For my entire tenure at NASACT, Kinney was always the first in the building. A highlight of my day, when time allowed, was going over current events first thing in the morning. Between our primary interests–his in markets and economics, mine in geopolitics–we kicked off the day well-rounded and well-informed. So, it was tough driving into an empty parking lot last Tuesday.

Kinney left a powerful legacy for which I am very thankful, and it was a joy working for him over the last three and a half years. With Kinney’s absence and the Hall of Fame plaque in our entryway as reminders, the weight of responsibility felt especially heavy that morning.

Although that weight is something I will–and should–always feel, I am blessed to be a part of a dedicated team of professionals at NASACT. They are all fantastic, customer service driven, and it is a pleasure to work with them every day to serve the state auditors, comptrollers, and treasurers around the country. We will continue to prioritize customer service across our offerings and in all touch points with you and the other organizations we work with.

In 2020, as a NASACT member at the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, I was auditing unemployment insurance during a period of unprecedented change for the program. I remember how relieved I felt when NASACT connected me with other state auditors facing similar challenges. Those connections served as a crucial resource for answering questions, talking through issues, and sharing best practices on the fly. While the role is different, my passion is the same: helping states serve their taxpayers.

Your work is mission-driven and incredibly impactful. The most rewarding part of working at NASACT has been sharing and promoting the work and expertise of state auditors, comptrollers, and treasurers with the public and other stakeholders. Supporting all of you via advocacy, training, information sharing, and member service in a non-partisan manner remains our mission. I am honored to be a part of this organization, and I am excited about our future.

Josh Winfrey
Executive Director