St. Lucie County Commissioner Cathy Townsend achieves advanced County Commissioner level II designation
St. Lucie County Commissioner Cathy Townsend was recently presented with the Advanced County Commissioner Level II (ACC II) designation from the Institute for County Government (ICG) at an award ceremony held at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Annual Conference and Educational Exhibition in Orange County, Florida.
The ACC II designation signifies the commissioner's completion of the most senior level of a comprehensive study program designed by ICG. The ACC II education program focuses on transforming counties and the state of Florida by producing strong, versatile leaders with the necessary tools to address challenges across multiple fields and governing bodies. Commissioners are given the opportunity to participate following their graduation from the Certified County Commissioners (CCC) and the Advanced County Commissioner Level I (ACC I) program.
“As the highest designation offered by ICG, commissioners are challenged to confront the most intricate and complex issues that face Florida,” explained the Institute for County Government’s Executive Director Eric Poole. “These commissioners who volunteer to dedicate time and energy into earning this designation exemplify the quality of leaders we have on a local level in Florida.”
“Being educated through the Florida Association of Counties allows me to be a better leader because of the relationships that I have been able to build with all 67 counties. I am always grateful for the educational opportunities that FAC continues to provide,” added Townsend.
In the ACC II education program, participants broaden and refine their skills learned in previous programs. Not only do participants continue to develop leadership skills while learning to confront complex issues, but they are also given the opportunity to foster relationships with other leaders on the local, state and federal level.
Alongside Commissioner Townsend, 12 commissioners earned the designation at the award ceremony on June 30 as the third class of graduates to complete the program. Since the inception of this program, there have been 41 graduates.
The ACC II education program is made possible in partnership with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension, which has sponsored the education programs for the last 15 years and has offices in all 67 Florida counties. To learn more about the ACC program and other education programs, please visit flicg.org.
Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community. The Florida Association of Counties helps Florida’s counties effectively serve and represent their communities through Advocacy, Collaboration, and Education.
