By Dianne Chaffin

Learning every day and sharing her love and pride of her state are what Virginia Drew, director of the New Hampshire Visitor Center, likes most about her job. 

Not only does this joint legislative staffer supervise and train more than 40 Granite State Ambassadors at the State House, she also oversees portrait preservation, gift shop operation, exhibits, the Flags over the State House program and brochure printing and distribution of historical information on the capitol. 

Drew’s operation provides tours for more than 30,000 school children and 15,000 visitors a year. She also clerks for the Joint Legislative Historical Committee.

Drew also is secretary of the National Legislative Services and Security Association. She is the recipient of the John Everhardt “Trooper” Award and the NCSL Legislative Staff Achievement Award. 

“NLSSA has given me an amazing network of professionals who work in capitols all over the world. The ability to meet and share experiences with other legislative staff is very important because working in a capitol building is different from all other work experiences," she said.

Drew's belief in community service has been a driving force in her life. 

She has served as a library trustee, school board member, town planning board secretary, budget committee member, youth athletic association founder, parish council member, hospital ethics board member, and Epsom Historical Association volunteer.  The quality Drew most admires in others is the willingness to be a lifelong learner.

 “I have been attending NLSSA conferences for over 10 years now and each one provides a unique experience and opportunity to learn from each other," she said.

Diane Chaffin is the director of NCSL's operations division.

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