NASCA Press Release: Andy Kidd Announced as 2026 20 Under 40 Award Winner

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2026

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

NASCA Press Release: Andy Kidd Announced as 2026 20 Under 40 Award Winner

Nashville, TN — The National Association of State Chief Administrators is proud to announce Andy Kidd, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services (DGS), as a 2026 NASCA 20 Under 40 Award recipient.

The NASCA 20 Under 40 Award recognizes 20 exceptional young leaders from across the country who are making significant contributions to state government. Our 2026 honorees represent the very best of public service – exemplifying innovation, collaboration, and a dedication to improving the lives of those they serve every single day.

As Commissioner of the DGS, Kidd leads statewide operations that enable agencies and public programs to serve Tennesseans effectively. His career reflects a deep and growing commitment to excellence in public service, most recently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services for the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. Kidd began his career in public sector consulting, partnering with school districts nationwide to improve special education funding structures and strengthen compliance, which shaped his long-standing commitment to improving public systems at scale.

During his tenure at the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, Kidd led one of the most significant service transformations in the State’s disability and mobility support system. Through strategic leadership and organizational modernization he oversaw a 30% increase in individuals receiving specialized seating and positioning services, secured funding for three new regional Seating and Positioning Clinics, and balanced a program budget that had been historically unbalanced for years. His work reflects a consistent focus on expanding access while strengthening long-term sustainability. He is also known for building strong teams and fostering a shared sense of purpose in his work.

Upon nominating Kidd, Tennessee State Architect Ann McGauran praised Kidd’s service-first, collaborative leadership approach.

“His leadership has strengthened morale, improved retention, and fostered a culture of excellence across the program. Andy’s leadership is defined by clarity of vision, collaborative problem solving, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.”

McGauran continued, “In his current role, he continues to focus on the betterment of all Tennesseans through his service.”

By leading large-scale transformation and expanding access to critical services, Kidd’s work reflects both operational excellence and a clear focus on improving the lives of Tennesseans. NASCA celebrates his selection as a 20 Under 40 recipient, and looks forward to his continued leadership in advancing effective, people-centered state government operations.

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.