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.

The 2026 award nomination period is open!

The deadline to submit a nomination is August 26, 2026.

 

Past Recipients

  • Michelle Gilman

    2025

    Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Administrative Services

  • Raven A. DeVaughn

    2024

    Director, Illinois Department of Central Management Services

  • 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