NAGTAD had its beginnings in the early 1980’s. On September 14, 1980 a conference was hosted in Charleston, SC, by the National Governor’s Association and the states of Arkansas and South Carolina. The conference was designed for state training managers and administrators for the purpose of considering the organization of a national body for training managers. Thirty-eight states were represented at the conference; thirty-seven states endorsed the concept to form an association which they titled NASTADD – the National Association of State Training and Development Directors.
A NASTADD Executive Committee was formed with representatives from South Carolina, Michigan, Connecticut, Washington, Arkansas, and Wisconsin. Anita Curtis, from the State of Arkansas, served as first president. This new organization was tasked to do two things: set up a network of state training directors providing them a vehicle to communicate both formally and informally, and, organize a self funded annual conference for members. In September 1981, the total membership met in New Orleans to adopt a new constitution and bylaws.
During the early 1980’s, NASTADD had the verbal support of The National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE), the National Governor’s Association (NGA), and the Council of State Governments (CSG). Training fell in and out of priority status within those organizations leaving NASTADD to carry on with primary support coming from association members and annual conference host states carrying some of the costs.
At a NASTADD general business meeting on September 17, 1986, the membership voted unanimously to become a cooperating organization with the Council of State Governments (CSG). For a time, CSG handled administrative and clerical matters for NASTADD. The association with CSG heightened NASTADD’s visibility and in 1990, 39 states had paid membership dues.
In 1992, the membership voted to change the focus and name of NASTADD to the National Association for Government Training and Development Directors (NAGTADD). This was done to attract training and development professionals from all levels of government – city, county, state, and federal.
In 1996, the Association further changed their focus and name by eliminating the “director” membership requirement and became NAGTAD – the National Association for Government Training and Development, allowing training and development professionals at all levels to join the association. Over the last several years, NAGTAD has placed a strong emphasis on networking and has invited opportunities to partner with other associations; among the more recent opportunities is a closer association with the National Certified Public Manager Consortium and the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.
CSG no longer provides administrative services for NAGTAD. In recent years, NAGTAD has been administered through various administrative associations. Currently, NAGTAD’s Executive Director is Connie Pratt. Contact information for Ms. Pratt is listed on this web site under Headquarters.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
