Tacoma City Council Member Joe Bushnell has recently risen to a significant position of influence on the national stage, as he has been appointed to officiate as the Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Military Communities Council for a one-year term. With this new responsibility comes the role of stewarding a broad alliance of municipal leaders, aimed at invigorating collaborative efforts and sharing resources to bolster military communities all over the United States.
According to a recent press release from the City of Tacoma, Council Member Bushnell, who has served his country as a Marine Corps veteran brings a personal investment to his new position, "In this role, I will elevate the experiences and needs of veterans, as well as active duty families, at a national level," Bushnell stated. Notably, Tacoma is proximate to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, giving Bushnell a keen insight into the intricacies, and the exigencies of servicemen and women's lives.
Under Bushnell's leadership, the Military Communities Council is expected to facilitate networking, and the creation of programs and services tailored to the nuanced requirements of those serving, and those who have served. This specialized group within the NLC serves as a melting pot for ideas and strategies, enabling local government leaders to effectively address the challenges facing military communities.
Mayor Steve Patterson of Athens, Ohio, and President of the National League of Cities, endorsed Bushnell's appointment with confidence, "Member Councils are integral to shaping NLC’s policies by bringing together local leaders from across the country who are serving similar communities to share ideas, experiences and challenges they are facing in their communities," he was quoted saying. Alongside Chair Bushnell, this year's leadership lineup includes Vice Chair Riakos Adams, Council Member from Killeen, TX, rounding out a formidable team at the council's helm.
For further details regarding the National League of Cities and its initiatives, members of the public and interested parties can access more information through their dedicated webpage on member councils, signaling an open door to engagement and informational resources for those vested in the sustenance and proliferation of military communities.
