COLLEGE STATION – Seventeen county judges and commissioners were recently accepted into the Commissioners Court Leadership Academy offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s V.G. Young Institute of County Government.
“The academy enhances leadership skills and provides specialized resources for class members,” said Rick Avery, institute director. “We commend the desire of our academy applicants to become better, more knowledgeable leaders.”
The academy is a two-year educational program that aims to increase knowledge of county government and the way governments interact at all levels; to help leaders become better communicators with other government officials, members of the media and community residents; to improve leadership and decision-making skills; and to enhance the leaders’ ability to serve as an advocate for local issues on all levels of government, Avery said.
Class V members are: Mark Barr, Howard County judge; Jacques Blanchette, Tyler County judge; Mike DeLoach, Lamb County judge; Kenneth Dickson, Anderson County commissioner; Joe Gonzalez, Nueces County commissioner; Joey Hill, Anderson County commissioner; Kenny Howell, Johnson County commissioner; Clint Ives, Victoria County commissioner; Robert Johnston, Anderson County judge; Donna Klaeger, Burnet County judge; Bill McCay, Lubbock County commissioner; Doug Page, Trinity County judge; A.J. Peek, Clay County commissioner; Luis Sanchez, Midland County commissioner; Rusty Senac, Chambers County commissioner; Butch Warren, Navarro County commissioner; and Lloyd Wassermann, Brazos County commissioner.
In Texas, a five-member county commissioners court serves in each of the state’s 254 counties. To date, 58 individuals have completed the program, Avery said.
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