I am thrilled to share news that fills me with immense pride for our organization and our outstanding team members. The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) has named two of our key leaders, Daniel Kruger and Courtney Iversen, as recipients of their 2025 20 Under 40 awards. This recognition celebrates 20 outstanding individuals from across the country for their exceptional contributions to state government.

Daniel Kruger, our Chief Strategy Officer, has been honored for his remarkable leadership in supporting the Strategy Division’s team of program directors and his pivotal role in launching the NASPO Partnership Program in 2021. Dan’s achievements at such a pivotal stage in his career are nothing short of remarkable. I am so proud of his hard work and dedicated service to those in the procurement profession and those who support them – it is making a real impact. Dan exemplifies the kind of visionary, values-driven leadership that shapes industries and uplifts organizations. We’re proud to see Dan’s efforts celebrated on such a distinguished platform and we’re even more excited to see what the future holds for him. View Dan’s PR at NASCA.org

Courtney Iversen, our Deputy Chief Strategy Officer, has been recognized for her strategic vision and operational excellence in managing the Strategy Division’s seven key programs. Her unique blend of public and private sector experience, combined with her tenure in various leadership roles at NASPO, has been instrumental in advancing our strategic initiatives. This recognition is a testament to Courtney’s outstanding leadership, work ethic, and service mindset. Her commitment to excellence and innovation has not only advanced key NASPO initiatives but has also set a high standard for emerging leaders across the procurement and association management industries. She is also currently working on her Innovation Strategy certification through Cornell University. We are proud to celebrate Courtney’s achievements and look forward to seeing the continued positive influence she will have in the years ahead. View Courtney’s PR at NASCA.org

I am also thrilled to announce that two of our NASPO members, Jared Ambrosier and Samantha Willis, are also among this year’s winners. Jared, who currently serves on our NASPO Board of Directors, brings an innovative spirit to our organization, and his commitment to advancing procurement practices across all types of organizations aligns perfectly with NASPO’s mission. View Jared’s PR at NASCA.org

Additionally, Samantha’s commitment to streamlining procurement processes and enhancing vendor engagement reflects our shared mission of advancing best practices in state procurement. We are proud to have leaders like Jared and Samantha representing the future of public procurement and look forward to their continued contributions to our field. View Samantha’s PR at NASCA.org

This recognition of our staff and members highlights the important work we do every day to support state procurement offices across the nation. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and collaborative solutions, we continue to elevate the profession and create meaningful impact for the communities we serve.

Please join me in congratulating Dan, Courtney, Jared and Samantha on this well-deserved recognition. Their success reflects NASPO’s commitment to excellence and our shared mission of elevating public procurement.

We look forward to celebrating their achievements and continuing to build on the strong foundation they have helped establish for our organization’s future. You can view all the recipients here: NASCA Awards — NASCA | Blog.

With pride and gratitude,

Lindle Hatton
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO)