AAC
COVER STORY History Continued From Page 37 <<<
Above: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines, NACo Past President Sally Clark, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, former AAC Board of Directors President and Clark County Treasurer Judy Beth Hutcherson, and Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck pose for a photo. Top right: Villines, Former AAC Board President and retired Johnson County Judge Mike Jacobs, and Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay talk during AAC’s conference. Right: Conference attendees participate in AAC’s annual conference roll call.
Treasurers, Circuit Clerks/Recorders, Sheriffs, Coroners; and Justices of the Peace making up the 75 county Quorum Courts. Each of the affiliate organizations has two board members on the AAC Board of Directors, comprising an 18-member board. In addition to the solidarity of AAC’s affiliate associations -
our strength and stability comes from continuity of leadership. Te Association has had only nine (9) Presidents of the Board and six (6) Executive Directors in our 50-year history. Other reasons for the growth and success of the Association of Arkansas Counties can be attributed to:
• Mission — AAC has had an inspiring shared mission at our core; • Vision — AAC has had an idea of where we were going. A vision abstract enough to encourage people to imagine it but concrete enough for members to see it; • Competency — AAC has had competent leaders. You must
be seen by the stakeholders, employees and legislative leaders as being an expert in the field of county government or an expert in leadership; • A strong team — AAC has had strong teams through the
years. Realistically, few executives possess all of the skills and abilities necessary for total mastery of every area within the or- ganization. To complement the areas of weakness, a wise leader assembles effective teams of experienced, credentialed, and ca- pable individuals who can supplement any voids in the leader’s skill set; • Communication skills — AAC has had some good com- municators at the helm. It does little good to have a strong mis- sion, vision, and goals — and even a solid budget — if the executive cannot easily and effectively convey his ideas to the stakeholders inside and outside the organization;
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• A “can do, get it done” attitude — AAC has a record of getting it done. Nothing builds a picture of success more than achievement, and achievement is the No. 1 factor that moti- vates just about everyone. • Inspiration — AAC has had some inspirational leaders, both as director and board members and officers. Employees and constituents of an organization need someone to look up to for direction, guidance, and motivation; and • Ambition — AAC has always been moving forward. Rest- ing on your laurels is bad for morale and credibility. Employees and constituents need to see an organization constantly striving for improvement and success. Tat comes first and foremost from the leader.
We have looked back to view the 50-year history of the As- sociation of Arkansas Counties, and it’s easy to see that prog- ress has been made — and lots of it. But most importantly we should look forward! Look toward the next 50 years and vi- sualize the progress that will be made for county government in Arkansas. I have witnessed, first hand, the past 38 years of county government — and what a change I have witnessed. I have hope for positive change because now, as in the past, we have some great leaders in county government — leaders that will move us into new and better ways of serving, leaders that will prepare the next generation of leaders by instilling in them the conviction and the will to carry on. As Loretta Lynn’s 1979 country song said, “We’ve come a long way, Baby!” Since the founding and incorporation of the Association of Arkansas Counties in 1968 we have a rich 50- year track record of great achievement. So, “We Honor our Past, We Celebrate the Present, and We Envision our Future.” Te Association of Arkansas Counties — 75 counties, One voice!
COUNTY LINES, SUMMER 2018
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