutgers University and a bachelor of economics from Wake Forest University.

Contact Ben.Husch@ncsl.org at 202-624-7779

Meet Karmen Hanson, North Dakota’s connection to NCSL.

Karmen is the program director of behavioral health and pharmaceutical policy in the health program. She joined NCSL in 2001 and covers topics like mental health, substance use disorder treatment, pharmaceuticals, cannabis and other health topics. Karmen began serving as North Dakota’s NCSL connection in 2003 because she enjoys “all things North Dakota.” She shows her North Dakota pride by wearing a University of North Dakota hockey jersey at University of Denver hockey games. Karmen has deep family roots in Williston, N.D., and she is proud to work closely with the state’s legislators and council. Karmen earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master's degree in sociology from the University of Denver.

Contact Karmen.Hanson@ncsl.org at 303-856-1423

Meet Stacy Householder and Amanda Essex, Ohio’s connections to NCSL.

Stacy Householder is the director of Leaders Services and Legislative Training. She has been with NCSL since 2008 and her responsibilities include overseeing content development for legislative leaders, creating and providing professional development for legislators and communicating with and providing services for legislative leaders. Stacy has developed and delivered numerous specialized programs for legislators and legislative staff across the country. She is knowledgeable in legislative leadership structures, leadership responsibilities, orientation programs and other topics related to the legislative institution. She has spoken and trained national and international audiences on a variety of professional development issues specific to legislatures. Prior to joining NCSL, Stacy got a taste of the world of legislatures by working in the Wisconsin Senate. She holds her bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs, plus a master’s degree in public administration, all from the University of Colorado.

Contact Stacy.Householder@ncsl.org at 303-856-1352

Amanda Essex is a senior policy specialist in the Criminal Justice Program at NCSL. She has worked at NCSL since May 2013 as a member of both the Transportation and Criminal Justice programs. Amanda conducts research, writes, and presents on a range of topics, including law enforcement, sentencing and corrections, community supervision, and front-end justice policy. She received her Bachelor of Arts cum laude in political science from Colorado State University. Amanda earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and is admitted to practice law in Colorado.

Contact Amanda.Essex@ncsl.org at 303-856-1369

Meet Samantha Scotti, Oklahoma’s connection to NCSL.

Samantha Scotti joined NCSL’s Health Program in 2015. She works on health system reform, Medicaid, long term services and supports, and aging and disability policy issues. She also staffs NCSL’s Innovations in State Health Systems Task Force. Samantha previously worked for the Colorado General Assembly and holds a dual degree in political science and international studies from Colorado State University.

Contact Samantha.Scotti@ncsl.org at 303-856-1440

Meet Sunny Deye, Oregon’s connection to NCSL.

Sunny Deye leads NCSL’s higher education team in tracking and analyzing legislation in all 50 states, publishing state policy issue briefs and reports, developing professional development opportunities for state legislators and legislative staff, and conducting NCSL’s annual Legislative Institute on Higher Education. She also has the pleasure of serving as NCSL’s liaison to her home state of Oregon. Prior to joining NCSL in 2005, Sunny served as legislative staff in the bill drafting office of the Colorado General Assembly. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon—during which time she interned with the Oregon State Legislature—and a master’s degree in politics and public policy from the University of Colorado Denver.

Contact Sunny.Deye@ncsl.org at 303-856-1469

Meet Emily Maher, Pennsylvania’s connection to NCSL.

Emily Maher is a policy associate with the Fiscal Affairs Program at NCSL, where she specializes in state and local tax policy and economic development topics. Emily also plans professional development opportunities for state legislators and legislative staff. A native of Hilltown, Penn., Emily previously served as a policy analyst in a nonpartisan office for the city of Philadelphia and is proud to work closely with the legislature in her home state. She interned for her local congressional office before attending American University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in political science and international service.

Contact Emily.Maher@ncsl.org at 303-856-1415

Meet Arturo Pérez, Puerto Rico’s connection to NCSL.

Arturo is NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specializes in state tax and expenditure policy. He has written and contributed to numerous fiscal articles and reports including State Budget Actions and Earmarking State Taxes. Arturo serves as the liaison to an affiliate of NCSL, the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Meet Sarah Brown, Rhode Island’s connection to NCSL.

Sarah is the Criminal Justice program director NCSL, where she researches and manages juvenile justice and youth projects. Sarah has authored NCSL reports on the mental health needs of juvenile offenders, and minority youth and disproportionate minority contact. She is a regular contributor to NCSL's State Legislatures magazine, and has written NCSL guidebooks on juvenile justice and victims' rights laws in the states. Before joining NCSL, Sarah worked for a U.S. senator in Washington, D.C. She earned her juris doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Contact Sarah.Brown@ncsl.org at 303-856-1361

Meet Kristy Hartman, South Carolina’s connection to NCSL.

Kristy Hartman is a program director in NCSL’s Environment, Energy and Transportation Program. She analyzes regulatory and legislative trends related to fossil fuels, energy security, grid reliability, nuclear power and alternative fuels. She also assists NCSL’s Task Force on Energy Supply and NCSL’s Nuclear Legislative Working Group, which discuss critical energy issues and examine U.S. nuclear generation andthe cleanup of federal nuclear weapons facilities. Kristy received her master’s in public policy from the University of Michigan, where she examined public opinion on hydraulic fracturing. Before joining NCSL, Kristy managed congressional affairs and appropriations issues for the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration. She previously served as a legislative aide in North Carolina’s General Assembly.

Contact Kristy.Hartman@ncsl.org at 303-856-1509

Meet Mark Quiner, South Dakota's connection to NCSL.

Mark is director of the Center for Ethics in Government. Mark previously served as acting director and assistant director of the non-partisan Wyoming Legislative Service Office for the Wyoming Legislature where he worked for 26 years. Mark graduated from the University of Wyoming School of Law and has been an attorney for more than 30 years. Following law school, Mark worked in the Wyoming Supreme Court for Chief Justice C. Stuart Brown, and then served as assistant attorney general for the state of Wyoming before working for the Wyoming Legislature.

Contact Mark.Quiner@ncsl.org at 303-856-1485

Meet Ben Williams, Tennessee’s connection to NCSL.

Ben works in the Elections and Redistricting Program at NCSL. Along with the program director, he manages NCSL’s redistricting portfolio. Before joining NCSL in 2019, Ben worked at Princeton University and the United States Senate. He is also an alumnus of AmeriCorps. He received his bachelor’s degree in International Relations and History from Tulane University in New Orleans, and his J.D. from William & Mary Law School, where he was in the Election Law program. He and his wife are natives of West Virginia, and his wife’s family owns property in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Contact Ben.Williams@ncsl.org at 303-856-1648

Meet Arturo Pérez, Texas’ connection to NCSL.

Arturo is NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specializes in state tax and expenditure policy. He has written and contributed to numerous fiscal articles and reports including State Budget Actions and Earmarking State Taxes. Arturo serves as the liaison to an affiliate of NCSL, the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Meet Stacy Householder, Utah’s connection to NCSL.

Stacy Householder is the director of Leaders Services and Legislative Training. She has been with NCSL since 2008 and her responsibilities include overseeing content development for legislative leaders, creating and providing professional development for legislators and communicating with and providing services for legislative leaders. Stacy has developed and delivered numerous specialized programs for legislators and legislative staff across the country. She is knowledgeable in legislative leadership structures, leadership responsibilities, orientation programs and other topics related to the legislative institution. She has spoken and trained national and international audiences on a variety of professional development issues specific to legislatures. Prior to joining NCSL, Stacy got a taste of the world of legislatures by working in the Wisconsin Senate. She holds her bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs, plus a master’s degree in public administration, all from the University of Colorado.

Contact Stacy.Householder@ncsl.org at 303-856-1352

Meet Erica MacKellar, Vermont’s connection to NCSL.

Erica joined NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs Program in 2011 and primarily covers state budget and tax issues. She contributes to several NCSL reports, including State Budget Actions and State Budget Update, and publishes the Fiscal Affairs Program’s monthly newsletter, The Fiscal Link. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Denver.

Contact Erica.MacKellar@ncsl.org at 303-856-1403

Meet Arturo Pérez, the Virgin Islands’ connection to NCSL.

Arturo is NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specializes in state tax and expenditure policy. He has written and contributed to numerous fiscal articles and reports including State Budget Actions and Earmarking State Taxes. Arturo serves as the liaison to an affiliate of NCSL, the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Meet Jon Jukuri, Virginia’s connection to NCSL.

Jon is director of NSCL’s Labor and Economic Development Committee and also helps staff the Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force. Jon graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a B.A. in Political Science and History and has a Masters of Arts in National Security Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Before joining NCSL in 2012, he worked in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. He has lived in the greater Northern Virginia area since January of 2008.

Contact Jon.Jukuri@ncsl.org at 202-624-8663

Meet Mark Quiner, Washington’s connection to NCSL.

Mark is director of the Center for Ethics in Government. Mark previously served as acting director and assistant director of the non-partisan Wyoming Legislative Service Office for the Wyoming Legislature where he worked for 26 years. Mark graduated from the University of Wyoming School of Law and has been an attorney for more than 30 years. Following law school, Mark worked in the Wyoming Supreme Court for Chief Justice C. Stuart Brown, and then served as assistant attorney general for the state of Wyoming before working for the Wyoming Legislature.

Contact Mark.Quiner@ncsl.org at 303-856-1485

Meet Arturo Pérez, the Northern Mariana Islands’ connection to NCSL.

Arturo is NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs program director, where he specializes in state tax and expenditure policy. He has written and contributed to numerous fiscal articles and reports including State Budget Actions and Earmarking State Taxes. Arturo serves as the liaison to an affiliate of NCSL, the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. An NCSL staff member since 1990, Arturo has bachelor's degrees in history and political science from Texas A&M University. He also received a master's degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Contact Arturo.Perez@ncsl.org at 303-856-1493

Meet Molly Ramsdell and Tres York, West Virginia’s connections to NCSL.

Molly is director of NCSL’s Washington, D.C., office and oversees the Conference’s state-federal affairs division. Molly joined NCSL in 1996, and has served as staff liaison for a number of NCSL’s Standing Committees including Transportation, Budgets and Revenue, Environment and NCSL’s Executive Committee Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. She has led NCSL’s advocacy activities before Congress and the administration on a range of issues including unfunded mandate reform, REAL ID and regulation of confined animal feeding operations. Molly holds a master’s degree in public health from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Contact Molly.Ramsdell@ncsl.org at 202-624-3584

Tres is a policy specialist in NCSL’s Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining us, he held multiple political roles in Indiana—director of political affairs for the MIBOR Realtor Association, legislative assistant for the Indiana House of Representatives and dual federal and campaign roles for former U.S. Representative Luke Messer. He covers gaming and finance related issues on NCSL’s Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee.

Contact Tres.York@ncsl.org at 202-624-8686

Meet Kevin Pula, Wisconsin’s connection to NCSL.

Kevin Pula is the development manager with the NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures where he works to build relationships between NCSL and the private sector. Kevin has been with NCSL for nearly seven years working in both his current role and previously as a transportation policy expert. He earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver and studied economics and political science as an undergrad. Prior to joining NCSL he spent a legislative session working for the Indiana State Senate.

Contact Kevin.Pula@ncsl.org at 303-856-1373

Meet Daniel Thatcher, Wyoming’s connection to NCSL. a

Dan Thatcher is a program director in the Education Program where he has tracked and researched education finance policy for over 12 years. In 2017, Dan founded NCSL’s Education Finance Fellowship to improve the expertise of state legislators and legislative staff in this critical policy area. Dan is a trusted, bipartisan resource on education finance and frequently provides testimony and written reports for legislatures on the topic. Dan received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Utah and his law degree from the University of Denver. Dan lives in his native Rocky Mountains with his wife and twin boys, and enjoys skiing, fly fishing and classical music.

Contact Daniel.Thatcher@ncsl.org at 303-856-1646