AG Zoeller named ‘Attorney General of the Year’ by national AG group 

Zoeller’s leadership team also earns high honors

INDIANAPOLIS – The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) honored Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller with its 2015 Kelley-Wyman Award, also known as “Attorney General of the Year” Award during its annual conference.

The Kelley-Wyman Award is the association’s highest honor given each year to the state attorney general who exemplifies and helps forward the objectives of NAAG. It is named in honor of former Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley and former New Hampshire Attorney General Louis Wyman.

“Greg (Zoeller) certainly demonstrates the collegial and collaborative efforts that NAAG strives to facilitate among its membership,” said Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, the outgoing president of NAAG, during the award presentation. “He has distinguished himself among his peers by consistently advancing the direction, leadership and purpose of NAAG.”

AG Hood recognized Zoeller’s numerous leadership roles within NAAG. Zoeller serves as chair of the NAAG Midwestern Region and is a member of the NAAG Executive Committee. He is also chair of the Tobacco Committee and Federalism/Preemption Committee, as well as an active member of the Consumer Protection, Human Trafficking, and Training committees.

“It is an honor to receive this award from my fellow state attorneys general,” Zoeller said. “The training, collaboration and resources NAAG facilitates is instrumental to my work as attorney general of Indiana and has helped me and my staff immensely in defending and protecting Hoosiers. It has been a worthwhile endeavor to work cooperatively with our national association that serves consumers in our state and other states.”

Zoeller was selected to receive this award by a committee of state attorneys general. As one attorney general noted in a recommendation, “Greg Zoeller represents the highest examples of an attorney’s general sense of justice, fairness and strength.”

Zoeller’s leadership staff was also honored by NAAG this year. Staci Schneider, Chief of Staff for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, received the Senior Staff of the Year Award. This award is given each year to a management-level AG staff member who has provided exceptional service to NAAG and the attorneys general through exemplary leadership, expertise and achievement.

“Staci is a modest force in the AG community, and a capable manager and leader,” said Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden during the award presentation. “Since she started in her chief of staff role in 2009, Staci’s professionalism, communications expertise, and strategic planning have had a significant and far-reaching impact not only in her office, but also within NAAG.”

Schneider previously served as Communications Director in former Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter’s administration before becoming Chief of Staff for AG Zoeller’s office.

NAAG represents 56 state and territorial attorneys general. This year’s awards were presented during its annual Summer Meeting, held June 16-18.