NGA Corporate Fellows
News from the National Governors Association's Corporate Fellows Program	 
November 2001 

NGA Outlines Vision For 2001-2002 

"The dawning of this new century and the convergence of globalization, technology, and deregulation have forced governors to ask important questions about the best way to govern. We are discovering the answers. In the 21st century, state leadership will be decisive."

Michigan Governor John Engler
NGA Chairman, 2001-2002

In response to recent challenges, state leadership is already rethinking government and implementing the following strategies:

Regarding families, the states are making strategic investments in the basic unit of society. These include providing lifelong learning opportunities and incentives for personal responsibility and self-sufficiency. NGA's strategies nurture civil society and encourage the kind of social and intellectual infrastructure needed for the 21st century.

NGA activities to support this legislative agenda include:

State Roundtables
Capitol Hill Forums
Site Visit Program
NGA Policy


Regarding the economy, the states are strengthening American competitive advantage in the world. By reshaping each state's economic environment to encourage clusters of innovation, governors are building a stronger national economy and states are prospering in the global marketplace.

NGA will support this competitiveness initiative through:

Policy Briefs
Clusters of Innovation Conference
Regional Forums


Regarding government, the states are reengineering the public sector to be more flexible, adaptable, customer-oriented, and performance driven. This means focusing on results, decentralizing decision making, and using technology to improve services.

As a Corporate Fellow, your organization will have a unique opportunity to participate and share in the dialogue that emerges from NGA's vision for 2001-2002. Through briefings with NGA senior staff, participation in Corporate Fellow advisory groups, and attendance at the NGA's Winter and Annual Meetings, your organization can share with the NGA in the fulfillment of its vision and contribute to better government.

Coffee with Governors and their DC Office Directors Scheduled

On December 12, you are invited to join NGA Chairman Michigan Governor John Engler and NGA Vice Chairman Kentucky Governor Paul Patton and governors' Washington, D.C. directors for coffee. This is first in a series of events geared toward strengthening the partnerships between the Corporate Fellows and governors' staff. The meeting will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Room 333 of the Hall of the States, Washington, D.C.. The program will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m.. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Denise Harrison <mailto:dharrison@nga.org> by e-mail or at 202/624-5325.

Welfare Reauthorization Meeting

In light of the upcoming debate on welfare reauthorization, Governors Washington Representatives and NGA staff are currently working on revisions to HR-36 the Welfare Reform Policy.

On December 14, 2001 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Gretchen Odegard, Legislative Director of Human Services of the NGA Human Resources Committee, will hold a meeting of private sector stakeholders to hear their recommendations for Congress on reauthorization. 

Please RSVP to Kimberly Miller <mailto:kmiller@nga.org> by November 30, 2001 if you are interested in attending. The meeting will be cancelled if there are too few attendees.

Welcome New Fellows 

American Water Works Company, Inc. recently joined NGA's Corporate Fellows Program. American Water Works is the largest regulated water utility business in the United States. The company's utility subsidiaries and affiliates now serve approximately 10 million people in 23 states. American Water Works, whose interests are natural resources issues, has also joined the Corporate Fellows Advisory Group on Natural Resources. Mark Strand, Vice President, Government Programs, added that "As the largest private sector water company in the country, we look forward to making a valuable contribution to the NGA's Policy Studies Divisions. Water infrastructure repair will be a major issue facing state and local governments over the next decade, and we hope to share our experiences and ideas and contribute to solutions that are developed in the Center for Best Practices." Please click here <http://www.amwater.com/> to view the American Water Works Company, Inc. Web Site. 

Corporate Fellows Advisory Groups 

With the support and involvement of the Corporate Fellows, the NGA Center for Best Practices helps the nation's governors frame solutions to today's most pressing concerns and tomorrow's public policy challenges. The Corporate Fellow advisory groups combine the voice and experience of both the private and public sectors to examine what works, what doesn't work, and what lessons can be learned from others grappling with similar problems and issues. These advisory groups (education, eGovernance, employment & social services, health and natural resources) meet during the Winter and Annual Meetings to discuss the year's work-plan and the role of Corporate Fellows; regular meetings of the Corporate Fellows' advisory groups take place throughout the year. If your organization is not involved in an advisory group and would like to join one, please contact Denise Harrison <mailto:dharrison@nga.org>.

Corporate Fellow Spotlight

Accenture is a global provider of management and technology consulting services and solutions. It has been a leader in this consulting arena for more than 20 years by serving its clients in areas of consulting, technology, outsourcing, alliances, and venture capital. Accenture prides itself in assisting organizations address vital business challenges, while creating new business opportunities.

Accenture joined the Corporate Fellows' program just over seven years ago. Formerly known as Andersen Consulting, the company served on the steering group of the Corporate Fellows Program through 2000. 

Accenture plays an active role in the eGovernance Advisory Group. In preparation for the 2001 Annual Meeting, Accenture participated in the Corporate Fellows Loaned Executive Program, lending an executive for two weeks to assist in development of a toolkit designed to help governors implement eGovernment initiatives. The impetus was to provide governors with tools for transforming state government into an enterprise that is organized and managed to maximize the benefits that technology brings including meeting customer expectations, enhancing economic competitiveness, and improving public services. The toolkit is structured into two categories - streamlining state operations and improving customer service - that provide concrete implementation strategies, examples of successful programs, and additional publications and resources. Accenture assisted NGA in organizing and reviewing content, and provided perspective on leading edge state eGovernment projects. You can access the toolkit here <http://www.nga.org/center/egovernment>. To learn more about Accenture, please click here <http://www.accenture.com>.


In the News...

Gov. Ridge Names Deputy Director of Homeland Security and Outlines Organizational Structure
Governor Tom Ridge, the Director of the White House Office of Homeland Security, announced several staff appointments including Admiral Steve Abbot to be Deputy Director of the Office of Homeland Security. Other appointments included Mark Holman, Becky Halkias, Carl Buchholz, Barbara Chaffee, and Susan Neely, many of whom served with then-Governor Ridge in Pennsylvania. The White House also released the general organizational structure and operating procedures for the Homeland Security Council. Included in the new design and procedures will be Homeland Security Policy Coordination Committees to address specific homeland security issues. 

Related Links: 

N ew Deputy Director of Homeland Security <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011029-6.html>
Organization and Operation of the Homeland Security Council <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011029-16.html> 


Homeland Security: News from the States

Alaba ma Governor Don Siegelman announces that the state's homeland security and anti-terrorism action plan has been thoroughly revised and updated. <http://governorpress.state.al.us/pr-2001-11-01-homeland.htm> He also appointed Gen. Michael H. Sumrall as the acting director of homeland security for Alabama. Sumrall will coordinate the state's security among state agencies and the national Office of Homeland Security.

Arkan sas Removes Emergency Plans from Web Site. <http://www.thecabin.net/stories/110601/sta_1106010054.shtml> State emergency officials have removed from a web site sensitive information about potential terrorist targets in Arkansas.

Governor Dirk Kempthorne outlines the ongoing actions being taken by state agencies to protect Idahoans as the country fights a war against terrorism. <http://www2.state.id.us/gov/mediacenter/press/pr01/prnov01/Pr_01_1 55.htm> Governor Kempthorne announced the state is stepping up readiness and its ability to respond to chemical and biological weapons. Lt. Governor Jack Riggs, M.D., an emergency room physician, will lead the state's bioterrorism efforts and help establish a statewide protocol for reporting and responding to potential biological incidents, improve public education and communication.

Minnesota Lawmaker Urges Broad Powers to Fight Bioterrorism <http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/808718.html>. In Minnesota's most comprehensive proposal to combat bioterrorism, a legislator called for sweeping new state powers to quarantine disease carriers and seize property to treat epidemics.

West Virginia Governor Wise Signs Executive Order Allowing National Guard Troops to Receive Extended Health and Life Benefits. <http://www.state.wv.us/governor/FullArticle.asp?index=325> Gov. Bob Wise signed an executive order that will allow the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) to make available health and life insurance benefits to full-time public employees currently covered by PEIA. "Since the September 11 terrorists attack on America, we have seen West Virginia sons and daughters called into action," said Wise. "Some of these servicemen and women have left not knowing when they will return, and for some their departure will mean a harsh financial impact by jeopardizing their income and valuable health and life insurance. This executive order will now give them options regarding their coverage."

Corporate Fellows Program Staff Update

Kimberly D. Miller is the new Director of the Fund Development and Corporate Programs Office. Kimberly comes to NGA from the Washington Office of California Governor Gray Davis, where she served as Deputy Director since February 1999. 
Kevin Silard is the new Associate Director of Fund Development and Corporate Programs. Kevin comes to NGA from TOWER Software.


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NG A Press Releases <http://www.nga.org/nga/newsRoom/1,1169,C_PRESS_RELEASE,00.html> 
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NGA Center for Best Practices <http://www.nga.org/center/1,1188,,00.html> 
About the Governors <http://www.nga.org/governors/1,1169,,00.html> 

Look for the Next Corporate Fellows Newsletter: 
December 2001
Calendar 	
CORPORATE FELLOWS PROGRAM MEETINGS: 

DECEMBER 12
Coffee with Governors and their Washington, D.C. Office Directors 
Special Hosts: Governor Engler and 
Governor Patton
(8:00 AM - 9:30 AM)
Hall of the States, Room 233
Washington, D.C.
If you are able to attend, please RSVP to Denise Harrison <mailto:dharrison@nga.org> by email or at 202-624-5325 no later than December 5th.

NGA MEETINGS:

FEBRUARY 23-26, 2002
NGA Winter Meeting
JW Marriott Hotel at National Place
Washington, D.C.
NGA Contact: Denise Harrison <mailto:dharrison@nga.org>

JULY 13-16, 2002
NGA Annual Meeting
Boise, Idaho
NGA Contact: Denise Harrison <mailto:dharrison@nga.org>

NGA COMMITTEE MEETINGS: 

NOVEMBER 28 
Natural Resources Committee Working Group Meetings on NR-9 & NR-8
(3:00PM-5:00PM)
Washington, D.C.
Hall of the States, Room 235
NGA Contact: Diane Shea <mailto:dshea@nga.org>

NGA CENTER MEETINGS:

NOVEMBER 28-30
NGA Center for Best Practices Retreat for Governors' Health Policy and Human Services Advisors
La Posada de Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
NGA Contacts: Joan Henneberry <mailto:jhenneberry@nga.org> and Evelyn Ganzglass <mailto:eganzglass@nga.org>

NOVEMBER 29-30
NGA Center for Best Practices Workshop on Emerging Growth Issues
The Millennium
St. Louis, Missouri
NGA Contact: Joel Hirschhorn <mailto:jhirschhorn@nga.org>

DECEMBER 3
NGA Center for Best Practices Learning Laboratory "Partnerships for Progress: Linking Higher Education and Economic Development"
Special Host: Governor Patton
(8:00AM - 4:00PM)
Camberley Brown Hotel
Louisville, Kentucky
NGA Contact: Cardella Graves <mailto:cgraves@nga.org>

DECEMBER 5-7
NGA Center for Best Practices 2001 Workforce Development Policy Forum
W Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana
NGA Contact: Martin Simon <mailto:msimon@nga.org>


OTHER MEETINGS:

DECEMBER 12-13


The NGA Executive Committee/Council on Competitiveness Roundtable on National Clusters of Innovation 
The Council on Competitiveness in cooperation with National Governors Association
Washington, DC
Ronald Reagan Building &
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
Please RSVP to Kevin Silard <mailto:ksilard@nga.org>
For additional information, please click here <http://www.compete.org/innovate/innovate_index.html>.

DECEMBER 14

Welfare Reauthorization Meeting
Gretchen Odegard, Legislative Director of Human Services of the NGA Human Resources Committee, will hold a meeting of private sector stakeholders to hear their recommendations for Congress on reauthorization.
(10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Please RSVP to Kimberly Miller <mailto:kmiller@nga.org> by November 30, 2001 if you are interested in attending. The meeting will be cancelled if there are too few attendees.