December 22, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Last week, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball leaders from all levels of government on the virtual Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Web Series, in lieu of the larger annual winter conference. Amongst many of his colleagues, Ball was elected as MACo’s Second Vice President at the Annual Meeting and Board Installation. As Second Vice President, Ball will serve as Chair of the Conference Planning Committee and help guide the overall layout for the next event.
“At time of crisis, our partnerships as local leaders are more critical than ever, and MACo has been an organizer and conduit on behalf of the counties for our evolving needs and policies during our COVID-19 response,” said Ball. “I am honored to be nominated as Maryland Association of Counties Second Vice President to serve on the Executive Committee. I look forward to serving with and congratulate all the new officers of MACo, including President Wilbur Levengood. A special thank you to Sharon Green Middleton for her service as President throughout this challenging year. I plan on applying the same passion and dedication I have for the residents of Howard County toward the mission of MACo.”
Ball will serve on the MACo board for a one-year term along with Wilbur Levengood, Caroline County Commissioner (president); Laura Price, Talbot County Council Member (first vice president); Johnny Olszewski, Baltimore County Executive (secretary); Jack Wilson, Queen Anne’s County Executive (treasurer); and Sharon Green Middleton, Baltimore City Council Vice President (past president).
“Our Association thrives because leaders like County Executive Ball step up and take on leadership roles,” said Michael Sanderson, Executive Director, MACo. “He and his fellow officers help oversee the staffing and services we provide to our member counties, and make sure we are meeting county needs all across the state.”
In 2012, Ball founded the Diversity Caucus, the first statewide caucus for county elected officials of color. This organization empowers and responds to issues affecting the most vulnerable communities and constituencies by advocating for legislation and policies beneficial to the people they represent. When the caucus began, fewer than 25 percent of county officials were people of color.
About the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo):
MACo is a non-profit and non-partisan organization serving Maryland county governments by articulating their needs and ideas to the Maryland General Assembly. The Association’s membership consists of county elected officials and representatives from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. MACo’s members determine Association policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals through an elected Board of Directors and a Legislative Committee. Through MACo’s advocacy, training, educational programs, and annual conferences, members are provided with endless opportunities to improve their capacity to serve their residents. More information and conference program updates are provided at www.maco.org