Presidential Spotlight: County Storytellers
During his inaugural remarks at the 2025 NACo Annual Conference, President J.D. Clark outlined his presidential spotlight, “County Storytellers.” The spotlight, inspired by the importance of county leadership, will explore the art and science of powerful, purposeful stories.
“We are the storytellers. And our story is still being written.”
– NACo President J.D. Clark
A Year of Storytelling
Throughout the year, we’ll spotlight counties telling stories with purpose and pride. We’ll share techniques, hear from local officials using storytelling to drive progress and explore how stories can break through the noise.
Key Moments
July 2025: Launch of storytelling campaign, “Voices of NACo at 90”
December 4-6, 2025: County Storytellers Symposium, Wise County, Texas
February-July 2026: Conference workshops & webinars on storytelling
April 2026: County News Hot Topic on County Storytellers
County News
J.D. Clark takes office as NACo president
J.D. Clark stressed the importance of telling the county story as he took office as NACo president.
Conference
2025 Fall Board of Directors Meeting and County Storytellers Symposium
Under the leadership of National Association of Counties (NACo) President JD Clark, the 2025 NACo Storytellers Symposium and Fall Board of Directors Meeting will convene county leaders in Wise County, Texas December 4–6, 2025.
J.D. Clark reflects on his year as NACo president
Wise County, Texas Judge J.D. Clark found a theme throughout all of his experiences as NACo president: "The common thread is the work, not the politics. People who serve at the county level are in it because they’re interested in results and solutions."
Salute to county leaders: Jim Willox
Converse County, Wyo. Commissioner Jim Willox found a lot in common with his urban county colleagues when he led the Transportation Policy Steering Committee.
A Government Close Enough to Touch
NACo CEO Matt Chase writes, "Self-government, including at the county level, has always carried a necessary tension: how do we balance the collective good and the rights of individuals?"
Salute to county leaders: Calvin Ball
Calvin Ball’s appointment to the Howard County, Md. Council in 2006 launched a county government leadership career that will have lasted more than 20 years when he leaves office after two terms as the county’s first African American executive.
2026 Fall Board of Directors Meeting and Building Better Futures: A County Leaders' Symposium on Youth Outcomes
Hosted by NACo Incoming President George Dunlap as part of his presidential spotlight, in partnership with NACo’s Board of Directors and Large Urban County Caucus, the event will focus on practical strategies and collaborative approaches that counties can advance at the local level—from proven prevention and early intervention models to cross-sector partnerships that align resources and expand opportunity.