Kathleen Ferguson
Title: Commissioner
Municipality: Town of Hillsborough
Position Interested In: At-Large - Elected Official; District Representative - District 6
Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030.
As demographics continue shifting and as municipal governance becomes increasingly complex and challenging, the League’s role in advocacy and fiscal sustainability continues to be critical for effective local governance and responsiveness. Representing a small town that provides a range and depth of services more akin to that of larger municipalities, I see firsthand the challenges of burgeoning general fund / enterprise service needs with limited revenue streams and economy of scale. A longtime advocate of cross-organizational collaboration and active council of governments member, I wish to support continued collaboration with the CoGs and NACO and leveraging municipal voices for the service of our residents. I also want to increase utilization of the League’s education offerings, which still are not as well known as they could be by a number of municipal electeds and staff I have spoken with over the past few years. It would be an honored opportunity to support and serve fellow municipal colleagues by returning to the NCLM Board as a member.
Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest.
I am a three-time elected town commissioner serving my ninth year of service. My areas of focus include regional collaboration, affordable housing, public health and safety, economic development, sustainability, as well as coaching and mentorship. Current and past service includes: Triangle J Council of Governments (past Chair), Triangle J Non-Profit Board Member, NC Association of Regional Councils of Government Elected Leaders Forum, Women in Municipal Government (Vice Chair), NCLM Legislative Action Committee, former NCLM Board Member (2019-2020); Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (past Chair), Orange County Reentry Council, Orange County Economic Development Commission (past Chair), Hillsborough Tourism Board / Tourism Development (past Chair), Orange County inaugural Solid Waste Advisory Group
Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities.
I completed political science major course requirements and was PK Seidman Political Science award winner at Rhodes College and graduated with BS Business Administration, Marketing from University of Alabama, Huntsville. Hold GCP certifications, CERT certification, and Civic activities include Hillsborough/ Orange County Historical Museum Board Member, Community Home Trust past Board Member (2 terms), Fairview Community Watch, Hillsborough Citizens Police Academy graduate, UNC School of Government Advanced Leadership Corps graduate, Triangle Leadership Goodmon Fellow and P Healthcare Business Women’s Association Mentor, William Peace University Senior Leadership Class Mentor, Red Team Thinking Red Team Practitioner and Coach in Training; and am a certified Reiki Master Teacher
Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees?
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CityVision Annual Conference
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Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days
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Legislative Goals Planning Events or Process
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Regional Meetings
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Legislative Lobby Days
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Legislative Policy Committee
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Affiliate Organizations: NC Women in Municipal Government
Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.
It would be an honor to serve on the NCLM Board. Thank you for your consideration