SANTA FE – New Mexico State Treasurer James B. Lewis received the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) President’s Award for his service on the NASACT Executive Committee at the 2009 NASACT Annual Conference in Dearborn, Michigan. Treasurer Lewis was also elected to serve as treasurer of the executive committee at the annual conference.

“New Mexico State Treasurer James Lewis was a valuable addition to the NASACT Executive Committee last year, and as NASACT president, I appreciated his perspective during a year that was filled with transition and economic turmoil for states,” said Thomas H. McTavish, auditor general of Michigan, who was president of NASACT at the time Treasurer Lewis received the award. “James has also stepped up to serve as an officer of NASACT’s Executive Committee in the coming year, an important role within our organization, as state financial managers are facing some of the most difficult challenges we’ve seen in a long time. It was my pleasure to recognize James with a 2009 President’s Award.”

Treasurer Lewis is the newest officer elected to the NASACT Executive Committee. Executive committee officers serve in their positions for one year, after which they ascend toward presidency of the association. Treasurer Lewis became a member of the NASACT Executive Committee in 2008 when he was named a treasurer representative by the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). As a treasurer representative, Treasurer Lewis serves as a liaison between NAST and NASACT, strengthening collaborations and sharing information and policy initiatives of mutual interest.

Treasurer Lewis will also continue to serve as chair of the NASACT International Committee. Treasurer Lewis was appointed to that committee in 2007. The International Committee examines the global economy, capital investments, currencies and other financial issues.

NASACT was founded in 1915 for state officials who deal with the financial management of state government. NASACT membership is comprised of officials elected or appointed to the office of state auditor, state comptroller or state treasurer in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. NASACT’s mission is to assist financial officers in enhancing and promoting the effective and efficient management of government resources through education, collaboration, training and best practices.

SANTA FE – New Mexico State Treasurer James B. Lewis was elected unanimously by his peers to serve as president of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2010. The election was held at the annual business meeting of NAST.

Jeb Spaulding, Vermont State Treasurer and current NAST President said, “The National Association of State Treasurers is so lucky to have James Lewis as our incoming President. He is a pillar of integrity and professionalism, and he has demonstrated the ability to get things done effectively by bringing out the best in others.”

The mission of NAST is to encourage the highest ethical standards, promote education and the exchange of ideas, build professional relationships, develop standards of excellence and influence public policy for the benefit of the citizens of the state.

Membership of the organization includes State Treasurers and state finance officials with comparable duties from the Unites States, its commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia. NAST staff is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky and also has a federal liaison office in Washington DC. NAST network affiliates include the College Savings Plans, State Debt Management and the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. It also has a strong corporate affiliate group.

Lewis was sworn in as New Mexico State Treasurer December 2006. He also served in this position from 1985 through 1990 previously. He was born in New Mexico and is a lifelong resident of the state.