Maryland State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp was unanimously selected by her fellow state treasurers this week to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Treasurers (NAST) at its annual conference in Williamsburg, VA.
In presenting the Boyles-Alter award, New Mexico State Treasurer James Lewis, NAST president, noted Treasurer Kopp’s critical role in assuring that Maryland maintain its outstanding AAA bond rating. Kopp, he said, is known as one of the best fiscal minds in the state and for her fairness and equitability. Within NAST, she is known for the same qualities.
In nominating Kopp for this honor, a fellow state treasurer stated, “Nancy is looked to by her peers as a leader and a voice of reason as issues arise.”
The Harlan Boyles–Edward T. Alter Distinguished Service Award is named for the former treasurers of North Carolina and Utah. Treasurer Boyles and Treasurer Alter served for 24 years and 27 years, respectively. Treasurer Lewis said, “In that time they exemplified the ideals of integrity and hard work that all of us in public service strive for. They never lost track of the fact that state treasurers are guardians of the public purse… this award is presented to a dedicated and committed public servant whose outstanding career has provided a respected voice for NAST at all levels of state government.
Treasurer Kopp said, “I was both surprised and honored by the award. Our nation has many excellent treasurers. Participation in the National Association of State Treasurers has allowed me to bring back many good ideas to Maryland and, I hope, also to let the rest of the nation’s financial leaders know about Maryland’s many strengths.”
NAST President Lewis said of Kopp, “At this time of fiscal crisis, Treasurer Kopp has been a strong voice for the states. She has devoted many, many hours to NAST’s legislative efforts in Washington, to educating new treasurers, and to the State Debt Management Network, among several other roles…all of us who know her appreciate the diligence and remarkable intelligence that Nancy brings to her work.”
