At the annual meeting of the Nebraska Association of County Officials in Kearney at the start of December, one of the primary orders of business was electing someone who will eventually become that organization's president.

And that person will come from Southeast Nebraska.

Gage County supervisor Emily Haxby was elected Secretary-Treasurer of NACO at the association's annual convention in Kearney in the second week of December. Following the established order of progression, she will assume the role of NACO president in 2029.

"It truly is an honor to stand in a room filled with people who care deeply about their counties, their communities, and the future of our state. Thank you for the work you do every single day. County government matters, and it matters because of people like you," Haxby said in her remarks to the NACO audience ahead of December's vote. "I have always believed that if I can help, I should. Whether it was sharing grant information, working through broadband challenges, or simply picking up the phone, I believe leadership through teamwork is how counties succeed. This year’s theme is All In, and that is how I approach public service. All in for my county. All in for this organization. And all in for working together to strengthen Nebraska’s counties."

"I have come to know Emily as one of the most hard working, dedicated, and committed county officials in the entire state of Nebraska. Her dedication, commitment, leadership and vision for the future of county government in Nebraska are exactly what we need, here, now, and into the future," Jefferson County commissioner Mark Schoenrock said in his endorsement of Haxby. "Especially impressive is Emily’s ability to communicate with and connect with our fellow citizens, county officials and state and federal officials from across the spectrum of differing beliefs and ideas. When there have been issues crucial to Nebraska county government, Emily Haxby has always been there and always will be there to stand strong."

Schoenrock has also served as the director of NACO's Southeast director, where Haxby has served as both president and vice president. Haxby has earned multiple awards and commendations from NACO, and, along with her roles as the vice chair of the Gage County board, locally serves on boards for organizations like the Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging, Region V Services/Apace, and the Nebraska extension. Her efforts to secure $400 million in grant funding has been instrumental in helping expand broadband access to rural Nebraska.

"That broadband project only started in Gage County, but it did not end there. When inaccurate maps threatened funding across Nebraska, we stood up, asked questions, and challenged the process. By working together, we helped improve outcomes for every county in this state," Haxby said in her address. "That experience reinforced what I believe at my core. When we collaborate, when we challenge ourselves to be our best, and when we stay focused on the next generation, we can accomplish more together than any one county ever could alone."

Haxby will serve as NACO's Secretary-Treasurer in 2026. She will then assume the role of Second Vice President in 2027, First Vice President in 2028, and then President of NACO in 2029.