WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today named William J. Gainer as Director of Administration and Finance.

"I am happy that Bill is joining us at NGA," said NGA Executive Director Dan Crippen. "His extensive career in the public sector and management expertise make him an ideal choice to oversee NGA's Office of Administration and Finance."

The Office of Administration and Finance is responsible for managing all administrative and financial aspects of the association. The director oversees the development of the annual budget, monitors the financial operations of affiliated organizations and manages the association's grants and contracts.

"NGA is a respected bipartisan policy voice in Washington," said Gainer. "I am pleased to join their efforts and look forward to advancing the work of the nation's governors."

Gainer was most recently a consultant in private practice having led major engagements in training development (Inspector General's Management Institute), cost analysis (Office of Personnel Management) and Congressional Studies. Prior to that, Gainer was associate director for management at the Congressional Budget Office and then principal associate director.

Gainer was also  executive director of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and spent many years at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), serving in numerous roles including deputy assistant comptroller general, director of strategic planning, director of education and employment issues and assistant director for housing issues. While at GAO, Gainer testified before Congress more than 40 times on housing, education and labor issues. His work resulted in significant legislative changes and billions in financial savings. Early in his career, Gainer taught mathematics at the university level and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

Gainer earned an M.S. in mathematics from Kent State University and did additional graduate study at The George Washington University, The Kennedy School and the Federal Executive Institute. 

Gainer started with the association on Monday, August 22.