March 2026 President’s Message
“Together, we’re growing stronger and shaping the future because County Management Matters.”
Betsy C. Keller, 2025-26 NACA President
Greetings! Spring is one of my favorite times of year (minus the allergies). It’s a season that reminds us of growth, renewal, and the possibilities that come with new ideas. As our communities begin to literally bloom, it also feels like a fitting time to reflect on how our organization is growing and preparing for the year ahead.
Recently, the NACA Board gathered for a strategic work session ahead of the NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. I want to start by thanking our incredible board members for the time and effort they put into preparing for and participating in this session. It was a productive and energizing conversation about where we want to focus our efforts in the coming year.
During our discussions, we aligned around three key priorities:
Adding more value for our members through enhanced benefits and programming,
Strengthening our strategic partnerships with our Friends of NACA (our sponsors), and
Building the infrastructure that will support the future of our organization.
I’m excited about the work ahead and the opportunity to deliver even more for our members, our sponsors, and NACA as a whole.
The 2025-26 NACA Board of Directors at the February 21, 2026 NACA Retreat. (click on photo to make larger)
While we accomplished a lot during our work session, we also had some fun getting to know each other better. Along the way, we learned some interesting facts about a few of our board members—from a former cheerleader to a skilled craps player! It’s a great reminder that we have an incredibly talented and diverse group of leaders serving our organization.
While in Washington, D.C. we also had the opportunity to meet with Matt Chase, CEO of NACo, and learn more about the impactful research and advocacy NACo is doing on behalf of counties across the country. It was a great conversation and a reminder of the importance of continuing to strengthen the connection between our organizations.
Another highlight of the conference was a lively NACA Idea Exchange with county administrators and colleagues. We discussed topics such as building stronger relationships with elected officials, the growth of data centers in our communities, and strategies for combating misinformation and working effectively with the media. The conversations were thoughtful and engaging, and many of us walked away with new ideas and perspectives. Based on the interest and energy around these topics, you can expect to see some of them featured in upcoming NACA webinars.
Looking ahead, we’re also partnering with NACo Edge to host a pre-conference workshop for County Administrators at the NACo Annual Conference in Orleans Parish, New Orleans, on July 16. We are excited about this opportunity and will be sharing more details soon.
I hope many of you will have the opportunity to join us at one of our upcoming events—whether in Orleans Parish this July, at the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach October 17–21, or through one of NACA’s future online events. These gatherings are such a valuable way for us to connect, learn from each other, and support one another in the important work we do.
Thank you for your continued engagement with NACA and for the leadership you provide in counties across the country.
Spring is here! Mexican Golden Poppies bloom in El Paso County, TX. Did you know the City of El Paso is the only major city in Texas with a mountain range? (click on photo to make larger)
Together, we’re growing stronger and shaping the future because County Management Matters.
Betsy
2025-26 NACA President
Betsy C. Keller, CM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Chief Administrator, El Paso County, TX