To our outgoing Council: Thank you for your service!

The Government Social Media professional association is served by a group of elected volunteer advisors representing six regions across the United States. Election results were recently announced for the Northwest, Midwest and Northeast regions.

Contributed by Kristy Dalton, GSM founder and executive director of the professional association

The time has come yet again to bid farewell to three outstanding regional representatives, whose contributions have left a lasting impression on the GSM professional association. I’d like to give a heartfelt thank-you to Andrew Belanger, Katie Grant and Marie Tweedy!

Under their leadership, the association grew even more–to over 600 members, including our expansion to Canada! Working alongside Team GSM and council members Frances La Rue, Mikayla Moskov, and Zack Seipert, who continue their terms, the council contributed to the success of our annual Government Social Media Conference–the 2024 event surpassed all expectations, which led to an early sell-out of in-person tickets. 

Each council member gave insights on how to grow the association and GSMCON’s program to meet the evolving needs of government social media professionals everywhere, managed the association member meeting, and contributed to their region’s experience at the event. Additionally, they continued to lead peers in monthly SocialGov Roundup webinars, helped establish the members in transition policy and energetically led regional virtual meetups.

Representing the Northeast Region, Andrew Belanger of the State of Michigan led with a passion for community engagement and growth during his tenure as Membership Council President. His co-leadership of the Membership Committee was marked by insightful changes, including reigniting the yearly membership survey, a crucial tool for understanding and meeting the needs of our members. Andrew rallied the Northeast, which was reflected in a significant increase in region membership and a renewed interest of region members serving in leadership positions. His leadership of the council embodies a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and strengthening the bonds between members.

Katie Grant, from the Midwest Region, brought a meticulous and thoughtful approach to the Golden Post Awards program. Serving as the Awards Committee co-chair, she provided expert direction to grow our yearly recognition program honoring outstanding use of social media by government agencies. Her efforts in refining eligibility questions, hosting the ceremony and tireless collaboration with GSM and committee colleagues have solidified the integrity and prestige of the awards. Katie’s leadership as Vice-President during her first year on the council was marked by tremendous dedication to the organization and her colleagues. We are confident Katie will excel in her new adventure in education communications and wish her continued success!

Marie Tweedy of the Northwest Region and King County DNRP demonstrated her unwavering commitment to the education and professional development of social media professionals in government by playing a pivotal role in revamping the Government Social Media 101 Workshop. This foundational offering has equipped countless socialgovs with the critical tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to excel in their roles and effectively serve their communities. As the Training Committee co-chair, Marie’s leadership and dedication to high-quality training will leave a lasting legacy, ensuring the continued growth and success of the socialgov community for years to come.  

We are deeply grateful to Andrew, Katie, and Marie for their leadership, innovation, and tireless efforts. They have laid a strong foundation for the incoming representatives of the Northeast, Midwest, and Northwest regions, and their legacy will undoubtedly inspire continued excellence in our broader government social media community.

Meet the Author

Kristy Dalton
Founder & CEO - Government Social Media LLC

Kristy Dalton is known for creating the largest network of government social media professionals, following her own service in local government for 10 years. She founded the Government Social Media Conference and she serves as the executive director of the first professional association for public sector social media. 

Government Social Media empowers government professionals to achieve mastery in social media through conferences, online training, and professional association membership.

Best communicate with the public you serve and get connected with fellow socialgovs by registering for the 2025 Government Social Media Conference happening in the Orlando-area and virtually from wherever you are! Join our free network for bi-weekly Government Social Media Chats or professional association for member-only webinars. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on training, events and more.