Profiles in Service

Debbie Wise

NACo Board of Directors
Circuit Clerk and Recorder
Randolph County, Ark.

Number of years involved in NACo: Five

Years in public service: 28

Occupation: Randolph County Circuit Clerk and Recorder

The hardest thing I’ve ever done is: Sit through court when there were children being abused and mistreated because of the parents being addicted to drugs or alcohol. Drug addiction plays such a big role in today’s society and it’s important for us to get help for the people who need it most whenever we can and never judge people based on their past experiences.

Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: My dad, John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln. I consider these three people inspirational figures that assist me with how I make decisions in my day-to-day life.

A dream I have is to: Run a café by the beach.

You’d be surprised to learn: I traveled a lot when I was growing up because both of my parents were in the military. Now, I’m proud to call Pocahontas, Ark. my forever home.

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Run for office all these years.

I’m most proud: That I was able to go from being a single mom with a high school diploma to being elected Randolph County Circuit Clerk since 1990; being elected president of the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) Executive Board, as well as becoming a member of the NACo Board. I’ll forever be thankful for the citizens of Randolph County, AAC and the NACo board for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve such an important role.

Every morning I read: Local newspapers and The New York Times

My favorite meal is: Any meal I get to eat with my family. I love to try new foods from different cultures.

My pet peeve is: Judgmental people. Judging and belittling people is never OK, no matter the circumstance.

My motto is: “Wisdom knows what to overlook.” — William James

The last book I read was: A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey

My favorite way to relax is to: Go to the movies and spend time with my grandkids.

My favorite movie is: True stories, drama and suspense movies

My favorite music: Anything I can dance to

My favorite U.S. president: Abraham Lincoln

My county is a NACo member because: It gives small counties the ability to learn new ideas and solutions that affect the state and county government at more than just a local level. It only takes one person to make a difference, but if we all come together to develop new solutions, we could make a difference not just in Arkansas, but within the nation.

Hero 1

Brown County, Ind. shows off its season leaves with a "leaf cam," in hopes of drawing visitors to see them in person.

During Doug Hill's tenure with CCAP, Pennsylvania counties' authority and responsibilities have expanded, particularly in the delivery of human services.

Maui County, Hawaii residents are testing their luck to see if they will be chosen during a lottery as part of the county’s First-Time Home Buyer’s Down Payment Assistance Program.

Greg Puckett saw character drain from his downtown while he was growing up. As an adult, he met an artist who could help bring it, and his county's economic vitality, back.

Adams County, Colo. looked for a way to make its airport distinctive from Denver's. The answer was to aim for the stars by becoming a spaceport.

Giving county officials a first-hand look at the immigration process is the first step toward advocating for meaningful reforms to the system.

Everything we do is creating influence and our legacy.

Nick Crossley Board Member Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency Hamilton County, Ohio Number of years involved in NACo: 13

How often have you been disengaged because you saw others disengaged? How often have you said or thought that you’re not going to give 100 percent of your skills and abilities because you think your boss is an idiot, your team is just not worth it or you’re not getting paid enough or don’t have the right title or it’s just not worth your time?

During Doug Hill's tenure with CCAP, Pennsylvania counties' authority and responsibilities have expanded, particularly in the delivery of human services.

Everything we do is creating influence and our legacy.

Nick Crossley Board Member Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency Hamilton County, Ohio Number of years involved in NACo: 13

Learn how workforce boards can use the flexibility of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to rethink workforce policies and invest resources to create a future-forward workforce system, while hearing best practice examples from both urban and rural counties and regions.

Incivility in the workplace isn’t just disruptive – it’s a productivity and engagement killer that costs organizations millions of dollars annually, drives employee departures and can even cause stress-related illnesses. Why is it so common – and how do you combat it? Join Dr.

Elected officials are faced with difficult topics, conflicting solutions, and multiple stakeholders every day. Do you have the skills to successfully negotiate solutions? This seminar examines the art and science behind finding consensus and explores methods and strategies to address challenging public issues.