NASCA Press Release: Jennifer Elkins Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2025
Contact: Elizabeth Whitehouse, Executive Director, executivedirector@nasca.org
NASCA Press Release: Jennifer Elkins Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient
Little Rock, AR — The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) proudly announces Jennifer Elkins, Legal Counsel at the Arkansas Office of Personnel Management (OPA), as a NASCA 2025 20 Under 40 Award winner. This prestigious award recognizes 20 outstanding individuals from across the country for their exceptional contributions to state government.
In her role at the OPA, Elkins drafts and supports critical statewide legislation, advises agency leaders and policymakers on complex HR and personnel issues, and guides reforms that enhance public workforce operations across Arkansas. Elkins’ expertise bridges legal analysis and policy development, and she is deeply passionate about driving meaningful change through collaborative leadership in government. In March 2023, Elkins led an effort to overhaul the Arkansas Class and Compensation Act and create a new pay plan, effectively consolidating 2,200 job titles into 800 and increasing the salaries of over 16,000 executive branch employees to match private labor market rates.
Lesline Fisken, Secretary of the Department of Transportation commended Elkin’s efforts in advancing the new pay plan.
“Jennifer is a true leader and problem solver. She worked countless hours applying her knowledge and expertise to the design and implementation of this transformational pay plan.”
Fisken continued, “The new pay plan consolidated about 2,200 current job titles into about 800 job titles that match their equivalent in the private labor force and expanded the number of employee pay tables from four to six by adding law enforcement and safety and professional pay tables. Over 16,000 executive branch state employees will receive an increase in pay up to comparable private labor market rates. Based on the Governor's recommendation, these salary increases targeted employment areas facing chronic shortages, including correctional officers, family service workers, Arkansas State Police troopers, and nurses.”
Elkins earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, beginning her career in public service while still in law school. Elkins has served in the State of Arkansas Office of Personnel Management for over 13 years, playing a pivotal role in shaping statewide initiatives.
Founded in 1976, NASCA is the nation’s only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving chief administrative officers or CAOs. NASCA provides a forum for state chief administrative officers to exchange information and learn new ideas from each other and private sector partners. NASCA engages states in transforming government operations through shared knowledge, operational excellence, and thought leadership.
For more information on NASCA, please visit NASCA.org.
