NASWA’s National Policy Committee Chairs Announced for 2026 Association Year
WASHINGTON - The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) announced the appointment of its national policy committee chairpersons for the 2026 Association Year. These individuals, selected from across the United States, are as follows:
Administration & Finance Committee
Chris Nelson, Chief Financial Officer, Texas Workforce Commission
Communications Committee
Chris Barron, Communications Director, Washington State Employment Security Department
Employment & Training Committee
Michelle McNertney, Division Administrator, Workforce Services, Iowa Workforce Development
Equal Opportunity Committee
David J. Rodriguez, State Equal Opportunity Officer, Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Paid Family Medical Leave Committee
Alison Eldridge, Deputy Director, Leave and Care Division, Washington State Employment Security Department
Technology Committee
Annie Tietema, Director of Performance and Technical Management, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Unemployment Insurance Committee
Kris Funk, Unemployment Insurance Administrator, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Unemployment Insurance Interstate Benefits Subcommittee
Anthony Vaughan, Deputy UI Director, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Veterans Affairs Committee
Anna Hunter, Assistant Director, Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services, Arizona Program Director, Arizona Department of Economic Security
Wage & Hour Committee
David Biglin, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Wage & Hour Compliance, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Workforce & Labor Market Information Committee
Nicol Nicola, Director, Division of Economic & Demographic Research, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
"Each of these individuals were chosen for a leadership role because of their skill, experience and deep understanding of their field," said NASWA President and CEO Scott B. Sanders. "We’re fortunate to have such knowledgeable professionals guiding our national policy committees, and I’m excited to see what the coming year holds."
NASWA Policy Committee Chairpersons assumed their positions upon acceptance of appointment following the September 11, 2025, Annual Membership Meeting in Dallas, TX. All Chairperson positions serve a one-year term.
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