The National League of Cities named Mayor Ted Ellis of Bluffton, Indiana as the its President for 2012. The organization also elevated Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers, of Avondale, Arizona, to First Vice President and chose Mayor Chris Coleman, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, as Second Vice President.

All officers will serve a one-year term in shaping NLC’s priorities and directing the organization’s advocacy, research and membership activities for the coming year. The vote came at the conclusion of NLC’s annual Congress of Cities and Exposition, in Phoenix, Arizona.

“I am very honored to be chosen to help lead NLC for the coming year,” said Mayor Ellis. He continued, “I will focus the organization on preparing for the needs of the next generation, while also working on immediate challenges by being a constant and determined advocate for all generations.”

Mayor Ellis’ acceptance speech can be found here: http://goo.gl/AXLDe 

Mayor Ellis served on the NLC Board of Directors from 2005-2007 and was elected as the organization’s First Vice President in 2010. He is a past chair of NLC’s Information Technology and Communications Policy and Advocacy Committee and the International Council.

Mayor Ellis has served as mayor of Bluffton since 1995 and spent nine years on the Wells County Council (Ind.). He is a past president of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and is the elected treasurer of United Cities and Local Governments, the international association representing local and regional governments and their national associations.
Mayor Rogers was elected in 2006. Before being elected mayor, she served as a council member and vice mayor for 14 years. She served on the NLC Board of Directors from 2001 to 2003 and is past president of Women in Municipal Government and Hispanic Elected Local Officials, both NLC constituency groups.

Mayor Coleman became Mayor in 2006. He served as a board member at the National League of Cities (NLC) and working on the Council on Youth, Education, and Families for the NLC. In his six years as mayor, he has been an advocate for education and public safety, and was instrumental in championing the Central Corridor Light Rail line – the largest transit project ever undertaken in the state of Minnesota.

The National League of Cities is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.