It has been a genuine honor and true pleasure to serve as president of the National Association of State Comptrollers this past year. I am humbled to have had the privilege to collaborate with and support such respected colleagues from around the nation on important issues, including the impacts of a worldwide pandemic.
 
I look forward to visiting with you and welcoming you to the great state of Maine at the NASC conference in Portland this March 22-24. As Maine’s largest city, Portland is an unpretentious, scenic hub with cobblestone streets, working waterfront views, lighthouses and world-class dining. Let’s hope for an early spring here in the northeast!
 
The NASACT Executive Committee is again offering travel assistance for this conference. NASC members or their designees are eligible to receive up to $750 in travel assistance to attend. I hope you will all take advantage of this offer.
 
The Program Committee has put together a comprehensive set of sessions, roundtables and networking opportunities that address issues we all face as state comptrollers. Sessions will cover topics including:
 

• ARPA, SLFRF and Infrastructure Act oversight, reporting, and lessons learned.
• Updates from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
• ERP technology, trends, implementation challenges and successes.
• Cost allocation for capital and intangible assets.
• Cybersecurity, data analytics and mitigating fraud, waste and abuse.
• Addressing HR issues such as telework, leadership, recruitment and retention.
• Roundtables on federal/state issues, operational effectiveness, and best practices. 

In addition to these informative sessions, there will be a banquet on Wednesday evening, time to explore Portland’s Old Port and many opportunities to network.
 
Member participation is the key to the success and tremendous value of NASC. I would like to recognize some new state comptrollers since last year’s NASC conference and encourage them to attend this year’s conference:
 

• Dennis Milligan, Arkansas
• Malia Cohen, California
• Sean Scanlon, Connecticut
• Audrey Hidano, Hawaii
• Nancy Ruoff, Kansas
• Joe McDaniel, Kentucky
• Brooke Lierman, Maryland
• Andy Matthews, Nevada
• Nels Roseland, North Carolina
• Jennie Pratt, Oklahoma
• Jim Terwilliger, South Dakota
• Randy McCabe, Virginia
• Angela Thomas, Wisconsin 

One of the highlights of my tenure is the benefit of working with an extraordinary Executive Committee. Thank you for all your support, with tremendous energy and passion for innovation, promoting transparency and advancing government accountability over the past year. Serving on the Executive Committee this year are:
 

• Vice President: Cheryl Grey (MT)
• Secretary/Treasurer: Bob Jaros (CO)
• Immediate Past President: Brandon Woolf (ID)
• Rob Hamilton (OR)
• Mike Corricelli (TN)
• Kathleen Baxter (AL)
• Jay Cleveland (IA) 

NASC thrives because so many of you lead and participate in committees and information sharing groups. Participation in these committees helps build our professional network and the collective expertise we need to proactively address emerging issues and the changing landscapes state government financial leaders face. These committees and information sharing groups succeed because of your participation. Thanks to all of you who contribute to these meaningful discussions, especially the chairs, co-chairs, and group leaders for their time and service.
 
The only thing constant is change, whether from regulations, industry standards, technology or world events. My personal involvement in NASACT has proven invaluable time and time again, through every change I have faced in my tenure as Maine’s state controller. My deepest thanks to NASACT and all the comptrollers in other states who have provided guidance, support, advice and counsel. If you are not already, I strongly encourage you to get involved with this incredible organization. You will not regret it!

I look forward to seeing you all in Portland at the 2023 NASC Annual Conference.


  

Douglas Cotnoir was appointed state controller of Maine in February 2014, having previously served as deputy controller and director of financial reporting and analysis since 2001. He has served the state of Maine for over 30 years in five different agencies under six governors. He is a certified public accountant and certified internal auditor. Cotnoir is president of NASC.