NCTCOG Elects New Leadership, Honors Regional Achievement at 60th Annual General Assembly

June 12, 2026 (Hurst, TEXAS) – City of Richardson Councilmember Jennifer Justice was elected President of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Executive Board on Friday, bringing extensive local government experience to one of the most consequential regional planning bodies in Texas.

Justice was elected during the 60th annual General Assembly on June 12 at the Hurst Conference Center. Delegates representing local governments from across the region also elected new board members and recognized outstanding contributions to regional cooperation and public service.

Justice succeeds City of Burleson Councilmember Victoria Johnson, who will serve as Past President. Erath County Judge Brandon J. Huckabee was elected Vice President, and Lewisville Mayor T.J. Gilmore will serve as Secretary-Treasurer.

“I am honored to be NCTCOG’s 2026-2027 President and to continue building on the spirit of regionalism and cooperation this organization was founded on 60 years ago,” Justice said. “The incredible growth in North Central Texas comes with both extraordinary opportunity and real responsibility. This new board is ready and equipped to make decisions that will help shape the quality of life our residents experience for decades to come.”

The NCTCOG Executive Board is a key governance body that guides regional policy, planning, and collaboration across North Central Texas, with elected officials providing leadership and oversight for the agency’s programs and initiatives.

2026-2027 EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

• President – Jennifer Justice, Councilmember, City of Richardson 
• Vice President – Brandon J. Huckabee, County Judge, Erath County
• Secretary-Treasurer – TJ Gilmore, Mayor, City of Lewisville
• Past President – Victoria Johnson, Councilmember, City of Burleson
• Clay Lewis Jenkins, County Judge, Dallas County
• Christopher Boedeker, County Judge, Johnson County
• Tim O’Hare, County Judge, Tarrant County
• Jesse Moreno, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Dallas
• Mattie Parker, Mayor, City of Fort Worth
• Bobbie Mitchell, County Commissioner, Denton County
• Jim Ross, Mayor, City of Arlington
• Burt Thakur, Councilmember, City of Frisco
• Gary Hulsey, Mayor, City of Haslet
• Michael Evans, Mayor, City of Mansfield 
• Jon McKenzie, Councilmember, City of Hurst 
• Ross Weaver, Councilmember, City of Midlothian
• The Honorable, Mitch Little, State Representative, District 65, Ex Officio Member

REGIONAL AWARDS

 As part of the General Assembly meeting, a group of individuals and governments were recognized for their contributions to regionalism and government service. 

William J. Pitstick Award

 Established in 1993 and named for former NCTCOG Executive Director Bill Pitstick, this award honors leaders whose work has strengthened cooperation among local governments. 

 This year's recipient is Marty Wieder, Executive Director of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Wieder shaped economic development initiatives across Arlington, Grand Prairie, Colleyville, and North Richland Hills. A former NCTCOG staff member and inaugural chair of the agency's Economic Development District, he has secured investment, fostered collaboration, and championed regional partnerships that have strengthened communities across North Texas.

Linda Keithley Award

Named for NCTCOG's first employee, this award — established in 1986 — recognizes exceptional leadership and professionalism in local government. 

This year's recipient is Aimee Nemer, City Secretary for the City of Richardson. With more than 28 years of municipal government experience, Nemer has distinguished herself as a leader in municipal governance, elections, ethics, and public administration. A Master Municipal Clerk, educator, author, and mentor, she has helped train and inspire public servants across Texas while advancing professional standards within the municipal clerk profession. Her commitment to ethical leadership, community engagement, and professional excellence exemplifies the spirit of the Linda Keithley Award.

Mike Eastland Regional Cooperation Award

Established in 1996 and renamed in 2025 to honor former NCTCOG Executive Director Mike Eastland's 32 years of service, this award recognizes outstanding collaboration between local governments. 

This year’s award recognizes a collaborative effort led by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) to resolve a decades-long water rate issue affecting member and customer cities across the region. Through a year-long process involving city managers, district leadership, and consulting partners, the group developed a sustainable, transparent rate structure that promotes water conservation, provides long-term certainty for participating communities, and strengthens regional cooperation. 

Recipients include:

• North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD)
• NTMWD Member Cities of Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and Richardson
• NTMWD Customer Cities of Fairview, Little Elm, Lucas, Melissa, Prosper, Rowlett, and Sachse
• Consulting partners Raftelis and Carollo Engineers

About the North Central Texas Council of Governments:  

 The North Central Texas Council of Governments is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to help communities work together on issues that transcend local boundaries and strengthen the long-term vitality of North Central Texas. Serving a 16-county region centered around Dallas-Fort Worth, NCTCOG provides regional planning, coordination, and technical expertise in areas including transportation, emergency preparedness, environmental sustainability, public safety, workforce development, and human services.

NCTCOG’s membership includes 238 local governments and agencies — including counties, cities, school districts, and special districts — working collaboratively to address shared challenges, maximize resources, and improve quality of life for the region’s more than 8.9 million residents.