#MACoCon Academy Electives Highlight Tech Tools, Rising Tides, Workforce Development, and MORE!

County Fellows of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance are required to complete 8 Core Courses and 6 Elective Credits – MACo announces 6 Elective Courses to be held at the 2024 Summer Conference.

The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance is a volunteer certificate program for elected and appointed county and municipal officials. The program provides a strong background of necessary skills and knowledge for local government leaders. It was founded by MACo and MML, is facilitated by the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, and is sponsored by the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT).

Academy courses are open to ALL conference registrants (register online) – Academy Fellows must complete evaluation forms for each class to earn credit.

Academy Fellows with questions about their transcripts should contact registrar Elizabeth Hinson at ehinson@umd.edu.

2024 MACo Summer Conference Academy Elective Courses

(All courses will be completely in-person, with no virtual option. Participants must be conference registrants to attend – daily options are available.)

Accelerating Economic Development with AI and Tech Tools

  • Description: Supporting and growing local businesses is a key factor for bolstering economic development in Maryland counties. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies have unparalleled potential for driving sustainable growth. Innovative tools can identify economic indicators, strengths, and weaknesses to strategically position counties to make the best decisions for their residents, businesses, and tourism markets. Join this session to hear from experts how AI and tech tools can foster a sustainable and innovative economic ecosystem.
  • Speakers:
    • Kelly Schulz, CEO, MD Tech Council
    • Laura Everngam-Price, Director of Strategic Partnerships, ezVoltz
    • Kristine Lim, Product Manager, Tyler Maryland
    • Anne Balduzzi, Executive Advisor – AI/Machine Learning, Hartman Advisors
  • Moderator: The Honorable Mike Griffith, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 2024; 10:00 am – 11:00 am

A Rising Tide: How Maryland is Bracing for Sea Level Rise

  • Description: As climate change continues to wreak havoc, sea level rise is fast becoming one of the quintessential challenges facing state and county leaders. From housing to infrastructure, recreation to revenues, Maryland’s relationship with its coast runs deep, impacting many facets of modern life. Hear from a panel of experts in the fields of environment, infrastructure, and planning as they discuss the current state of sea level rise and what communities are doing today to prepare for a wetter future.
  • Speakers:
    • Lee Currey, WSA Director, Maryland Department of the Environment
    • Jamie DeMarco, Maryland Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
    • Matt Fleming, Director, Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
    • Erik Fisher, Chair, Critical Area Commission
  • Moderator: The Honorable Regina T. Boyce, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Thursday, August 15, 2024; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Mastering Efficiency: AI Solutions for County Communicators and Beyond! 

  • Description: Step into the world of AI and explore its transformative impact on county government operations! This session will showcase a range of AI tools, including content creation, grammar checking, and video editing, highlighting their role in enhancing efficiency for PIOs and other county employees. Discover how these innovations are revolutionizing workflows, improving communication outcomes, and benefiting various roles in county government. Attend this session to learn practical applications and safety practices of AI, and explore how it can revolutionize approaches to communication and workflow management.
  • Speakers:
    • Mo Hasan, Founder and CEO, Intupower
    • Stephen Pereira, Director, Technology Services; Chief Information Officer, Calvert County
    • Bryan Doherty, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Baltimore City (invited)
  • Moderator: The Honorable Evan Glass, Council Member, Montgomery County
  • Date/Time: Thursday, August 15, 2024; 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Called to Corrections: What’s Working in Officer Recruitment and Retention

  • Description: Correctional officers wear many different hats. They ensure the health, safety, and rehabilitation of community members looking to re-enter society. They have to be sensitive and stern, caring and in control. These professionals have dedicated their careers to this critical public service, one that is often overlooked and is certainly not without its challenges. Workforce and labor market trends have added to those obstacles, creating shortages that can endanger the safety of everyone within a corrections facility. Without these dynamic and dedicated professionals, incarcerated individuals lose an element of human interaction that is vital to the rehabilitation and re-entry process – an important factor for all community members. Find out from a panel of experts what local governments are doing to revitalize this sector of the workforce, where recruitment strategies are working, and how retention efforts can ensure a stable workforce for the future.
  • Speakers:
    • Captain Shawn Moses – Director of Recruitment, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office
    • Jonathan Palmer – Recruitment Coordinator, Charles County Detention Center
    • Sarita C. Durant – Recruitment, Department of Detention Facilities, Anne Arundel County
  • Moderator: The Honorable Michael Jackson, MD State Senate
  • Date/Time: Friday, August 16, 2024; 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Pump the Brakes: Addressing Maryland’s Traffic Fatality Crisis

  • Description: 2023 was the most deadly year on Maryland roadways in almost two decades. Fatal and serious accidents have lifelong impacts on communities and families. The concern is particularly high for the thousands of highway workers, law enforcement officers, school bus drivers, engineers, and the like who spend thousands of hours on the roadways each year. These public servants are putting their lives on the line while fulfilling community roles that are indispensable. Legislation passed during the 2024 legislative session to begin addressing these problems, but many bills looking to establish further precautions did not. As the General Assembly gears up to likely consider more bills to make roadways safer, hear from a panel of experts on how it got so bad, what the research shows, and what kind of solutions will truly make Maryland roads safer.
  • Speakers:
    • Christine Nizer – Administrator, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
    • Wade Holland – Vision Zero, Montgomery County
    • Captain Daniel Rodriguez – Anne Arundel County
  • Moderator: The Honorable Nick Allen, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Friday, August 16, 2024; 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

Charting the Course: A New Vision for the Last Years of High School

  • Description: As Maryland strives to build a dedicated and dynamic workforce of tomorrow, opportunities to jump start those careers can lead to stable and lasting outcomes for young professionals. While college- and career-readiness are top of mind, vocational training and registered apprenticeships are equally as important for those looking to hit the ground running on a new pathway after high school. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future acts as a springboard for that journey. Speakers on this panel will explore the partnerships and resources available to make the most of these opportunities, while helping students plot a course that is right for them. Hear about the success stories, the challenges, and what the future holds for young professionals across the state.
  • Speakers:
    • Richard Kincaid, Senior Executive Director, Office of Career and College Pathways
    • Adam Tolley, Supervisor of Instruction, Queen Anne County Public Schools
    • Brad Phillips, Executive Director, Maryland Association of Community Colleges
  • Moderator: The Honorable Lenny Pfeffer, Council President, Dorchester County
  • Date/Time: Saturday, August 17, 2024; 10:00 am – 11:00 am

MACo is also offering 2 Core courses at the Summer Conference.

Read about all the sessions being offered at MACo’s Summer Conference.

You must be registered for the conference to attend – REGISTER TODAY!

Please note: Academy Fellows do not need to notify MACo they will be attending these courses. They only need to complete the Academy evaluation forms for each session to receive credit toward their certificate.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: