Alachua County is proud to recognize five county leaders who will be serving in leadership and advisory roles with the National Association of Counties (NACo), bringing their expertise to national discussions on human services, transportation, public safety, agriculture and other issues affecting communities across the country.
Florida’s 67 counties had 24 leadership appointments, seven of which were from Alachua County.
County Commissioner Mary Alford was appointed vice chair of the Resilient Counties Innovation Council, Healthy Counties Innovation Council and the Courts and Corrections Subcommittee of the Justice and Public Safety Policy Committee.
County Commission Chair Ken Cornell is continuing to serve on the Energy, Environment and Land Use Committee.
County Manager Michele Lieberman was appointed vice chair of the Agriculture and Food Safety Subcommittee of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Steering Committee.
Community Support Services Director Claudia Huggins-Tuck was appointed vice chair of the Veterans and Military Services Advisory Council and the Social Services Subcommittee of the Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee.
Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete was appointed vice chair of the Highway/Highway Safety Subcommittee of the Transportation Policy Steering Committee. He was also appointed as a member of the Advisory Council on Immigration and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Large Urban County Caucus and the Rural Action Caucus.
The appointments run through the 2026-27 fiscal year. Members will participate in committee activities throughout the year, including NACo’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in February 2027 and NACo’s Annual Conference in Chatham County, Georgia, in July 2027.
“These appointments recognize the experience and leadership our team brings to issues that are important not only to Alachua County residents, but to counties across the nation,” said Lieberman. “Our participation gives Alachua County an opportunity to contribute to national conversations, share the work being done in our community and learn from other county leaders.”
NACo committees bring together county officials and leaders from across the country to develop policy recommendations, share best practices and advocate for federal policies that support county governments and the communities they serve.
Learn more about NACo.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-283-2317 or msexton@alachuacounty.gov.
