Putting Service Before Self: After 32 years mentoring staff and counseling lawmakers, NCSL Staff Chair Martha Wigton is set to retire.

• Author: South, Holly
• Position: LEGISLATIVE STAFF PROFILE

Martha Wigton remembers the days in her career when she was the only woman in the room.

Now, after 32 years of legislative service, and with retirement set for year's end, Wigton recalls that era with pride. "Thankfully, times are changing," she says. "It's slow, but we're making progress."

Wigton has worked for the Georgia General Assembly since 1991, first in the lieutenant governor's office as executive assistant for policy and budget, and later as chief of staff. (In Georgia, the lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate and presides over debate in the chamber.) For the past 11 years, Wigton has served as director of the House Budget and Research Office, where she provides policy and fiscal analysis to 180 House members as well as the professional staff of all 38 legislative standing committees. For the last two years, she has served as NCSL's staff chair.

Wigton has only praise for her staff's perseverance and dedication to the legislative institution and its work. "They're not in it for the limelight--but they are in it to win it," she says. "Our office has been implementing great innovations. We're pioneering the legislature of the future by teaching and engaging with the public in new ways."

Anne Sappenfield, director of the Wisconsin Legislative Council and NCSL's current staff vice chair, says Wigton's leadership style has generated enthusiasm and innovation among staffers nationwide. "I have really appreciated how open she is to different approaches. She listens well, and her decisions reflect how carefully she listens to and considers a variety of viewpoints."

Making a Difference

Throughout her career, Wigton has relished working on issues "where you're making a difference in the everyday lives of your neighbors, the people who teach your kids, the guy who serves you waffles." She's especially proud of her work on a law requiring all children under 8 to be in a booster seat when riding in a car, a health care program for uninsured kids and the creation of the Georgia Lottery.

"These are some big and sweeping issues," Wigton says. "I can tell myself I've done some good."

Following a 1 louse resolution this session honoring Wigton, Rep. Terry England, chairman of me House Appropriations Committee, described Wigton as a "rock, not just for me but every one of you sitting out there as well. There's no bigger fan and no bigger advocate for state employees, and no bigger advocate, quite frankly, for the citizens of...