NAGC Communicator of the Year
NAGC Announces 2008 Communicator of the Year
The National Association of Government Communicators on April 29, 2008, announced that the Hon. David M. Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States, has earned the 2008 NAGC Communicator of the Year Award.
During 2007, Walker took his “Fiscal Wake-Up Tour” to audiences ranging from town halls in Des Moines and Los Angeles to CBS’s 60 Minutes to discuss the consequences of the federal debt and how it will affect the country’s future.
“His work demonstrated core values of a government communicator,” said David Matustik, former NAGC president who headed the awards committee. “Mr. Walker presented the facts in a non-partisan manner in easily understandable terms so that everyday citizens could make informed decisions.”
The award announcement was made as the NAGC opened its annual Communications School in Albuquerque. The conference, which brings in government communicators from throughout the country, was held April 28-May 1, 2008. Karen Hughes, former undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs as well as former White House Communications Director, was the closing keynote speaker.
Walker, who served as the government’s chief accountability officer for 10 years, stepped down in March to become President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, where he will continue his crusade of informing the public about the government’s fiscal straits.
“Dubbed ‘Walker, Fiscal Ranger’ by one journalist, he relentlessly delivered the information many did not want to hear to congressional committees as well as public forums,” Matustik said. “The selection committee noted that courage.”
President Bill Clinton appointed Walker as the seventh comptroller general in U.S. history in November 1998. He has served on numerous national and international financial advisory boards.
About the NAGC Communicator of the Year Award
Whether a person who is constantly in the headlines or who works behind-the-scenes, a government communicator helps instill public trust by effectively presenting accurate, timely, meaningful information. Each year the National Association of Government Communicators seeks your help in finding one who exemplified those qualities for its “Communicator of the Year” award. The honor is presented during NAGC’s annual Communications School.