By Katie Pirolt
June 29, 2009

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was elected President of The United States Conference of Mayors at the Business Session on June 15. The membership also elected Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz as Vice President and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa as Second Vice President for 2009–2010.

The nominating committee, appointed by Conference President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and chaired by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin recommended Nickels, Kautz, and Villaraigosa for the Conference's top leadership positions.

In addition to selecting the top three officers, the Conference nominating committee filled vacancies on the Trustee and Advisory Board. Named to Trustees were: Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Southfield (MI) Mayor Brenda Lawrence, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppart, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Bowling Green (KY) Mayor Elaine Walker.

Mayors appointed to the Advisory Board were: Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, Arlington (TX) Mayor Robert Cluck, Rochester (NY) Mayor Robert J. Duffy, Bridgeport (CT) Mayor Bill Finch, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, Redondo Beach Mayor Michael A. Gin, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, Mesa (AZ) Mayor Scott Smith, and Piscataway (NJ) Mayor Brian C. Wahler.

The top three officers serve one-year terms while the 13 Trustees and 27 Advisory Board members serve as long as they remain in city hall.