National League of Cities Announces New President & 2026 Leadership

November 22, 2025 - (5 min read)

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Washington, D.C. – The National League of Cities (NLC) has elected Councilmember Kevin Kramer, Louisville, Kentucky, as the new president of NLC. Kramer stepped into his new role at NLC’s 2025 City Summit, held this week in Salt Lake City, Utah. He will serve a one-year term with a special focus on local governments delivering: efficient services, thriving communities and growing a sense of place for all residents.  

“Local government is consistently the most trusted level of government in America. Representing the 19,000 cities, towns and villages across this country is a great responsibility and tremendous honor that I do not take lightly,” said National League of Cities President Kevin Kramer, Councilmember, Louisville, Kentucky. “Local leaders are ready to get the job done for their residents, and I am confident NLC will continue to advocate and protect the interests of every municipality. I am thrilled to work alongside the 2026-27 NLC Board of Directors to continue to reimagine how we build strong, resilient local communities.”   

In addition to President Kevin Kramer, Mayor Van R. Johnson II, Savannah, Georgia, was elected to serve as NLC’s First Vice President, and Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid, Tempe, Arizona, was elected Second Vice President. 

Along with the 2026 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:   

• Toby Barker, Mayor, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 

• Adam Bazaldua, Councilmember, Dallas, Texas 

• Michael Blake, Mayor, Cocoa, Florida 

• Travis Bruton, Councilmember, Glenn Heights, Texas 

• Cindy Dyballa, Councilmember, Takoma Park, Maryland 

• Dany Fleming, Vice Mayor, Harrisonburg, Virginia 

• Blaine Griffin, Council President, Cleveland, Ohio 

• Christina Hobbs, Councilmember, Union City, Georgia 

• David Hunt, Councilmember, Ahoskie, North Carolina 

• Brian Kazy, Councilmember, Cleveland, Ohio 

• Dan Kealey, Councilmember, Burnsville, Minnesota 

• Jodi Miller, Mayor, Freeport, Illinois 

• Bianca Motley Broom, Mayor, College Park, Georgia 

• Kim Norton, Mayor, Rochester, Minnesota 

• Darrell O’Quinn, Councilmember, Birmingham, Alabama 

• Jaime Patiño, Councilmember, Union City, California

• Emmanuel V. Remy, Councilmember, Columbus, Ohio 

• Mary Sarver, Mayor Pro Tem, Grandview, Texas

• Mark Shepherd, Mayor, Clearfield, Utah

• Holly D. Smith, Vice Mayor, Sanibel, Florida

• Gloria Solorio, Councilmember, Avondale, Arizona

• Doug Sprouse, Mayor, Springdale, Arkansas

• Katrina Thompson, Mayor, Broadview, Illinois

• Ashley Vanorny, Councilmember, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Laura Weinberg, Mayor, Golden, Colorado

• Jeff Weisensel, Mayor, Rosemount, Minnesota

Michael Lombardo, Mayor of Pittston, Pennsylvania, was appointed to serve a one-year term on the NLC Board of Directors. 

The following State Municipal League Executive Directors were appointed to serve a two-year term on the NLC Board of Directors: 

• J.D. Chaney, Executive Director/CEO, Kentucky League of Cities 

• Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director/CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association 

• Matt Gardner, Executive Director, North Dakota League of Cities 

• Kelley Packer, Executive Director, Association of Idaho Cities 

A.J. Forte, Executive Director of New Mexico Municipal League, was appointed to serve a one-year term on the NLC Board of Directors.

NLC appointed chairs of its seven policy committees for a one-year term. The new Federal

Advocacy Committee chairs are:  

• E. Rick Carmona, Mayor, Terrell, Texas – Community and Economic Development Committee 

• Ruth Grendahl, Councilmember, Apple Valley, Minnesota – Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee 

• Donald A. Groesser, Mayor, Ralston, Nebraska – Information Technology and Communications Committee 

• Cathy Keathley, Councilmember, Gresham, Oregon – Human Development Committee 

• Jan Kulmann, Mayor, Thornton, Colorado – Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee 

• Joshua Simmons, Commissioner, Coral Springs, Florida – Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee

• Mark W. Myers, Mayor, Greenwood, Indiana – Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee 

Lastly, NLC also elected leadership for its six Constituency Groups. The 2026 officers are:  

Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO) 

• President: Xouhoa Bowen, Vice Mayor, San Leandro, California 

• Vice President: Jason Moon, Council Vice President, Mukilteo, Washington 

Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO) 

• President: Jaime Patiño, Councilmember, Union City, California 

• First Vice President: Adam Bazaldua, Councilmember, Dallas, Texas 

• Second Vice President: Jeanette Herron, Deputy Majority Leader, Bridgeport, Connecticut 

LGBTQ+ Local Officials (LGBTQ+LO) 

• President: Jennifer Adams, Councilmember, Tempe, Arizona 

• First Vice President: Dan Arriola, Mayor, Tracy, California

National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) 

• President: Bobby Scott, Mayor, Center Point, Alabama 

• First Vice President: Amber Sellers, Commissioner, Lawrence, Kansas        

• Second Vice President: Byron Amos, Councilmember, Atlanta, Georgia 

Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) 

• President: Lisa Ford, Councilmember, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 

• First Vice President: Amy Shuler Goodwin, Mayor, Charleston, West Virginia 

• Second Vice President: Jacquline A. Guzman, Deputy Mayor, Sunrise, Florida 

 Local Indigenous Leaders (LIL) 

• Leadership Circle:

  • Roberta “Birdie” Cano, Mayor, Winslow, Arizona; Diné / Navajo Nation 

  • Mary Ann Carbone, Mayor, Sand City, California; Chumash People 

  • Renée M. Chacon, Councilmember, Commerce City, Colorado; Diné / Navajo Nation 

  • Lisa Ford, Councilmember, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

  • April Fournier, Councilor, Portland, Maine; Diné / Navajo Nation 

  • Doreen Garlid, Councilmember, Tempe, Arizona; Diné / Navajo Nation 

  • Chris Roberts, LIL Leadership Circle Liaison; Mayor, Shoreline, Washington; Choctaw Nation 

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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, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.