Commissioner Eric Coleman is new President of the National Association of Counties

Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman (D-23rd District) has been elected President of the National Association of Counties (NACo) for 2007-2008. 

NACo is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States.  NACo advances issues before the federal government and assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions to common problems. 

At the top of President Coleman’ s agenda is partnering with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to fight child sexual exploitation in all 50 states.  The partnership will seek to engage communities through a diverse alliance of stakeholders,  led by local elected officials, to show people across the U.S. how they can protect children from becoming victims of sexual exploitation.

Another priority for President Coleman is solving the problem of children aging out of the Foster Care system.  His foster care initiative will raise awareness among county officials nationwide about the plight of young adults who become too old to stay in foster care.  His initiative also will identify the best practices of counties that support these individuals as they transition to independent adulthood, and to share these best practices with all levels of government.  Mr. Coleman will also strive to enlist county officials in a call to action to take leadership roles and help solve the problem.

“There’s no doubt that the voice of America’s counties will be heard in Washington with these strong advocates of local government and communities leading our association over the next twelve months,” stressed Commissioner Coleman.

After being sworn in as NACo President, Mr. Coleman appointed two Oakland County Commission colleagues to leadership positions in NACo.

President Coleman appointed Commissioner Mattie M. Hatchett (D-10th District) to Chair the Annual Conference Advisory Committee.  He also appointed her to be an “at-large” member of the NACo Board of Directors.

Mr. Coleman also appointed fellow Oakland County Commissioner Mike Rogers (R-14th District) as a Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee.

Both Commissioners Hatchett and Rogers will serve in their appointed positions until Commissioner Coleman’s term as President of NACo ends next year.  In addition to his two local colleagues, Mr. Coleman appointed Macomb County Commissioner Joan Flynn to be a Vice Chair on the Health Committee.

            FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NACo, click here.