Presidential Spotlight: County Storytellers

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?"

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. 

NACo CEO Matt Chase writes: "Counties did not ask to be on the front lines of the AI era. But we are.  The power demands, the water use, the land battles, the tax base, the workforce changes, the pressure for public services — all of it lands on us first." 

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.

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. 

Larry Waters has served 12 terms as mayor of Sevier County, Tenn., starting when he was a 25-year-old school principal. 

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.