NASCA Press Release: Kristine Day Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient

For Immediate Release
May 22, 2025

Contact: Elizabeth Whitehouse, Executive Director, executivedirector@nasca.org

NASCA Press Release: Kristine Day Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient

Pierre, SD — The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) proudly announces Kristine Day, Deputy State Engineer for the State of South Dakota, 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.

Since 2019, Day has played an instrumental role in overseeing all phases of construction, renovation, and maintenance projects for the South Dakota Capitol Complex. These include planning, design, and construction administration for both new projects and maintenance and repair efforts. She also oversees the Buildings & Grounds department, directly managing a team of over 25 employees to maintain and modernize the state’s key government facilities. Day has excelled in modernization efforts through data-driven decision-making, improving employee engagement, and increased operational efficiency.

Jason Kettwig, Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration, commended Day’s leadership.

“Kristine Day has solidified herself as a leader and an exceptional performer within the Office of the State Engineer in South Dakota.”

Kettwig continued, “Kristine’s commitment to her teammates and the State of South Dakota is unprecedented. Her technical expertise and exceptional leadership will help to ensure that the state continues to improve efficiency and continues to provide first class service to the taxpayers of South Dakota.”

Day received her BS in Civil Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and her MS in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. Her strategic leadership has allowed the state to better serve the public while evolving to employee needs.

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.