The National League of Cities staff is organized into an executive office that oversees organizational operations, five centers that provide services to members, and six offices that provide internal administrative support and special programming.

Executive Office

The Executive Office provides overall leadership and direction to NLC programs and services, working closely with the NLC Officers and Board of Directors.  The office is responsible for managing organization-wide, day-to-day activities, communicating regularly with NLC's leadership, carrying out meetings of the Officers and Board of Directors, and establishing relationships and partnerships with other organizations that have an impact on issues affecting cities and towns.

Center for Policy and Federal Relations

The Center for Policy and Federal Relations is responsible for NLC's policy development and advocacy programs on behalf of local governments.  The center depends upon NLC's seven standing policy and advocacy committees to develop comprehensive positions on national issues directly affecting cities and towns.  The National Municipal Policy, which is reviewed and amended annually through the work of the seven policy and advocacy committees, serves as the basis for all NLC advocacy work on behalf of cities and towns.  Working with the Board of Directors, the center also develops and implements an annual Advocacy Agenda which identifies the most important federal priorities to serve as NLC's lobbying agenda for the year. 

Center For Member Programs

This center is responsible for developing and managing a broad range of both general and specialized service programs for NLC member municipalities and member state municipal leagues including recruiting and retaining member cities in NLC and for working with other centers to develop and maintain NLC-state league partnerships.  The center also provides administrative support to NLC's six constituency groups and coordinates NLC's international work program.

Center for Research and Municipal Programs

The Center for Research and Municipal Programs provides knowledge, assistance, opportunities for constructive engagement, and new ideas in order to help city and town officials serve their communities and to promote understanding and discussion about municipal issues and concerns.  The center develops, conducts, and reports research on programs and issues of importance to cities and towns; provides library reference and other information about cities and municipal programs; staffs the Advisory Council's Futures Process and the CityFutures Program Panels; and, seeks funding implement and manage programs and services for NLC members.

Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

The Institute for Youth, Education, and Families was established in 2000 as a special entity within NLC to help municipal leaders take action on behalf of the children, youth, and families in their communities.  The Institute focuses on five core program areas:  education, youth development, childcare and early childhood development, the safety of children and youth, and family economic security.  Its work is guided by the Council on Youth, Education, and Families.

Center for Communications and Corporate Programs

The Center for Communications and Corporate Programs coordinates content development, design, production, and distribution for all NLC communications vehicles including NLC?s website, www.nlc.org; Nation?s Cities Weekly newspaper; publications such as reports and brochures; and video programming.  The center also develops and manages relationships between NLC and private industry in order to support and enhance NLC programs and services.  NLC?s Corporate Programs include the Corporate Partners program, the Associate Member program, US Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, and CommunityID.  

Office of Media Relations

The Office of Media Relations is responsible for developing and carrying out a comprehensive media relations strategy that enhances the image and stature of NLC and the municipalities it represents.  The office communicates information about NLC's institutional priorities and about developments that affect cities and towns to the media and other individuals and organizations concerned about and influential in municipal affairs, provides media and communications support to NLC elected leaders, and builds public understanding of and support for the important role of local government and its leaders. 

Office of Conference and Seminar Management

The Office of Conference and Seminar Management manages all aspects of NLC's two annual conferences and Leadership Training programs.  The Congressional City Conference, conducted in Washington, D.C. and drawing nearly 3,000 paid delegates, is NLC's major legislative conference and represents the start of NLC's governance year. The Congress of Cities, conducted in November or December in a different city each year, concludes NLC's governance year and brings together more than 4,000 paid delegates to participate in activities, including policy committee meetings and the annual business meeting, numerous training and educational sessions, and networking events.  NLC's leadership training programs annually serve more than 2,000 local officials both in conjunction with the two national conferences, the annual leadership summit, and in regional seminars.

Organizational Support

Four NLC offices provide organizational support to the centers that work directly with NLC's members.  The Office of Financial Management provides a full range of financial services to the organization, including monitoring implementation of the annual operating budget and providing regular reports to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors through its Finance Committee; maintaining payable and receivable accounts and related financial records; generating the payroll; investing cash on hand; and, monitoring the NLC Building Fund and preparing reports on fund activity.  The Office of Human Resources plans, develops, and implements policies, procedures, and programs in the areas of employment, benefits, compensation, employee relations, and staff training and development for the organization.  The Office of Administrative Services provides organizational support in the areas of facilities management, purchasing and procurement, central storage, and leasehold management.  The Office of Information Technology manages NLC's technology infrastructure, oversees the city information system, and provides technical support to NLC's online services for members.

Alphabetical List of Staff Contacts