Staff & Contact Information

Maryland Association of Counties (MACo)

169 Conduit Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Ph: 410.269.0043     Fx: 410.286.1775

Complete our “Contact Us” form for general inquiries
or view our staff list below to contact staff directly

FAQ contacts:    LEGISLATION     EVENTS      EXHIBITS      WEBSITE 


Michael Sanderson

Executive Director

Michael Sanderson

Manages general day-to-day operations of the Association, Board of Directors and Executive Committee (officers), and legislative advocacy. Member of the Local Government Insurance Trust Board of Directors. 

Policy Team

Natasha Mehu

Legislative Director

Natasha Mehu, Esq.

Leads MACo's Policy Team in coordinating advocacy efforts in Annapolis. Covers community-based policy issues and services provided by county governments. Contributes to MACo publications, issue research, and policy advocacy. Legislative Affairs Areas: health and human services, housing and community development, public safety and corrections, governmental liability and courts, and business affairs. Liaison to affiliates including County Administrators, Attorneys, Health Officers, Human Services Directors, Public Safety and Corrections affiliates, Diversity Caucus, and County Legislative Staffers.

Les Knapp

Legal & Policy Counsel

Leslie Knapp Jr.

Advises and guides the Association on legal, liability, and regulatory matters, affecting both the Association itself and its member counties. 

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Research Director

Vacant (contact lvelasco@mdcounties.org for more information)

Manages research and information gathering on policy and operational issues relevant to county governments, and serves as a primary conduit for federal policy engagement. Oversees MACo research publications and issue research, and analytics supporting policy advocacy. 

Kevin Kinnally

Associate Director

Kevin Kinnally

Works with policy staff to review legislation and advance county positions. Works with MACo affiliate organizations to develop information helpful to MACo communications and advocacy efforts. Legislative Affairs Areas: finance and procurement, state budget and fiscal issues, elections, taxes and revenues, emergency services, pensions, and intergovernmental relations. Liaison to County Budget & Finance Officers affiliate, Elections Officials, Procurement Officers, Tax Collectors Affinity Group, Emergency Managers, and Large Counties Coalition. Hosts the Conduit Street Podcast.

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Policy Associate

Drew Jabin

Reviews legislation and contributes to MACo policy advocacy and publications. Legislative Affairs Areas: education, school construction and capital facilities, employee benefits and relations, transportation and public works, and information technology. Liaison to affiliates including Engineers, Human Resources, and Information Technology.

AlexMACo

Policy Associate

Alex Butler

Reviews legislation and contributes to MACo policy advocacy and publications. Legislative Affairs Areas: environment, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, and public information and ethics. Liaison to affiliates including Environmental Health, Planners, and Recreation and Parks.

Member Services Team

Virginia White

Member Services Director

Virginia White

Leads the Member Services team by coordinating all events, overall communications, marketing, outreach, and partnership plans. Manages all facets of conferences and events for the Association. Assists with scheduling advocacy efforts and communications campaigns during the legislative session of the General Assembly. Facilitates MACo’s Endorsement Partners program. Liaison to the Board of Directors and the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance.
(ATTENTION, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Please contact Virginia with your speaking inquiries)

Leslie Velasco

Administration & Finance Director

Leslie Velasco

Performs the Association's bookkeeping, accounting, and financial reporting tasks. Manages personnel issues, general office administration, telecommunications, and human resources functions. Facilitates MACo's conference exhibits registration process.

Allison Valliant

Administrative Coordinator

Allison Valliant

Maintains membership database and serves as conference registrar for attendees, speakers, and moderators. Project manager of the MACo Directory of County Officials publication. Manages office scheduling for staff and in-house meetings. Facilitates MACo's appointments process for statewide task forces, commissions, and committees.

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Communications Coordinator

Heather Legg

Manages MACo's communications channels, including social media, blog, and e-newsletter. Works with county communications professionals and external partners to showcase county programs and MACo activities. Facilitates the event sponsorship and Corporate Partner programs. Supports communications efforts around MACo's advocacy and grassroots campaigns.

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