NGA Announces New Executive Committee, Commemorates the Power of Service to Close Summer Meeting

Gov. Wes Moore becomes NGA Chair as Govs. Kelly, Walz, Stitt and Gordon reflect on public service

OKLAHOMA CITY - The National Governors Association (NGA) today announced its new executive committee leadership for 2026-2027 during the final day of the 2026 NGA Summer Meeting. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was named NGA chair, and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun was elected vice chair/chair-elect. Govs. Moore and Braun will lead the executive committee that guides NGA's priorities and activities. The following governors have been elected to serve on the 2026-2027 executive committee:

• Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green, M.D.
• Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry
• Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy
• North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein
• Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt
• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox
• Vermont Gov. Phil Scott

The NGA chair, vice chair and executive committee are elected each July to supervise NGA's operations on behalf of the entire membership of 55 governors. NGA's executive committee has general authority over all policy issues and primary jurisdiction over issues involving federalism and elevating the essential perspective of governors and states.

"NGA is stepping into a new era - where governors have a strong voice in the national debate, states have a real seat at the table, and we work across party lines to deliver practical solutions for all Americans," NGA Chair Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. "I am honored to work with the new executive committee as chair, and I am confident that when we put our heads together we will show that government still works, bipartisan leaders still deliver, and service will save us."

"States are a laboratory for great ideas to better serve the American people, and the NGA is an opportunity for Governors to share notes and work together to make our states stronger," said NGA Vice Chair Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. "I'm eager to get to work on solutions and look forward to working with my fellow Governors to make our states and country better."

To begin the day, Gov. Moore joined outgoing NGA chair Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox for a tour of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, which serves to honor "those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever" by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Retired chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court Steven Taylor, the presiding judge in the state trial of the co-conspirator of the Oklahoma City bombing, and Kari Watkins, president and chief executive officer of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, guided the tour, which showcased the museum's interactive storytelling and educational programming to inform visitors about events surrounding the bombing and to uplift stories of inspiration and hope among those affected.

During the visit, the governors also learned about the Oklahoma Standard, which was born out of the outpouring of community support in the aftermath of the bombing. Under the core tenets of acts of service, honor, and kindness, the Oklahoma Standard has since been established as a statewide initiative to preserve and promote a culture of caring citizens.

To mark the launch of Gov. Moore's NGA Chair's campaign "Service United," former NGA chair and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchison moderated two "Reflections on Service" panel discussions with outgoing governors: the first with Govs. Laura Kelly (Kansas) and Tim Walz (Minnesota), and the second with Govs. Kevin Stitt (Oklahoma) and Mark Gordon (Wyoming).

The conversations focused not only on the leaders' time serving as governors, but also on the ways service positively impacts life, leadership and career. The governors also reflected on what service will mean after they leave office early next year.

"Public service, when you have a passion for it, leads you into the governor's office. But then, after you finish the governor's office, your desire to help and make a difference in life doesn't change," said Former NGA Chair and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchison.

"I was actually born into a career military family, so service was every day, all day in my household, so moving into public service was sort of a natural growth," said Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.

"There's a natural human tendency to gravitate toward making someone's life better. Being part of something bigger than yourself," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. "The knowledge and experience I have gained belongs to the people of Minnesota. You have to find a way to give that back to them."

"I look forward to going back to the private sector, but whether you're in business or public service, I think we want to work with our friends, and we like leaving our community better than we found it," said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.

"When I talk to young people thinking about political careers, I always tell them the same thing: get out, get real experience, and take your time, learn stuff. Because everything you learn is valuable once you get into government, and I think it's really important that we get every young person engaged," said Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon.

NGA's website maintains a resource about past NGA chairs.

The following resources provide more information about the 2026 NGA Summer Meeting, including additional details about Gov. Moore's 2026-2027 chair's campaign "Service United:"

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Launches "Service United" Campaign to Bridge Community Divides and Promote Workforce Development with $10 Million in Philanthropic Support
• NGA "Common Ground" Town Hall in Partnership with NBC News at 2026 Summer Meeting in Oklahoma City
• NGA, Dignity.Us Launch Center for Dignity in Politics to Strengthen Democratic Leadership and Promote Civil Discourse
• NGA Summer Meeting Begins in Oklahoma City