Counties Elect Tompkins County Chair Shawna Black to the NYSAC Board of Directors

County leaders from across the state last week elected the Tompkins County Legislature Chairwoman Shawna Black to serve on the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC). The election was held as part of NYSAC’s annual meeting and Fall Seminar held in Oneida County.

“This is an honor for me and for Tompkins County. As counties continue to work with the state of New York on the challenges facing all of our communities, it is critical to have a voice on behalf of our residents, businesses, and taxpayers,” said Chairwoman Black. “NYSAC serves the interests and needs of all of our county leaders, rural and urban, upstate and downstate, and from all sides of the political aisle. We gain so much from being part of this association. I look forward to serving in this leadership position for a great and influential statewide association.”

Chairwoman Black joined the Tompkins County, New York Legislature in November 2017 and served as Vice Chair from 2019-2021. Chair Black has led initiatives in Public Safety and Health and Human Services and has served as Chair of the county’s Health and Human Services committee from 2018-2021. She also serves on the Tompkins County Board of Health. Chairwoman Black’s district includes the Town of Ithaca. She has served as Chair of the Legislature since 2022. Shawna is a longtime resident of Ithaca, New York and lives with her wife, Margot and three children – Graem (18), Emerson (15), and Keane (11).

Organized in 1925, NYSAC is the only statewide municipal association representing the interests of all of New York State’s county leaders, including legislators, supervisors, county executives, administrators, commissioners, and other county officials from all 57 counties and the City of New York. Our mission is to foster excellence in county governance and unite the voice of county leaders.

NYSAC is a bipartisan organization and represents counties before federal and state officials and works to inform county officials through conferences, workshops, reports, and extensive communication. 

"We are honored to have Shawna Black on our Board of Directors. Her guidance and perspective from this region of the state will be a tremendous asset to the Association as we continue to address the critical issues facing counties across the state," said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario.  

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Media Contact: Mark LaVigne | MLavigne@nysac.org | 518-465-1473 x206