2017 GRS Steering Committee Candidates

Below are the candidates for the 2 vacant positions to serve on the GRS Steering Committee for the 2017-2019 term. Following standing tradition, the candidate with the most votes will be asked to serve as Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect.

Name: Jessica Knox-Jensen
Institution: California State Archives
Government Sector: State 

Statement of Interest:

I am interested in serving on the Government Records Steering Committee because I am committed to increasing awareness of the importance of government records.  The preservation and accessibility of government records ensures the accountability of our public figures, and documents the policy decisions that will influence future generations of a democratic society.  Government records are often characterized as less glamorous or interesting than other types of records, and I would like to work to dispel that particular myth, as I have had a rewarding career working to document state government history.  I would also like to contribute to conversations about the issues that affect archivists who care for government records, like public accessibility, issues surrounding restricted records or information that is exempt from public disclosure, funding for programs that seek to preserve government records, etc.  I am eager to explore the possibility of establishing  collaborative partnerships with other government records archivists, and to raise the profile of government records archivists among our peers.  I have an extensive amount of experience coordinating professional committees and task forces for local and regional organizations, and I would like to exercise those skills on a national scale as part of the Government Records Steering Committee.  I am also a firm believer in the value of professional service, so I am looking forward to making contributions to the Society of American Archivists and connecting with other archivists who are active in the organization.

Name: Christopher Magee
Institution: National Archives and Records Administration
Government Sector: Federal

Statement of Interest: 

Whether created by local, state, or national organizations, government records impact us all. They protect our rights, hold officials accountable, and document our history. However, we are in a time of transition. Not only are we faced with diminishing resources, government organizations are creating records in greater volumes and the public is expecting near instant access to that information. While daunting, these challenges are not insurmountable. As a member of the Government Records Section Steering Committee, I will work to increase ways we can collaborate to solve these issues. I will also commit to hosting quarterly programs that address common challenges we all face. I look forward to working with you.

Name: Alan C. Burns
Institution: Clemson University Special Collections & Archives
Government Sector: Federal

Statement of Interest: Given the opportunity I would like to serve my profession in a meaningful way, working with other archivists to improve methods and provide solutions.

Name: Mary Jo Scott
Institution: Alabama Department of Archives and History
Government Sector: State 

Statement of Interest:

I am currently the Assistant Director for the Archives Division at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.  I have worked in the state archives for over 25 years in many capacities, including records management, collections processing, reference, and outreach. Throughout my career I have seen the impact that government archives have on those that we serve.  As government archivists, we have done more with less when funding is down; been there for constituents who have lost vital records when disaster struck; assisted middle school students as they took their first steps into primary research; reached out to underserved communities to demonstrate that their voice is a vital part of the record we preserve; worked quickly to preserve records from government agencies that have been disbanded; and become vocal advocates for our archives and other members of the archival community.  I believe passionately that what we do makes a difference in our country, our states, and our communities.  Being a member of the steering committee would make it possible for me to be more involved in the archival community, to assist with ensuring that we would have a strong voice in SAA, and to examine ways that the section could reach out to all government archives.