The National League of Cities (NLC) has elected Mayor Victoria Woodards of Tacoma, WA as its new president. She stepped into her new role at NLC’s 2022 City Summit held last week in Kansas City, MO. Woodards will serve a one-year term with a special focus on partnerships related to affordable housing and workforce development.
“I am so proud to be stepping into this important role at a time in which there is so much opportunity for local governments,” said NLC President Victoria Woodards, Mayor of Tacoma, WA. “Every resident in every community deserves the best outcomes that strong local leadership can deliver. That’s why my presidential theme for this year is focused on investing in the people who live in our communities and forming transformative partnerships to create endless possibilities for everyone in America’s cities, towns and villages.”
Before becoming mayor in 2018, Woodards served for seven years as an at-large member of the Tacoma City Council. During that time, she launched the City’s Equity and Empowerment initiative which led to the establishment of its Office of Equity and Human Rights. She also brought partner organizations together for then President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative and spearheaded the City’s Project PEACE initiative which bridged community members with the Tacoma Police Department.
In addition to Mayor Woodards, Councilmember David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA was elected to serve as First Vice President, and Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome of Baton Rouge, Louisiana was elected Second Vice President.
Along with officers, NLC members also elected new members to its board of directors and appointed chairs for its federal advocacy committees.
The following individuals were appointed to the NLC board of directors for a two-year term:
- Byron Amos, Councilmember, Atlanta, Georgia
- Jan Arbuckle, Vice Mayor, Grass Valley, California
- Andrea Barefield, Councilmember, Waco, Texas
- Aditi Bussells, Councilmember, Columbia, South Carolina
- Jolien Caraballo, Vice Mayor, Port St. Lucie, Florida
- Jeanette Herron, Councilmember, Bridgeport, Connecticut
- David Holt, Mayor, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Emily Larson, Mayor, Duluth, Minnesota
- Josh Moenning, Mayor, Norfolk, Nebraska
- Matt Orlando, Councilmember, Chandler, Arizona
- Hattie Portis-Jones, Mayor Pro Tem, Fairburn, Georgia
- Edward Sundquist, Mayor, Jamestown, New York
- Gilbert Villegas, Alderman, Chicago, Illinois
The following individuals were appointed to serve a one-year term on the NLC board of directors:
- Bruce Duke, Councilmember, Kettering, Ohio
- Darrell O’Quinn, Councilmember, Birmingham, Alabama
The following State Municipal League Executive Directors were appointed to the NLC board of directors:
- Jeannie Garner, Executive Director, Florida League of Cities
- Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League
- Mark Hayes, Executive Director, Arkansas Municipal League
- Richard Sheets, Executive Director, Missouri Municipal League
NLC also appointed chairs of its seven policy committees for a one-year term. The new Federal Advocacy Committee chairs are:
- Community and Economic Development
Tishaura Jones, Mayor, St. Louis, Missouri
- Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources
Cindy Dyballa, Councilmember, Takoma Park, Maryland
- Finance Administration and Intergovernmental Relations
Mark Shepherd, Mayor, Clearfield, Utah
- Human Development
Steve Williams, Mayor, Huntington, West Virginia
- Information Technology and Communications
Kent Keel, Councilmember, University Place, Washington
- Public Safety and Crime Prevention
Ras Baraka, Mayor, Newark, New Jersey
- Transportation and Infrastructure Services
Kate Kruller, Councilmember, Tukwila, Washington
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The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.