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Related Topic: Legislative Staff

Beginning in 1997, each of the NCSL staff professional associations was given the opportunity to recognize two legislative staff or agencies among their membership who made outstanding contributions to their legislatures and to the staff association.  

The award was established through the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee to recognize excellence in service to state legislatures. In addition to the staff professional association honorees, the staff chair(s) of the NCSL Standing Committees may select up to two additional award recipients.  

Award Criteria

The ASLCS Legislative Staff Achievement Award was created to recognize excellence in supporting the work of a state legislature and strengthening the legislative institution. Recipients are recognized for:  

  • 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 NCSL.  
  • Contributing to the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries.  
  • Contributing to existing knowledge and demonstrating expertise in a particular field.  

Nominate a Peer

  • Nominations for the 2024 Legislative Staff Achievement Award are now being accepted.  
  • ASLCS’s 2024 honorees will be presented with their award at the ASLCS Lunch and Business Meeting and recognized at the “Salute to Legislative Staff” event during NCSL’s Legislative Summit, Aug. 5-7, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.  
  • Submit your nominations by May 10, 2024, via this nomination form.  
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2024 Award Recipient(s)

Scott Kaiser, Assistant Secretary, Illinois Senate

Scott Kaiser

Scott Kaiser grew up in central Illinois and received a B.A. degree in political science from the University of Illinois Springfield in 1988. He was selected for the Illinois Legislative Staff Internship Program in 1988 and served as a legislative policy analyst for the Senate from 1988-1996. From 1997-1999 he served as deputy director of legislative affairs for Gov. Jim Edgar. In 1999 he was appointed assistant to the president of Southern Illinois University where he had responsibilities in government, community and media relations. In July 2004 he was elected assistant secretary of the senate for the remainder of the 93rd General Assembly. He has been re-elected assistant secretary of the Senate for each of the past 10 General Assemblies. Scott and his wife, Julie, have two children and live in Chatham.

 

Sherry Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary, Nevada Senate

Sherry Rodriguez

Sherry Rodriguez has been assistant secretary of the Nevada Senate since 2006. She has worked in state government since 2001 in positions including secretary for the Senate Committee on Government Affairs and secretary for the Senate Committee on Transportation. In addition to her state service, she served as deputy coroner for the Carson City Sheriff’s Department from 2010 until 2015. 

Born and raised in Southern California, she attended Ambassador Christian High School and Cypress College before earning her business management certifications from the University of California, Los Angeles.

She and her family have lived in northern Nevada since 1998.

In her own words: “I am blessed to have an amazing career and grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve our Legislature and the citizens of Nevada in so many ways.”

Previous Award Recipients

2023 Recipients

  • Finos B. “Buddy” Johnson, Parliamentarian and Coordinator of Legislative Services, Arkansas House of Representatives
  • Ali Sagraves, Assistant Clerk, Ohio House of Representatives

2022 Recipients

  • Jay T. Braxton, Assistant Clerk, Virginia House of Delegates
  • Timothy G. Sekerak, Chief Clerk, Oregon House of Representatives

2021 Recipients

  • Meggan Foesch, Business Manager, Wisconsin Senate
  • Megan Martin, Secretary and Parliamentarian, Pennsylvania Senate

2020 Recipients

  • Susan W. Kannarr, Chief Clerk of the House, Kansas
  • Bernadette C. McNulty, Chief Assistant Secretary of the Senate, California

2019 Recipients

  • Brad Hendrickson, Secretary of the Senate, Washington
  • Erin Gillitzer, Senate Records and Journal Clerk, Wisconsin
  • Ted Blazel, Senate Sergeant at Arms, Wisconsin

2018 Recipients

  • Yolanda J. Dixon, First Assistant Secretary of the Senate, Louisiana
  • Susan Furlong, Chief Clerk of the Assembly, Nevada

2017 Recipients

  • Maryann Horch, Senior Systems Analyst of the Senate, Virginia
  • Steven T. James, Clerk of the House, Massachusetts

2016 Recipients

  • Janice A. Gadd, Legislative Printing Supervisor/Journal Clerk of the House, Utah
  • Sandra D. Tenney, Chief Clerk of the House, Utah

2015 Recipients

  • Norma Chastain, Assistant Chief Clerk of the House, Arizona
  • Marilyn Eddins, Chief Clerk of the House, Colorado

2014 Recipients

  • Nathan A. Hatfield, Assistant Clerk of the Senate, Virginia
  • Karen Wadsworth, Chief Clerk of the House, New Hampshire

2013 Recipients

  • Judith M. Barrows, Senior Systems Support Coordinator of the House, Maine
  • Terry L. Spieler, Secretary of the Senate, Missouri

2012 Recipients

  • Stephen R. Arias, Chief Clerk of the House, New Mexico
  • Ramona J. Kenady Line, Chief Clerk of the House, Oregon

2011 Recipients

  • Ann Cornwell, Director/Secretary of the Senate, Arkansas
  • Bruce F. Jamerson, Clerk of the House of Delegates, Virginia

2010 Recipients

  • McDowell Lee, Secretary of the Senate, Alabama
  • Patsy Spaw, Secretary of the Senate, Texas
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