MACAO
Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers
The Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers (MACAO) was formed in July 1959 in Detroit.
For the last 60 years, the organization has worked to assist county administrative officers in improving their ability to serve their respective board of commissioners by:
1. Providing means for exchanging knowledge and information regarding common problems;
2. Securing guidance and assistance from educational institutions, governmental agencies and professional and other sources in advancement of knowledge, techniques and procedures in public management; and
3. Supporting and advancing the application of high ethical standards in management of public business.
Board of Directors (2025-26 Member Year)
President: Michael Overton, Administrator/Controller, Jackson County
Vice President: Lisa Sagala, Controller/Administrator, Manistee County
Secretary: Tracy Byard, Administrator/Fiscal Officer, Oceana County
Treasurer: Mary Catherine Hannah, Administrator, Saginaw County
Immediate Past President: Christopher Wren, Administrator, Newaygo County
- Jennifer James, Deputy Administrator, Kent County
- Kim Murphy, Administrator, Lenawee County
- Brenda Taeter, Controller/Administrator, Montcalm County
- Katelyn Zeits, Administrator, Benzie County
Mission
The purpose of this organization shall be to assist county administrative officers in improving their ability to serve their respective board of commissioners by:
- Providing means for exchanging knowledge and information regarding common problems;
- Securing guidance and assistance from educational institutions, governmental agencies and professional and other sources in advancement of knowledge, techniques and procedures in public management; and
- Supporting and advancing the application of high ethical standards in management of public business.
Board Schedule
- Nov. 19, 2025, 2 p.m., via Zoom
- March 18, 2026, 1:30 p.m., via Zoom
- May 21, 2026, 9:15 a.m., at 2026 Conference
- July 22, 2026, 2 p.m., via Zoom
Governing Documents
How to become a member of MACAO
The association offers two membership categories: regular and associate.
Regular memberships are open to individuals serving in county administrative posts across Michigan.
Associate memberships are open to former administrators, corporate partners and friends.
Dues are $200 per year for regular members and $230 for associate members. The member year is Oct. 1-Sept. 30.
2026 MACAO Annual Conference, Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, Mich.
May 19-22 MACAO Conference
Presentations
- Keynote Address: Strategic Pause – Winterhalter
- Kent County AI Overview – Beck
- Using Axon – Boulter
- Medical Examiner Services – deJong
- MAC Opioid Services – Kelly
- Mandated Services – Vanderberg
- Cyber 101 – Behen
- NACo Property Taxes Report – Harris
Thank you to our 2026 Event Sponsors
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Future Events
Annual Conference, May 25-28, 2027, Crystal Mountain Resort
Annual Conference, May 23-26, 2028, Crystal Mountain Resort
Previous Events
- May 20-23, 2025 – MACAO Annual Conference
- Keynote presentation by Nicole Lance: “Same Day, Different Shift: Change Your Thinking and Change Your Impact”
- Novel Approach to Improving Health, Safety and Wellness in Employees
- Michigan Trial Court Funding
- Professional Resources: Getting Value from MACAO, ICMA, MME and NACA
- MAC Legislative Update
- The Future of Health Care
- Freedom of Information Act: Present Burdens and Future Challenges
- FOIA Software Options
- May 21-24, 2024 – MACAO Annual Conference
- May 23-26, 2023 – MACAO Annual Conference
May 24-27, 2022 – MACAO Annual Conference
- Sept. 1-2, 2021 – MACAO Annual Conference
