NASCA Press Release: Manny Welsh 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: Manny Welsh Announced as 2026 20 Under 40 Award Winner
Baltimore, MD — The National Association of State Chief Administrators is proud to announce Manny Welsh, Principal Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Administrative Officer for Maryland Governor Wes Moore, 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 Principal Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Administrative Officer at the Maryland Governor’s Office, Welsh serves as second-in-command to Governor Wes Moore and oversees the day-to-day operations of the executive branch. He works closely with the Governor's cabinet and senior staff to ensure government agencies are functioning efficiently and successfully implementing gubernatorial priorities.
Welsh has spearheaded some of Maryland’s most complex initiatives, including leading interagency efforts to collect and disburse over $42 million in emergency state funding for impacted workers and businesses following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2024. His deep knowledge of procurement informed the creation of Governor Moore’s landmark Procurement Reform Agenda, expanding participation opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses in Maryland, reducing procurement timelines, and increasing accountability measures for prime contractors who fail to meet socioeconomic procurement goals.
Upon nominating Welsh, Atif Chaudhry, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services, commended his ability to lead complex initiatives.
“Manny is an architect of systems and a steward of process who doesn't maintain the status quo, but improves it. He has spent the last decade developing the trust, relationships, and operational instinct needed to navigate the state of Maryland’s most complex problems.”
Chaudhry continued, “Manny’s innovative leadership prioritizes lasting, structural efficiency over temporary fixes, making him an invaluable asset to the State of Maryland and a deserving recipient of the 20 Under 40 Award.”
From leading interagency projects to advancing structural procurement reforms, Welsh’s work reflects the impact honored by the NASCA 20 Under 40 Award. NASCA celebrates his selection as a 20 Under 40 recipient, and we look forward to his continued work advancing excellence in 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.
