Bob Dixon - candidate platform - 2025

Bob Dixon

Greene County, Mo. commissioner

To my fellow public servants,

If there’s one thing experience has taught me, it’s that county leadership rarely looks like standing at the front of the room to be honored - more often, leadership means opening doors for others to walk through, listening to the voices and wisdom of others, and dedicating time to understanding complex problems so one can act decisively with confidence.

I’m Bob Dixon, and I am asking for your support as the next Second Vice President of the National Association of Counties.

The spirit of leadership I’ve tried to embody throughout my career is based upon the idea of bringing people together to get things done.  In almost three decades of public service, first in the Missouri House, then in the Missouri Senate, and now serving in a second term as the Presiding Commissioner of Greene County, Missouri, I have learned to listen intently, to consider the voices of many, to think deeply and reflectively, and only then to act with determination and resolve. If one wants to lead and actually get things done, you must first be willing to serve.

So, as you consider placing your complete trust in me now, remember, I know firsthand that serving in public office looks incredibly different depending on where you serve.

Whether you’re leading in a rural county with limited broadband or an urban center grappling with infrastructure strain and complex systems, the challenges are real, and it’s never a “one-size-fits-all” situation.  That’s why I value the richness of our NACo organization and its collective perspective—and it’s why I’m committed to building bridges and maintaining the strength of our organization.

The elected leaders and members of NACo are not gatekeepers who guard power, but gate attendants—leaders who must look ahead, forge paths, and open doors for others. When we join efforts, and we can walk in agreement, we lead with confidence, and we thrive together. And we create processes where we can lift every voice in our distinctly different communities, regardless of ZIP code or size, with intention and integrity.

And let me assure you, I am not speaking to you only of lofty ideals. Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of serving in demanding roles, with responsibilities entrusted to me that required both grounded decision-making, and the humility to know when to listen, and how to deeply value the wisdom of others. I have been fortunate to be mentored and befriended, and because of this I have benefitted from the broad wisdom of community leaders, business owners, and nonprofit voices from all walks of life at local, state, and national levels.

Because I have been willing to act decisively and to lead respectfully, I have a proven and award-winning record of getting things done. For instance, in the Missouri legislature, I was chosen to be Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, serving as the first non-attorney in that post since 1830!  And from this position, I shepherded a multi-year process of generational and comprehensive reforms to Missouri’s Criminal Code and judicial circuits for the first time in over 35 years.

One vital NACo function is advocacy for our counties at the Federal level. In my decades of service, I have built strong relationships with members of Congress- these types of relationships will prove to be critical in the years ahead as we speak up for essential services, programs, and funding. As your Second Vice President, I will continue to lead at the National level to assure our voices are heard, and respected.

None of this happens in a vacuum. It happens when we trust one another - when we come to the table not with egos but with shared purpose - when we recognize that being temperamentally grounded and open to diverse perspectives is not a weakness but a strength that leads to real, sustained outcomes. That’s the kind of collaboration I’m offering today.

I welcome your support, your ideas, and your guidance. Whether we’ve served side by side before or you’re just getting familiar with the work we are committed to doing, know this: my door is always open.

My record is one of building consensus, honoring trust, and working toward practical solutions that serve real people. I am eager to continue our work—with you at NACo. Together, we can model a kind of leadership that is less about control and more about empowerment. Less about titles and more about transformation.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for the trust you place in one another. And thank you for considering how we will move forward together in agreement with shared purpose. I would appreciate your support, and I’ll guard your trust.

With respect and appreciation,

Bob Dixon

Presiding Commissioner

Greene County, Missouri