Profiles in Service

Kathryn Barger

Board Member
County Supervisor
Los Angeles County, Calif.

Number of years involved in NACo: Nearly three years

Years in public service: Over 30 years

Occupation: Los Angeles County Supervisor

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University

The hardest thing I’ve ever done is: Running for office for the first time — a challenge that was well worth it! I am so honored to represent an incredible district and I am passionate about providing my constituents with quality programs and responsive service.

Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: I would invite great historic figures whose leadership helped guide our world through tough times — Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Margaret Thatcher.

A dream I have is to: Finally ensure those with mental illness get the life-saving care they need.

You’d be surprised to learn: I never planned to seek elective office but after many years in public service, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

I’m most proud of: The many partnerships we have developed in our cities and unincorporated areas. Results come from people working together in a cooperative, nonpartisan way to solve problems and improve the quality of life for our constituents.

Every morning I read: All the local news.

My favorite meal is: Anything Mexican and spicy!

My pet peeve is: Tardiness. It shows disrespect. Being late says to others that you think your time is more valuable than their time.

My motto is: Respect others and choose your battles.

The last book I read was: Measure What Matters by John Doerr

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Walk the famous Camino de Santiago in Spain.

My favorite movie is: Romantic comedies like The Holiday always fit the bill

My favorite music: Songs like “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest.

My favorite U.S. president: The great communicator, Ronald Reagan

My district is a NACo member because: Counties matter and counties need to work together to move our communities and our nation forward to a prosperous future for current and future generations.

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.