District 5 Supervisor, Lena Fowler, has been appointed to the NACo Board of Directors and as vice-chair of both the Rural Action Caucus and the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee. Courtesy photo.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County leaders received bipartisan presidential appointments to various federal advocacy committees at the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual conference earlier this week.
The conference is a gathering of representatives from over 3,000 counties to discuss federal policies that impact counties, attend workshops to share best practices, and collectively elevate county voices at the federal level. Coconino County appointments are in key federal advocacy areas that directly impact the relationship between the federal government and the County.
“NACo brings counties together to find solutions to shared challenges and improve the services we deliver every day,” said Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman. “Here in Coconino County, we’re proud to be leaders on the national stage who help shape policies that impact rural communities like ours. Through active roles on NACo committees, we’re making sure Coconino County’s voice is heard across the country and in Washington, D.C., and that the unique needs of our residents are front and center in national conversations.”
NACo’s President, Judge JD Clark, Republican of Wise County, TX, appointed, District 5 Supervisor, Lena Fowler, to the NACo Board of Directors and as vice-chair of both the Rural Action Caucus and the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee.
Coconino County Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman was appointed to serve as Vice-Chair of the Public Lands Policy Steering Committee, and Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar will serve as Vice-Chair of the Finance, Pensions, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
“It’s an honor to be reappointed to the NACo Board of Directors and to serve as Vice Chair of both the Rural Action Caucus and the Workforce & Economic Development Policy Steering Committee. These leadership roles enable me to continue advancing the priorities of rural and tribal communities on a national stage,” District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler said. “I’m also proud to serve as a member of the NACo Rural Energy Academy and the Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force, where we’re focused on strengthening community resilience, modernizing disaster response systems, and ensuring equitable access to resources during times of crisis. As we face growing challenges, from economic shifts to climate-related disasters, it’s essential that rural voices remain part of the national conversation and are supported with sustainable, forward-thinking solutions.”
Earlier in the year, members of the Board were appointed, elected, or applied to additional leadership and policy steering committee positions within NACo. Those continuing appointments are:
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs – District 3 Supervisor Tammy Ontiveros
- Human Services & Education – District 4 Supervisor Judy Begay
- Transportation – Vice-Chair and District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez
- Advisory Council on Immigration and Intergovernmental Affairs – Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar, Vice-Chair and District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez, and District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler
- Veterans & Military Service Advisory Council – District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler
- Western Interstate Region Board of Directors, Arizona Representative – Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman
For more information, please visit www.naco.org