California city officials elected to key NLC leadership positions

By Caroline Grinder, legislative affairs lobbyist

California will continue to be well represented in the National League of Cities’ leadership ranks next year, even as Cal Cities Board Member and Rancho Cordova Mayor David Sander passed the gavel to the next NLC president. During his term, he focused on "cities as laboratories of democracy,” emphasizing the importance of partnerships, service, and innovation. Sander will continue to serve an important role in NLC's leadership as a past president and member of the executive committee.

NLC’s new president is Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her presidency will focus on “pathways to a brighter future,” investing in underserved communities, strengthening community disaster preparedness and resiliency, and bridging divides among residents.

New NLC leadership was elected at last week’s City Summit in Tampa, Florida. During the conference, Grass Valley Mayor Jan Arbuckle, a former Cal Cities president, was re-elected to serve a two-year term on the NLC Board of Directors. Also on the NLC Board is Jaime Patiño, a council member for Union City and fellow Cal Cities board member. Patiño is entering the second year of his term on the NLC Board.

Several California officials were elected to serve in leadership positions for NLC’s constituency groups as well.

NLC’s annual conference connects local leaders from across the country with policy experts, industry professionals, and inspiring keynote speakers. This year's conference also concluded NLC's 100th anniversary, which attendees celebrated at a centennial gala.

Cal Cities President Lynne Kennedy, First Vice President Gabe Quinto, Second Vice President Teresa Acosta, Immediate Past President Daniel Parra, and Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman attended the conference, along with over 200 other California city officials.

Conference highlights included a keynote presentation by Crystal Washington, an artificial intelligence specialist, who discussed the power of AI and the importance of embracing technological advancements. Attendees also heard from Jennie Taylor, executive director of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation, who spoke about the importance of civility in governance. The event concluded with a conversation with Olympian Lindsey Vonn.

During the conference, NLC emphasized that while there are going to be many changes in Washington in the new year — many driven by new Congress members and a new presidential administration — their commitment to advancing key legislative priorities will remain the same. NLC will continue to advocate for increased housing production, direct funding for city infrastructure and disaster preparedness, and workforce development initiatives while fighting federal preemption.