MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Thirteen states will participate in the inaugural FARB Centralized Regulatory Agency Leaders Circle during the 2026 FARB Summit on Regulatory Excellence, marking the launch of a first-of-its-kind national forum dedicated to collaboration among executive leaders of centralized professional licensing and regulatory agencies.
Created by the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (FARB), the Leaders Circle brings together agency directors, commissioners, secretaries, executive officers, and deputy leaders responsible for overseeing statewide professional licensing and regulatory programs. The initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration across jurisdictions, promote innovation, improve governmental efficiency, and advance regulatory excellence in the public interest.
"The most effective solutions to today's regulatory challenges will not be developed in isolation," said Mike Armstrong, President of FARB. "They will come from leaders who are willing to share ideas, challenge one another, and collaborate across jurisdictions. The Centralized Regulatory Agency Leaders Circle reflects FARB's commitment to fostering those conversations and advancing regulatory excellence for the benefit of the public we all serve."
The Leaders Circle was established in response to growing interest among agency executives for a dedicated forum to exchange ideas across professions and jurisdictions. While professional boards routinely collaborate within individual occupations, opportunities for executive leaders overseeing multiple regulatory programs to work together at a national level have been limited.
"The demands on regulatory agencies continue to grow as governments seek to deliver services more efficiently while maintaining strong public protections," said Julie Hildebrand, Executive Director of FARB. "The FARB Centralized Regulatory Agency Leaders Circle creates an opportunity for agency executives to share proven practices, explore innovative approaches, and learn from one another. By working together, states can improve regulatory effectiveness, increase governmental efficiency, and better serve both licensees and the public."
Interest in the initiative has exceeded expectations. While executives from 13 states will participate in the inaugural meeting, leaders from 24 states have already expressed interest in participating as the Leaders Circle expands through future meetings and collaborative initiatives. The inaugural participating states are as follows:
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies - Executive Director Patty Salazar
- Georgia Secretary of State, Division of the Professional Licensing Boards – Director Todd Zandrowicz
- Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Division Administrator Russell Barron
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Secretary Mario Treto Jr.
- Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation – Director Penny Vaillancourt
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs – Director Marlon Brown, DPA
- Minnesota Department of Commerce – Assistant Commissioner Sara Payne
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry – Commissioner Sarah Swanson
- New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification – Executive Director Dee Jurius
- Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing – Deputy Commissioner Mark Steinagle
- Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation – Director Jennifer Colin
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services – Secretary Dan Hereth
- Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs – Commissioner Nathalie Hodge
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