Healy Appointed Vice Chairman of National Transportation Committee

WHEATON (September 3, 2008) ― DuPage County Board Member Jim Healy (District 5- Aurora, Naperville) was appointed Vice Chair of the National Transportation Committee for the National Association of Counties (NACo).  As Vice Chairman of the Committee, Healy will be a key spokesman on transportation issues for counties across America before both Congress and the US Department of Transportation.   

When making the appointment, NACo President Don Stapley (Maricopa County, AZ) said:  “For the last 6 years Jim Healy has progressively taken on a larger and more prominent role on transportation issues at NACo.”  Stapley went on to say that “Jim’s leadership skills, and knowledge on transportation issues, will be a great asset to NACo as the next transportation reauthorization bill works its way through Congress.”

“I am honored to be selected for this important position,” Healy said.  “I am looking forward to being part of NACo’s transportation leadership team.” 

Healy has served on several transportation sub-committees at NACo, is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Regional Councils, and was recently invited by the US Department of Transportation to serve on several transportation roundtables.  Jim Healy has also been invited to speak at several conferences and colleges, and has taken a leadership role in a new national initiative regarding the movement of freight and transportation infrastructure in the United States.

Prior to becoming Vice-Chairman of the National Transportation Committee, Jim Healy chaired NACo’s Aviation Sub-Committee, testifying before Congress on the vital role counties play in aviation.  While working on national issues, Healy also worked with officials from O’Hare and the DuPage County Airport on aviation projects and issues those airports were pursuing in Washington. 

“The positions I have held at NACo have allowed me to help counties across America improve their transportation network.” Healy said.  “Those positions have also given me the opportunity to promote, at the national level, projects and issues that are important for DuPage County and Northeast Illinois.” Healy concluded.

NACo’s National Transportation Committee is a comprehensive working group, responsible for all matters regarding transportation planning.  These include planning aspects like rights of way; highway finance and safety; airport development; railroads; waterways; as well as research and development of new modes of transportation.

NACo is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. The association advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public's understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.  Its membership totals more than 2,000 counties, representing over 80 percent of the nation's population.