Oakland County Commissioner Makes History with MAC

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard, Jr.,  swears Commissioner Mattie
McKinney Hatchett in as MAC President while her son, Eric Hatchett holds her bible
during the annual MAC Conference held Sept. 19, 2011 at the Grand Traverse Resort hotel.

 

On Sept. 19, Oakland County Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett was sworn in by Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard, Jr., to the prestigious position of president for the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), at the annual conference held at the Grand Traverse Resort, in Acme, MI.

As MAC President, Hatchett will preside over MAC board meetings and all conferences as well as lead the organization. Her duties also include working closely with the MAC Leadership Committee, and she will testify at the state level and serve as MAC’s representative on the National Association of Counties Board of Directors. Hatchett will work with the Legislative Board of Directors and the Governor’s Office on various issues that impact counties across the state.

As MAC President, Hatchett will represent 80 county governments and 685 county commissioners from across Michigan. As leader of the association, she will continue to strengthen the role of MAC, which is to act as an advocate for the interests of Michigan’s county governments.

Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael J. Gingell said, “I’m proud of Commissioner Hatchett and her commitment to the Michigan Association of Counties. The fact that she has been elected president of an historic organization that serves the interest of county governments across the state is truly an honor for her and for Oakland County. She has achieved many firsts historically on behalf of Oakland County being the county’s first woman commissioner to serve as president of MAC as well as the first Oakland County Commissioner in almost two decades to be elected MAC President.”

"Mattie Hatchett has been a great County Commissioner and a passionate advocate for the people she represents in Pontiac," Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard Jr. said. "Mattie will be a great President of the Michigan Association of Counties. Her ability to communicate with people of divergent backgrounds will enable her to effectively lead this important statewide association."

Hatchett was first appointed to the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) Board of Directors in March 2007. She was named board member for Region 5, which includes the counties of Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Monroe, and Washtenaw.

“I am honored and humbled to represent this outstanding organization, which has for years effectively lobbied for counties across the state. The Michigan Association of Counties is a strong advocacy organization and I am very proud serve as President. I intend to continue its’ mission to serve county governments statewide,” Hatchett said.

She unveiled aspects of her state platform, including assistance for veterans and families, working to protect children from exploitation and abuse, as well as developing statewide youth councils to educate and engage youth in the government process. She implored commissioners from around the state to join her in these initiatives as she begins her term.