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ASPA 2024 Annual Conference Nesta M. Gallas Lecturer Announced
ASPA is pleased to announce that one of its most devoted leaders and volunteers, Marc Holzer, will be honored with the 2024 Nesta M. Gallas Award during this April's Annual Conference.
Established in 2014 (by Marc and others) to honor Nesta M. Gallas' legacy by recognizing the lifetime achievements of dedicated public servants who uphold ASPA's core values—including equity, ethics, accountability and professionalism—this award is one of ASPA's most prestigious. We look forward to honoring Marc's distinguished career during this very special plenary lecture.
The founding dean of the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University and now distinguished research professor at Suffolk University, Marc is a prominent international leader in public administration and has been recognized by many international public management leadership organizations. He is an ASPA past president and founder of the Northeast Conference on Public Administration, as well as ASPA's Sections on Korea, China and Humanities/Arts. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and the World Academy of Productivity Science, and has been recognized with more than 20 national and international awards for his contributions in the field of research, teaching and service.
Supported by Nesta early in his career, Marc worked with others to create this award in her honor a decade ago and now will receive it this spring. He has spent his career advancing ASPA's core values, as well as transforming public administration into an inclusive field through his research and scholarship and mentorship to those entering the field. Additionally, his more than 50 years of leadership have examined the challenges of enlightened public administration in search of human dignity and reason, including diversity, to sustain constitutional democracy. His steadfast commitment to encouraging, mentoring and celebrating the next generation of public servants is a model to which we all should aspire, and one of which Nesta would be very proud.
Plan to be in Minneapolis for the 2024 Annual Conference as we honor Marc’s career and legacy.
Meet ASPA's National Headquarters Staff
Did you know all of ASPA's services, benefits, events, publications and other programs are produced by six dedicated staff at the national headquarters? Led by CEO and Executive Director Bill Shields, Jr.—who has recently agreed to remain at the head of the organization for another five years—this team of dedicated professionals is here to serve you for any of your ASPA needs. Read on to learn more about our team members.
 Karen E. T. Garrett, CAE
Chief of Communications, Marketing and Membership and Managing Editor, PA TIMES
Started at ASPA: 2015
Karen E. T. Garrett began working for ASPA in October 2015, where she serves as chief of communications, marketing and membership. She has more than 20 years of association management expertise and is responsible for all of ASPA’s communications and marketing activities, membership recruitment/retention, Chapters and Sections relations and website administration, as well as serving as the managing editor of PA TIMES magazine and PA Times Online. She has used her time at ASPA to further develop her range of skills, including expanding ASPA’s public voice to a broader range of constituents through a variety of marketing efforts; professionalizing membership outreach efforts and engaging with constituencies to promote ASPA as a valued society of choice; amplifying its online presence through a polished website and active social media engagement; and more. Garrett received her BA from American University in 2001 and her CAE from ASAE: The Learning Center in 2019. Contact Karen.
 Kelynn Keegan
Events Associate
Started at ASPA: 2024
Kelynn Keegan joined the American Society for Public Administration staff as event associate in January 2024. In this role, she is responsible for executing all aspects of ASPA's Annual Conference as it pertains to hotel logistics, onsite needs, guest accommodations, vendor relationships and more. She also produces ASPA's webinar program, in coordination with other ASPA staff members, and supports any of ASPA's meetings and logistics needs. Prior to ASPA, Keegan worked in various facets of the corporate events industry for seven years, in both for-profit and nonprofit capacities, most recently assisting in executing two international scientific conferences. In her free time, Keegan enjoys serving as a team captain and referee for local adult social sports leagues. Keegan attended Longwood university as an undergraduate and is pursuing her Certified Meeting Manager certification.
Contact Kelynn.
 Leilani Kieti
Membership Associate
Started at ASPA: 2023
Leilani Kieti joined the American Society for Public Administration staff as membership associate in September 2023. In this role, she is responsible for membership retention and recruitment, as well as providing member services and customer assistance. She supports the membership process by bridging communication between ASPA members and the ASPA staff and community. Before ASPA, she was part of the team at the Partnership for Public Service, where she analyzed survey research. Kieti received her BA from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2023. Contact Leilani.
 Amy Omang
Conference Manager and Member Services Specialist
Started at ASPA: 2006
As conference manager, Amy Omang primarily is responsible for the management, coordination and logistical aspects of ASPA's annual conference education sessions. She also works with the rest of the ASPA team in providing general conference support, and produces many of ASPA’s webinar sessions. Before coming to ASPA, she worked as director of meetings and education with the American Staffing Association. She has worked for and with various trade and nonprofit associations, as well as state government projects. Omang has a B.B.A. in accounting and finance from the University of Portland. She is a fitness instructor and is active with various community organizations including Family Promise and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Contact Amy.
 Bill Shields, Jr.
Executive Director and CEO
Started at ASPA: 2014
Bill Shields became executive director and CEO of ASPA in January 2014. During his tenure, he has significantly broadened the Society’s professional development programming, strengthened its Chapters and Sections, revitalized its operations and enhanced the quality of its communications. He has recommitted the Society to its core mission of advancing excellence in public service and made considerable inroads in partnering with like-minded organizations on a wide range of activities. He brings more than 15 years of executive and management experience in the nonprofit sector to this position, most recently as vice president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the nation's leading public policy organization dedicated to ensuring that people with the lowest incomes have affordable and decent homes. There, he was responsible for the organization’s operational, financial, membership and outreach functions. For more than a decade before, he held senior management and research positions at the National Academy of Public Administration. As vice president, chief operating officer and director of communications, he worked extensively with the Academy’s elected Fellows and served on research teams studying organization and management issues at the U.S. Departments of Defense, Housing and Urban Development and Transportation. He earned his MA in government and BA in journalism from American University, where he has been an adjunct professor since 2000. In 2015, he received the School of Public Affairs’ award for outstanding teaching in an adjunct position. He is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and a member of the governing board of NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement. Contact Bill.
 Jordan Thomas
Governance and Program Associate
Started at ASPA: 2023
Jordan Thomas joined ASPA as governance and program associate at the American Society for Public Administration in July 2023. In this role, he is responsible for a wide array of ASPA’s programing. He is the direct liaison for ASPA’s group and institutional memberships, while also managing the Founders’ Fellows and awards programs. He also is the organization’s National Council liaison, including assisting several committees that support ASPA's leadership. He has 10 years of experience in nonprofit operations, political campaign management and business-to-business sales. He spent the majority of his life living overseas in several countries throughout the Middle East and Africa, but has resided in Washington, DC for more than a decade. Thomas received his BA in international affairs from The George Washington University. Contact Jordan.
E-Learning at Your Fingertips
ASPA staff work tirelessly to keep your skills up to date and the information flowing all year long through our e-learning program. Visit our website to see more details about upcoming KeepingCurrent, BookTalk and Student and New Professional series programming.
Students and New Professionals: Careers in Federal Government: Searching for a Job, Succeeding in It
February 8 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST
Sponsored By Suffolk University
Presenters:
Lindsey Evans, Moderator, Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Janice Lachance, Executive Vice President, American Geophysical Union
Steven Putansu, Senior Social Science Analyst, U.S. Government Accountability Office
"Shape America’s Future" is the tagline on USAJOBS, the federal government’s online portal to thousands of federal jobs based in Washington, DC and around the country. However, the federal job search process can be daunting for new graduates pursuing a public service career. How do you develop an effective application and get it seen? How do you master the art of the interview and hiring process? And, once hired, how can you make a federal career work for you? Our speakers will answer these questions and others during this hands-on session.
Students and New Professionals: Building an Inclusive Public Administration Pathway
February 13 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Presenters:
Jennifer Martinez-Medina, Moderator, Doctoral Candidate, Portland State University
Delia Olmos-Garcia, Executive Director, Willamette Academy
J. Brandon Phillips, Assistant Professor, California State University—East Bay
Arun Sambataro, Policy Advisor, King County Government
In today's rapidly evolving and diverse world, the field of public administration must adapt to meet the needs of an ever-changing society. Yet there are many barriers to entry to the profession for non-traditional public servants. One of the key ways to overcome this challenge is to establish a robust and inclusive public administration pathway for new and non-traditional public servants. This webinar will provide an exploration of strategies and practices aimed at creating a diverse and equitable talent pipeline that reflects the rich tapestry of the communities it serves.
Students and New Professionals: Hot Jobs in Government
March 7 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST
Sponsored By West Chester University
Presenters:
Kiersten Farmer, Data Scientist, City of Henderson, Nevada
Angie Kline, Moderator, Associate Professor and MPA Program Director, West Chester University
Carrie Mathes, Chief Procurement Officer, Orange County Government, Florida
What if some of the most in-demand government jobs are ones you have never heard of or thought about? Take procurement, a profession that does not get the attention it deserves in the classroom, but is responsible for $2 trillion in government spending every year. Or, diversity and inclusion, an area receiving increased public visibility, but also where governments are still playing catch up. A panel of public service professionals from the front lines will share with you the emerging “hot jobs in government,” positions where you can see the value of your work each day. They will highlight the ins and outs of these jobs and share tips on how to get your foot in the door to make a difference in positions that governments across the nation are looking to fill.
From the Archives
BookTalk: Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems
Bill Eggers and Don Kettl joined ASPA's webinar series in June 2023 to talk about this release. Pandemics. Climate change. Refugee resettlement. Global supply chains. We face a new generation of complex problems that stretch across the public and private sectors and flow over organizational boundaries. To meet the moment, we need a fresh, new approach that strengthens institutions and government agencies by breaking free from organizational boxes and rigid, top-down leadership. Listen to this important discussion via our members-only archives. (Members only.)
In Memoriam: Lyle Wray
Lyle Wray, age 73, died earlier this month at UConn Hospital in West Hartford, Connecticut, after a long and difficult journey with cancer.
Wray joined ASPA in 1985 and was an active member in the decades since, participating in the Connecticut Chapter, where he served in leadership for a time, the Section on International and Comparative Administration, the Section on Public Performance and Management and others. He served on a number of national committees including several conference planning committees, the Center for Accountability and Performance board, finance committee, government taskforce and international relations task force. He attended numerous annual conferences over the years and was awarded ASPA's Elmer B. Staats Award, one of ASPA's lifetime achievement awards, in 2022.
Wray was born in 1950 to parents Clarence and Mary Ellen Wray in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. He moved to the United States in the 1970s and maintained dual citizenship throughout his life. He received his BA, MA and PhD in psychology from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. He completed the State and Local Government executive program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Wray was executive director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments in Hartford, Connecticut, for almost 20 years and an active member of Regional Plan Association's Connecticut Committee for that time, as well. He was a well-known advocate for regional cooperation and was passionate about sharing his powerful insights about the growth and governance of metropolitan regions and how to improve them. He advocated on many issues, from property tax reform to better regional transportation investment and planning. In 2019, he led the publication of a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy that set aggressive growth goals for the region to accomplish over a five-year period. With his keen wit, friendly charm and brilliant intellect, he was equal parts regional planner, political philosopher and humanist. He was focused on promoting the public good and thinking creatively about ways to deliver better policy that would improve people’s lives. He also served on the board of the National Civic League and its Council of Advisors. He was an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut.
Wray also served as county administrator and human services director for Dakota County, Minnesota, and executive director of the nonpartisan Citizens League. He was president of the Community Indicator Consortium.
In 2017 he was elected as a member of the National Academy of Public Administration. He was active as a practitioner and graduate school instructor in performance measurement. He co-authored the performance management book Results That Matter and several publications on the topic for the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA).
Over many years, Wray worked with international, state, regional and local governments as well as not-for-profit organizations, always in pursuit of results that matter for people and communities. He was intellectually curious, always the teacher, a world traveler, an author and innovator, and a science fiction buff. He loved the truth no matter where it led.
Wray is survived by his spouse, Lloyd Johnson; sister Lois (Les) Walterson; and a host of colleagues and friends both in Connecticut and Minnesota. He will be sorely missed.
You can find an obituary online here.
Advertise with ASPA!
Did you know you can advertise your organization's services, university's schools, nonprofit's resources or professional services in ASPA publications?
ASPA hosts advertising opportunities all year long, providing those looking to expand their brand with a wide variety of ways to do so, targeting all corners of ASPA's audiences. From a single website placement to a long-term ad in this newsletter to advertising at the Annual Conference, there are so many opportunities to use ASPA's media to promote your brand. Print, digital or social, content- or image-based, we are happy to work with your needs to find a placement that suits your marketing program. More, exposure is broad: Each placement will reach more than 3,000 people (30,000 for web placements) with a viewership that updates and changes regularly. Your brand placement will never get stale in ASPA media!
Contact us before January 31 for an ad placement and we'll provide you with a 25 percent discount on any ad you reserve* for the first quarter of 2024. Options include:
- PA Times Online Email and Website
Distributed via email to 12,000 people per edition with a 37 percent open rate
85 percent of website viewers are new
Email and web placement: $2,150 per month (discount applied: $1,612.50)
Purchase this pair for six months: $10,000 (discount applied: $7,500)
- ASPA's Website
Accessed by 30,000 unique viewers per month
82 percent of viewers are new
Side navigation placement: $2,290 per month (discount applied: $1,717.50)
Purchase this for six months: $12,000 (discount applied: $9,000)
- This Newsletter, Bridge!
Distributed via email to 15,000 people per edition with a 45 percent open rate
Ad to be included in edition when archived for long-term exposure
Top placement: $780 per edition (discount applied: $585)
Purchase this for six months: $7,500 (discount applied: $5,625)
Interested in having your branding across all of these choices? We can customize a package for you! Reach out to us for more information and we'll be pleased to help you book an advertising spot and grow your brand in the new year.
Contact ASPA's Karen Garrett to book any ASPA advertising spots or for further information.
*Ad reservation discounts do not include conference placements.
Support Your Students with a Group Membership in ASPA
A new year and a new semester means it's time to welcome new students, interns and employees to your university, agency or nonprofit organization. Start their time in public administration with ASPA membership and help them gain the information and tools they need for long-term success, all while building a personal network to help them throughout their career.
ASPA offers group memberships for any organization that has 10 or more individuals who are interested in joining. Members receive a $10 discount on their membership package—approximately a month of free membership services. Contact us for more information or to get started on signing up your group!
Thank you to the following organizations that are starting 2024 with a group membership.
- Albany State University
- California State University—Dominguez Hills
- Evergreen State College
- Hawaii Pacific University
- National University of Mongolia
- Sacred Heart University
- Shih Hsin University
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- University of Arkansas Little Rock
- University of Hawaii
- University of Illinois Chicago
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of New Orleans
- University of Tennessee
Establishing and Maintaining an Ethical Public Service Culture: Special Issue in Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of SEIGov
The Section on Ethics and Integrity in Governance (SEIGov) is proud to work with Public Integrity for SEIGov’s 25th anniversary celebration. SEIGov focuses on professionalism in both technical competence and moral character by cultivating ethical issues pertinent to the field. The overall goal of SEIGov is to promote ethical administrators, organizations and cultures.
In honor of the organization and journal’s matching goals of promoting ethics and integrity in governance matters, we are sending out a Call for Papers that address how to establish or maintain a public service culture steeped in ethics. Culture can be examined at various levels such as organizational or socio-cultural. We welcome papers that bring diverse, comparative and/or international perspectives on this topic, and encourage submissions from various methodologies.
Prospective authors should submit a 500-word proposal to Cindy Davis by February 9, 2024. Complete papers must be submitted by April 15, 2024. Final drafts are due August 12, 2024. Proposal acceptance does not indicate the complete paper will be accepted for publication. All papers will go through Public Integrity’s peer review process.
JSEPA 2:1 Is Out
The most recent edition of the Journal of Social Equity in Public Administration (JSEPA) has been released. Volume 2, issue 1 includes research and reviews from an array of equity-minded scholars, covering topics such as COVID-19 vaccine sharing across nations, Black representation in foreign policy, equity in death and burial services, racial healing and much, much more. JSEPA is open access; please share articles with your colleagues, students and social media followers.
National Civic League All-America City Award
The National Civic League (NCL) is accepting applications for the 2024 All-America City Award. With a rich history dating back to 1949, this award has been honoring communities that harness the power of civic engagement, collaboration, inclusivity and innovation to effectively tackle local challenges.
The 2024 theme, "Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation," aims to spotlight communities bolstering democratic processes through innovations such as making it easier to vote, engage in community affairs and participate in leadership roles.
The deadline for optional letters of intent to apply has passed; final applications must be submitted by February 13, 2024. NCL will announce the top 20 finalists in March, who will have the opportunity to convene in Denver, Colorado, from June 7-9, 2024, to showcase their community's achievements at the All-America City Award event. Don't miss your chance to shine on this national stage!
For additional information, watch this informational webinar and download the 2023 application.
Public Administration Today Highlight
Public Administration Today features white papers, research and blogs from across the profession. If you're interested in more—especially your own curated news feed in your inbox every week—visit the website, create an account and check off your interest areas so you can stay up to date about the latest research being released!
Foster Positive Relationships at Camp with Fun Social Skills Lessons
Via Summer Camp Pro: Let’s talk about social skills—those essential abilities that help us interact with others in positive and respectful ways. Social skills are not always easy to learn, especially for kids who have different needs and preferences. That’s why it’s important to incorporate some fun and engaging social skills lessons into your camp activities.
Tips, Resources and the Fun Stuff
News Literacy Is Essential. Here’s How to Make It Work for Students.
More and more, policymakers are recognizing the need to help students learn to navigate a chaotic media environment. There are three main elements to effectively implementing these mandates in classrooms.
You’re Emailing Wrong at Work. Follow This Etiquette Guide.
Get the most out of your work email and avoid being a jerk with these etiquette tips for the modern workplace
In the News
Today's headlines contain plenty of news coverage of some of our nation's most pressing public administration challenges. ASPA has curated some of the most important stories from recent weeks. If you have not seen these yet, make sure you read them now!
Infrastructure
Public Finance
Public Service
Social Equity
Tell Me Something Good...
Need some good news in your world? Check this out:
Motorist Sees Truck Fall from Skyward Launch, Races Down to Icy Crow River, Minnesota, and Rescues Pinned Driver
One moment, Christopher Kirk was driving his pickup on a west metro highway. The next, he saw a box truck launch skyward before his eyes and crash into the icy Crow River below. Kirk did not hesitate. "I saw someone who was on the border or the edge of dying," he said Tuesday, putting aside worries of his own well-being and thinking: "I'm just gonna help get this guy out."
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