(TOPEKA, Kan.) - Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins has been elected president of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). Her one-year term began December 1, 2007 during NAST's Annual Treasury Management Conference.
The nation's state treasurers elected Treasurer Jenkins to the position during Nast's annual meeting in Sunriver, Oregon, September 16-19. As president, she will oversee the association's programs and national initiatives. These include publications and professional development opportunities designed to aid treasurers and treasury staff in their efforts to efficiently and safely manage public funds.
Treasurer Jenkins will also help guide NAST's federal agenda. NAST is the leading voice for state financial issues in Washington, DC. During her time as President she plans to focus on the passage of federal legislation to authorize the U.S. Treasury to work with state unclaimed property programs to find the owners of matured, unredeemed savings bonds. She also plans to more fully develop the NAST foundation and increase its out-reach to state treasurers and their state's citizens.
Jenkins has been actively involved in the association since her swearing in as Kansas' State Treasurer in 2003 and just finished a term as Senior Vice President of the organization.
"I am honored to be elected to lead NAST and believe the knowledge and skills I will gain as president will benefit the citizens of Kansas," Treasurer Jenkins said.
The National Association of State Treasurers, founded in 1976, is an organization of state financial leaders. It encourages the highest ethical standards, promotes education and the exchange of ideas, builds professional relationships, develops standards of excellence and influences public policy for the benefit of the citizens of the states.
Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was re-elected to her second term as Kansas State Treasurer on Nov. 7, 2006. During her time as Treasurer, Jenkins has expanded investment options in Learning Quest and oversaw the re-bidding of the program, returned an average of $9 million a year in unclaimed property to Kansans, initiated multiple financial literacy programs, and eliminated the reliance on state general fund dollars to operate the office. She is a Certified Public Accountant and former small business owner.
