​The Institute for County Government (ICG) recognized Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard with successful completion of Level II of the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) program developed by ICG. Commissioner Bernard completed the program along with 13 other county commissioners, all of whom were recognized during the recent Florida Association of Counties (FAC) virtual annual business meeting.

ACC-Level II is a new leadership program developed strategically for ACC graduates who seek to expand their education opportunities. It gives alumni an opportunity to develop the tools and skills needed to be strong, versatile leaders in their counties and the state of Florida.

“ICG is constantly looking at ways to expand our educational offerings to meet the needs of our members, particularly once they’ve graduated from the CCC and ACC programs,” said ICG Executive Director Eric Poole. “With the help of the UF/IFAS Leadership Institute, the ACC–Level II program is designed to prepare commissioners for new and future challenges, making them more effective leaders for their communities.”

Program participants hear from experts on different sides of complex issues, such as population growth, marijuana/CBD and water resources management; develop the necessary leadership competencies to engage both their teams and individuals on all sides of an issue to enhance key human resource relationships; and build a network of other leaders addressing excellence in their county, state and at the national level.

The University of Florida/IFAS Extension sponsors ICG’s educational programs. For more information about ICG or the ACC–Level II program and courses, please visit https://flicg.org.

For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that government closest to the people governs best.