National Ray Walton Leadership Award

The National Ray Walton Leadership Award recognizes state Chief Administrators for their passion, outstanding service, leadership and commitment to state government.

The award was created to honor Ray Walton for his service and dedication to state government and to NASCA. Ray Walton served as the Executive Director for NASCA from February 2011 through February 2015 and the former Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Learn more about Ray Walton.

Nomination Period: 2024 Awards opening March 2024.

    • Nominees must currently serve as a state Chief Administrator (or equivalent) or left the position no more than 12 months ago.

    • All NASCA State Primary (Chief Administrators) AND Secondary (Department Staff) members are eligible to nominate a current state Chief Administrator (or equivalent). Deputies, staff, and governors are now eligible to submit a nomination.

    • Nominees for this award must be a current member of NASCA (i.e. the state).

    • Selection of the National Walton Leadership Award recipient is based on two major criteria:

      • Accomplishments in their state and/or in NASCA

      • Service and leadership during their career

    • The winner of this award will be selected by a NASCA awards sub-committee.

  • Updated templates & forms will be added when award nominations open.

    Download and complete the Nomination Template here.

    Submit your Nomination using this Nomination Form and upload your completed Nomination Template.

Past Recipients

  • Christi Branscom

    2023

    Commissioner, Tennessee Department of General Services

  • Ellington E. Churchill, Jr.

    2022

    Secretary, Maryland Department of General Services

  • Joseph F. Damico

    2021

    Director, Virginia Department of General Services

  • Janel Forde

    2020

    Director, Illinois' Department of Central Management Services

  • Michael DiBiase

    2019

    Former Director, Rhode Island's Department of Administration

  • Bob Oglesby

    2018

    Former Commissioner, Tennessee's Department of General Services Description goes here

  • Chris Liu

    2017

    Former Director, Washington's Department of Enterprise Services

  • Doug Nelson

    2016

    Former Commissioner, Missouri's Office of Administration

  • Richard Sliwoski

    2015

    Former Director, Virginia's Department of General Services