By Debra DeHaney-Howard
June 23, 2003

Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner was elected President of The United States Conference of Mayors in the business session of the organization's 71st Annual Meeting, June 9, in Denver. The membership of the organization also elected Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic as Vice President and Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill as Chairman of the Advisory Board for 2003-04.

The fourteen member nominating committee, which was appointed by outgoing President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and chaired by Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer, recommended Garner, Plusquellic and O'Neill for the Conference's top leadership posts when it met, June 7 during the Annual Meeting.

In addition to selecting the three top officers, the membership also filled vacancies on the organization's Trustee and Advisory Board. Named to Trustee was Mayor Dannel Malloy of Stamford. New Advisory Board members are Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin; Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley; Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell; Dallas Mayor Laura Miller; Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez; Fresno Mayor Allan Autry; Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman; Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys; Richmond (CA) Mayor Irma Anderson; and Seattle Mayor Gregory Nickles.

The President, Vice President, and Chair of the Advisory Board serve one-year terms; while the thirteen Trustees and twenty'seven Advisory Board members serve as long as they remain in city hall.