(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today named Nikki Guilford to head the State of Ohio’s new office in Washington, D.C. Guilford is currently the Director of NGA (National Governors Association) Consulting. Guilford will start her new position with the state in June.
“I am pleased to announce that Nikki Guilford will be the director of the state of Ohio’s Washington Office,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Not only has Nikki worked for two Ohio governors, she has also been a key member of the senior management team at the National Governors Association for the past 13 years. Her knowledge of state and federal issues will be a tremendous asset to the DeWine-Husted Administration.”
Nikki spent more than 12 years in the legislative and executive branches of state government, including seven years as the Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. In this role, she managed the business arm of state government to include statewide human resources, collective bargaining, procurement, construction, real estate, information technology, and equal opportunity. Additionally, she has served on two gubernatorial transition teams and large government reorganization projects.
As the director of NGA Consulting, she supports governors and their senior staff by providing guidance and best practices regarding leadership and management of state government, as well as the organization, operation, and staffing of the governor’s office. As NGA’s primary liaison to governors’ chiefs of staff, Nikki provides on-site tailored consulting and organizes an annual series of professional development seminars for governors’ senior staff. Guilford also coordinates and manages the NGA biennial Seminar for New Governors.
Guilford holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the Ohio State University. She resides in Annapolis, MD.