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.
Salute to County Leaders: Debbie Bell
Debbie Bell's trail to become Fremont County, Colo.'s first female commissioner started when she was 16 and suggested her father run for the commission, which prompted him to challenge her to do the same.
Salute to County Leaders: Greg Chilcott
Greg Chilcott ran for office in Ravalli County, Mont. when he was unhappy with the options, and he turned that motivation into a 24-year tenure as a commissioner that has included a major role in creating the National Center for Public Lands Counties.
Salute to county leaders: Larry Waters
Larry Waters has served 12 terms as mayor of Sevier County, Tenn., starting when he was a 25-year-old school principal.
Salute to county leaders: Mary Ann Borgeson
Mary Ann Borgeson has spent nearly 32 years as a member of the Douglas County, Neb. Board of Commissioners and will leave office at the end of the year.
Governing in the ‘attention economy’
NACo CEO Matt Chase writes: "County leaders face a new governing challenge: Reaching residents in a world where human attention has become the scarcest resource of all."
Salute to county leaders: Lenny Eliason
As NACo president in 2011-2012, Athens County, Ohio Commissioner Lenny Eliason started what became the Healthy Counties Innovation Council and capped off his year by hiring Matt Chase to succeed Larry Naake as executive director.