The National Governors Association (NGA) will honor seven outstanding individuals and one organization at its upcoming 98th Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. The Awards for Distinguished Service to State Government will be presented August 5, during the meeting's opening plenary session.

"The men, women and organization we recognize this year are to be commended for their meaningful contributions to state government," said NGA Chairman Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. "My fellow governors and I are grateful for the dedication each of these honorees has demonstrated through service to their states."

Each year NGA presents three awards for state officials, three for private citizens and two for distinguished service to the arts. The following honorees have been selected to receive awards for 2006.

State Officials

• Cheryl Frasca, director, Alaska Office of Management and Budget
• Dora Schriro, director, Arizona Department of Corrections
• Lonice Barrett, director of implementation, Commission for a New Georgia

Private Citizens

• Holmes Foster, Iowa
• Dr. Juan A. Panelli Ramery, Puerto Rico
• John O. Wynne, Virginia

Distinguished Service to the Arts

• Artistic Production: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minn.
• Arts Support: Donald B. Anderson, Roswell, N.M.

Established in 1976, the NGA Awards for Distinguished Service to State Government allow governors to bring national recognition to their states' most valuable civil servants and private citizens. The awards emphasize the commitment of state administrators and the important contributions private citizens make to state government. The awards program is administered by a selection committee comprised of three permanent representatives from the academic community, as well as designees chosen by the NGA chair and vice chair.

The NGA Awards for Distinguished Service to the Arts, established in 1980, are given in two areas: artistic production and arts support. This award recognizes outstanding service to the arts, focusing on contributions that improve the quality of life and bring distinction to a state or community. Janet Huckabee, First Lady of Arkansas, chaired this year's arts review panel, which is comprised of three permanent representatives from the arts community.

STATE OFFICIAL

Cheryl Frasca, Director, Alaska Office of Management and Budget

During the past 29 years, Cheryl Frasca has served the public in Alaska as an aide to two governors, numerous Alaska state legislators and a mayor. Her leadership in introducing performance measures to improve state services is an example of her exceptional work for the public sector. Frasca's commitment to making government accountable to constituents was realized in the establishment of the Missions and Measures program, which she now directs. The program communicates results to citizens, primarily through up-to-date results from each agency on the state's Web site. Program managers and division directors also receive training that enables them to use performance measurement as a management tool. Articulating the important difference between activities and results has helped establish a fiscally responsible administration. "Alaska is simply a much better place because of Cheryl's efforts and dedication to the State of Alaska," said Gov. Frank H. Murkowski. 

Dora Schriro, Director, Arizona Department of Corrections

In fewer than three years as director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Dora Schriro has applied the lessons she learned from a career of extraordinary accomplishments in the prison and jail systems to reform the Arizona correctional system. Directed by Gov. Janet Napolitano to conduct a top to bottom review then take the necessary steps to improve the correctional system, Schriro reached out to the department's workforce, the state's crime victims' community, the felon population and its advocates, the legislature and the public. Schriro developed the Arizona Plan, based on the goals of protecting the public; recruiting, retaining and recognizing an excellent workforce; and serving the state's crime victims. "Dora Schriro has made some remarkable strides for our state corrections system—from implementing effective programs to reduce recidivism, developing innovative offender reentry programs and working with all stakeholders to get results—she is a tireless advocate for public safety," said Gov. Napolitano.  

Lonice Barrett, Director of Implementation, Commission for a New Georgia

Lonice Barrett's distinguished career in state government is characterized by exemplary service, leadership, citizen involvement, stewardship, innovation and extraordinary achievements that have resulted in better government for Georgians. In 2004, after 36 years of service to his state, Barrett postponed retirement to accept Gov. Sonny Perdue's request to implement the recommendations of the Commission for a New Georgia to achieve a highly effective state government. Barrett has directed more than a dozen major innovation initiatives in a remarkable span of government operations and services, including statewide procurement processes, capital asset management, workforce development, tourism marketing, customer service, leadership development and strategic industries. Results in documented cost savings have surpassed $37 million, with projected revenues and savings of more than $200 million a year from newly implemented programs. Gov. Perdue said of Barrett, who was named by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2004 as Georgia's Top Public Servant, "His intelligence, integrity and humility have won the lasting trust, credibility and admiration of legislators, colleagues and citizens throughout Georgia."

PRIVATE CITIZEN

Holmes Foster, Iowa

Retired banking executive Holmes Foster has made significant contributions to the state of Iowa as a key financial advisor to Gov. Tom Vilsack. Foster was instrumental in the successful launch of the Iowa Values Fund, which Gov. Vilsack credits as one of the most significant accomplishments of his administration. The $500 million program has transformed Iowa's economy through the creation of nearly 25,000 high paying jobs in the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and financial and information service sectors. Outside state government, Foster has made significant contributions through community involvement as a member of the State Historical Society of Iowa Legacy Board, Chair Emeritus of the Iowa Able Foundation, Trustee of Iowa Wesleyan College and a fundraiser for the Des Moines YMCA and Des Moines Learning Center. "His many contributions have touched the lives of countless Iowans who may never even know his name," Gov. Vilsack said of Holmes Foster. "He is a man of uncompromising integrity, deep humility, financial genius and an unparalleled commitment to serve others."

Dr. Juan A. Panelli Ramery, Puerto Rico 

A trained dentist and oral surgeon, Dr. Juan Panelli Ramery successfully balances a thriving private practice and a volunteer community service organization that serves Puerto Rico's neediest individuals. In 1991, Dr. Panelli Ramery became a missionary doctor, serving impoverished areas in the Amazon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti and Nicaragua. These experiences motivated him to found Proyecto Amor que Sana (the Love that Heals Project), a group of volunteers offering free services—including food, shelter, health services, distribution of clothing and psychological and spiritual guidance—to the homeless and drug addicted communities. Gov. Aníbal Acevedo Vilá describes Dr. Panelli Ramery's motto as, "There is no problem big or small that we cannot tackle, there is always something we can do to help our people, our surroundings and our quality of life. Those who learn how to receive while giving will never be unfulfilled."

John O. Wynne, Virginia

John "Dubby" Wynne's contributions to making Virginia state government more results-oriented began with his involvement in the Virginia Commission on Efficiency and Effectiveness and the Coalition for Virginia's Future. In keeping with the commission's goal of reducing redundant and nonessential government spending, Wynne recommended changes that ultimately saved millions of dollars in government expenses and made Virginia's government more lean, transparent and responsive. As a member of the Coalition for Virginia's Future, Wynn was the architect of the Roadmap for Virginia's Future—the long-range planning and performance management system that now serves as the framework for performance excellence in state government. Through Wynne's insight and direction, the commission and coalition converged to form the Council on Virginia's Future, a public/private advisory body established to design a long-range, results-focused approach for performance management in state government. "Dubby Wynne's vision, leadership and strong advocacy have helped to pave the way for the Commonwealth of Virginia to excel at serving its citizens now and in the future," said Gov. Tim Kaine. "He has been, and will continue to be, a driving force for performance excellence and accountability in Virginia."

ARTS

WalkerArt Center, Minneapolis, Minn. (Artistic Production)

The Walker Art Center is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary contemporary arts center and Minnesota landmark. During the 13 decades the Walker has been serving Minnesotans, it has established a national and international reputation, recognized by Newsweek as "possibly America's best contemporary art museum." However, the Walker is far more than a museum; it is a model of the 21^st century art center, focusing on the many ways diverse audiences, with different learning styles, actively participate in arts experiences and discover links between art and life. Visitors may attend open rehearsals for new dance or theater performances being created by artists-in-residence; see films from around the world and participate in post-screening discussions; explore works from the permanent collection or from others' collections that are offered through special exhibitions; and participate in a community forum or book club. "The Walker Art Center's gala reopening in April 2005 attracted visitors and media attention from around the world," said Gov. Tim Pawlenty. "But long after the newness of the building wears off, the Walker will continue to do what it has done for more than a century—to engage Minnesotans with the most innovative, exceptional, leading edge arts and artists."

Donald B. Anderson, Roswell, N.M. (Arts Support)

An oil company chief executive with a lifetime passion for art, Donald Anderson has dedicated himself to enhancing the cultural environment of Roswell and southeastern New Mexico by bringing artists of national importance to live and work in the tranquility of the high plains. In 1967 Anderson established the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program, which provides artists "The Gift of Time"—an opportunity to work without distraction in their efforts to break new ground and focus on individual goals. Through the program—which has become a model for artist residencies around the world—gifted studio-based visual artists are given a unique opportunity to concentrate on their work in a supportive, collegial environment for an entire year. In 1994 Anderson opened the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, which showcases art produced by alumni of the Artist-in-Residence program. "The museum and the residency program have been catalysts in broadening community understanding and appreciation of contemporary art in New Mexico," said Gov. Bill Richardson. "Anderson's efforts also have put Roswell on the map as an arts destination, helping to promote economic development and tourism in New Mexico."

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NGA, founded in 1908, is the instrument through which the nation's governors collectively influence the development and implementation of national policy and apply creative leadership to state issues. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. The NGA Center for Best Practices helps governors and their policy advisors develop and implement innovative solutions to governance and policy challenges facing them in their states. The Center provides tailored technical assistance, tracks and evaluates state innovations and best practices and helps governors and their staff develop cutting-edge solutions to stay ahead of problems. For more information, please visit www.nga.org.