NASCLA Staff - National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies

NASCLA Staff

Angie Whitaker, CAE, Executive Director

Angie Whitaker serves as the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) Executive Director. Angie has worked for the association since February 2003. During this time with the association she has had the opportunity to work firsthand with the NASCLA Executive Officers, Board of Directors, Committees, and Members. Angie graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communications in December 1999. Angie received her Master Certificate in Business Management from Tulane University Freeman School of Business and has received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification through the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Angie is active with the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (FARB) and is a FARB Governing Member. Angie also is a member of the Arizona Society of Association Executives (AzSAE) where she has served in many leadership capacities as the former President, Past President, Vice President and Board of Director. Also, she is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Council on Licensure Enforcement & Regulation (CLEAR).

Examinations & Publications	Programs & Events
Leslie Farrell, Examinations & Publications Director Leslie Farrell, who joined NASCLA in July 2021, oversees the Examinations & Publications Department. She develops and implements project plans, outreach tactics, and strategic initiatives in collaboration with the Executive Director and Programs & Events Manager. With a background spanning 19 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks and diverse experience including Disney’s Wide World of Sports and the United States Olympic Committee, Leslie ensures the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management editions are updated to provide top-notch service to NASCLA State Members, Testing Providers, and Vendors. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Kansas and a Master's degree in Sports Administration & Facility Management from Ohio University.	Kirsten Zacharias, Strategy Director Kirsten Zacharias, originally from the Midwest, moved to Arizona in 2000 and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Communication. Her career began in hospitality, showcasing her strong organizational skills. In 2011, she joined NASCLA as a Program Coordinator, steadily advancing to roles like Program Manager and Board/Committee Liaison until 2018. Following a relocation, she worked as a Project Implementation Manager for Aspen Dental until 2022. With the onset of the pandemic and technological advancements, Kirsten seized the opportunity to return to NASCLA as the Strategy Director. In this capacity, she spearheads strategic initiatives across the association, collaborating closely with leadership to drive success in areas such as membership, education, partnerships, and overall development.
Jacquie Wilberscheid, Operations Manager Jacquie joined NASCLA in April 2013, holding various roles including Publications Coordinator, Meetings & Special Projects Coordinator, Education Manager, Senior Examinations & Publications Specialist, and currently serves as Operations Manager. Her main responsibilities include optimizing office operations, streamlining workflows, and ensuring effective implementation of key processes. Jacquie supports the Examinations & Publications Director in overseeing the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program and collaborates on special association projects. She also ensures the timely updates of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management editions to enhance customer service. Jacquie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis from Adams State University, where she played Division II softball.	Sarah Sullivan, Programs & Events Manager Sarah joined NASCLA in September 2022 and oversees the planning and leadership of NASCLA's Annual Conference, Board of Directors mid-year meetings, committee meetings, educational programming and events, Scholarship Program and NASCLA's training programs. Sarah brings 10 years of program and project management and over 18 years of managing teams. Most recently Sarah was in Business and Technology Consulting and prior to that was in non-profit management. In her previous roles, Sarah has led the creation of a middle and high school financial literacy curriculum that has been adopted nationally by Junior Achievement. In addition to her work commitments, Sarah currently serves as a Board Member for the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona, a mission close to her heart. Growing up in Mesa, Arizona, Sarah is a proud Arizona State Sun Devil where she studied Psychology with an emphasis on African Studies.
Catherine Peach, Visual Content and Project Specialist Catherine rejoined NASCLA in November 2023, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous roles with NASCLA between 2016 and 2019. Catherine oversees new member and membership renewal processes, creates various graphics for programs and events, manages website updates and IT services, and provides crucial administrative support for publication distribution, application processing, and numerous association projects. Outside of her NASCLA experience, Catherine has a diverse background as a freelance digital artist and graphic designer, transcriber, and customer service professional. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies: Culture, Literature, Film and the Arts as well as a minor in Spanish from the University of Arizona.	Windsor Smith, Programs & Events Specialist Windsor joined NASCLA in June of 2024 after nearly a decade working as an Emmy Award winning TV News Producer. She's a graduate of Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication where she received her bachelor's and master's degree concurrently. She also received a certification in Special Events Management from ASU. She brings her organizational and project management skills to the team to help with overseeing the social media, marketing and communication plan along with coordination and execution of conferences, meetings, training, and educational opportunities. In addition to her work commitments, she serves as a Governor on the Rocky Mountain Emmy's board, secretary of the Xavier College Preparatory Alumnae Board and is active in several other location organizations.
Tia Simpson, Project & Customer Solutions Specialist Tia joined NASCLA in October of 2022. Her primary responsibilities are to provide publications distribution and coordination, working in the online bookstore and corresponding with candidates who have questions regarding the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program. Additionally, she provides administrative support including customer service calls and vendor communication, along with association projects as assigned in the areas of publication and examinations. Prior to working with NASCLA, Tia graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design. Her previous roles include working as an Event Assistant for Phoenix Fashion Week and a Promotions and Marketing Assistant for 106 Kix Radio Station. Along with her career at NASCLA, Tia dances for the Indoor Football League's Arizona Rattlers and works as a choreographer for local and national dance teams .