June 17, 2021

The CSAC William “Bill” Chiat Institute for Excellence in County Service (CSAC Institute) was honored this week to accept the 2020 Chester A. Newland Academic Excellence Award from the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) for demonstrating leadership and making noteworthy contributions to the education of public administrators.

“The CSAC Institute was one of, if not the very first, educational programs designed with County leaders in mind. It has become a model nationwide for continuing education for local government leaders and The Institute’s work very much aligns with the lifetime of commitment by Professor Chet Newland to advancing public service,” said CSAC Institute instructor and ASPA Past President Rich Callahan. “Despite recent challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the passing of Dean Bill Chiat, The CSAC Institute has successfully navigated adversity to continue providing leadership tools and instruction for County leaders. The tenacity and dedication of the California Counties Foundation Board, faculty and staff are worthy of accolades far beyond this recognition.”

The award recognizes the CSAC Institute for its achievement in educating public officials and agency staff for more than a decade through collaborative educational initiatives. The CSAC Institute’s dedication to advancing excellence and transparency and its noteworthy contributions to public administration are among the many reasons why the chapter, and Dr. Chester Newland, were so pleased to recognize the organization.

“Thank you, ASPA, for recognizing the CSAC Institute and its contributions to public administration at the local level over the last decade. It is truly thanks to the tenacity and dedication of the California Counties Foundation Board, faculty and staff — especially CSAC Foundation Director of Operations & Educational Programs Chastity Benson and CSAC Institute Administrative Assistant Olviya Vataman —that the Institute is the premier educational powerhouse it is today,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “We look forward to ongoing innovation in County leadership and policy development as we continue to serve our membership and evolve as a resource for County leaders for generations to come.”

On hand for the presentation were (left to right) Richard Callahan, CSAC Institute instructor and ASPA Past President; Richard Hill, ASPA Chapter Historian & Secretary; Juliet Lee, ASPA Past President; Graham Knaus, CSAC Executive Director; Chastity Benson, Director of Operations & Educational Programs, CSAC Foundation; Jim Gladfalter, Bill’s Husband; Olviya Vataman, CSAC Institute Administrative Assistant; Manuel Rivas, Jr., Deputy Executive Director, CSAC Operations and Member Services; Randi Kay Stephens, ASPA Past President and Senior Program Manager for the Institute for Local Government.