Salute to county leaders: Tammy Pearson

Key Takeaways

Beaver County, Utah Commissioner Tammy Pearson often drove hours to an airport to then fly across the country to advocate for public lands counties in Washington, D.C. 

With that journey in mind, she became a driving force behind bringing congressional staffers from offices and committees with jurisdiction over public lands to Utah through a congressional briefing trip so they could see the scope of the interaction between federal and county governments and see up-close what life is like in a public lands county. 

That August tour became a model for NACo’s Federal Fellowship program. 

The Western Interstate Region recognized her in 2022 with the Dale Sowards Award, noting her excellence in public lands advocacy.

How were you introduced to NACo? 

Once I joined the county commission and started going to state association meetings, UAC is such a strong supporter of NACo that they made sure everyone who wanted could attend conferences to talk about legislative issues on a national level. That’s where my heart and soul is, anything to do with public lands. 

What concerns and perspectives from Beaver County did you bring into the national conversation?

The wild horse and burro issue, the overpopulation that’s overwhelming the environment and water sources. 

Not every Western state is affected, but the ones who are have a real challenge, with a heavy impact on our grazing lands. That’s why I ran for office in the first place.

What excited you about working on the national level?

So many of our local issues are decided on a federal basis in the West. But not only do you work with your congressional delegation, but the chance to pass resolutions and platform changes for NACo policy is very meaningful. 

It’s a chance to unify the counties on an issue, and it’s in our platform how we will advocate, and it helps give anyone a roadmap for how we can work with the federal government to improve conditions for counties. 

What did you learn about counties in other parts of the country different than your own?

I think, I think that counties have a unique perspective on management. We all basically agree that the government closer to the people and on the ground is most effective. You don’t always see direct comparisons between rural and urban counties, but you listen and learn because some day you might have a chance to tell someone something about what counties are facing whether they’re rural or urban. 

What is the most unlikely relationship you made through NACo?

[Coconino County, Ariz. Supervisor] Lena Fowler and I probably very different politically, but that all dissolves when you’re working on the specific issues rural counties deal with. Fires and flooding and emergencies don’t see red and blue. 

How should a new county official wade into federal advocacy?

Find that issue that means a lot to you and your county and jump on in. Start by listening more than you speak, then speaking up when you have something to say. 

Be the champion your county deserves. You don’t benefit your county by sitting at home inside county lines. 

What’s your favorite NACo memory?

The networking and camaraderie. I’ve got friends in some of the biggest cities and counties in the whole nation and we’re able to communicate because our concern is not only the betterment of our own county but that we share in that responsibility.