Commissioner Hatchett sworn in as MAC leader: County leaders support Hatchett's historic presidency

On Monday, Sept. 19, Oakland County Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett was sworn-in by Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard Jr. to the position of president for the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), at the annual conference held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme. As MAC president, she will preside over MAC board meetings and all conferences as well as lead the organization. Hatchett's duties also include working closely with the MAC Leadership Committee which includes the president, first vice president, second vice president and immediate past president as well as the MAC Executive Board of Directors. She will testify at the state level and serve as MAC's representative on the National Association of Counties Board of Directors. Hatchett will work with the Legislative Board of Directors and the Governor's Office on various issues that impact counties across the state. As MAC president, Hatchett will represent 80 county governments and 685 county commissioners from across Michigan. As leader of the association, she will continue to strengthen the role of MAC, which is to act as an advocate for the interests of Michigan's county governments. The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) work with various levels of government and its focus is on improving public understanding of counties. The association serves as a statewide advocate for counties while providing resources to help counties find innovative methods to meet the challenges they face. Recognizing the significance of Hatchett's accomplishment, Oakland County Board of Commissioners Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell stated: "I'm proud of Hatchett and her commitment to the Michigan Association of Counties. The fact that she has been elected president of an historic organization that serves the interest of county governments across the state is truly an honor for her and for Oakland County. She has achieved many firsts historically on behalf of Oakland County being the county's first woman commissioner to serve as president of MAC as well as the first Oakland County Commissioner in almost two decades to be elected MAC president." "Mattie Hatchett has been a great County Commissioner and a passionate advocate for the people she represents in Pontiac," Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard Jr. stated. "Mattie will be a great President of the Michigan Association of Counties. Her ability to communicate with people of divergent backgrounds will enable her to effectively lead this important statewide association." "Congratulations to Mattie on attaining the top post at the Michigan Association of Counties. Oakland County will be well represented," stated Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. Hatchett was first appointed to the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) Board of Directors in March 2007. She was named board member for Region 5, which includes the counties of Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Monroe, and Washtenaw. She made history as the first African American and first woman to hold this position from Oakland County. On Sept. 19, Hatchett made history once again as the first African American woman to ever be elected and sworn-in as president of the Michigan Association of Counties. Hatchett will continue the tradition of Oakland County's leadership role with in MAC. She becomes the first MAC president from Oakland County, since Donn L. Wolf served as MAC president from 1993-1994. Other Oakland County past MAC presidents who served include F.G. Ely from 1925-1926, Oliver P. Gibbs from 1939-1940, James L. Gardner from 1955-1956, Delos Hamlin in 1967, Richard Wilcox from 1974-1975, and Roy Rewold from 1987-1988. She is MAC's 104th president. "I am honored and humbled to represent this outstanding organization, which has for years effectively lobbied for counties across the state. The Michigan Association of Counties is a strong advocacy organization and I am very proud serve as president. I intend to continue its' mission to serve county governments statewide," stated Oakland County Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett. She unveiled aspects of her state platform at the Sept. 19th meeting which includes assistance for veterans and families, working to protect children from exploitation and abuse, as well as developing statewide youth councils to educate and engage youth in the government process. After presenting her platform before the commissioners from across the state, she implored them to join her in these initiatives as she begins her term as MAC president. MAC is a full-service state organization that provides legislative, research, technical and public affairs assistance to county governments. Created in 1898, MAC continues to ensure that the state's 80 counties concerns are heard and that their recommendations for policy matters are acted upon and understood in the Michigan State Legislature and the Governor's Office. Published: Thu, Oct 6, 2011

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