River City Six: Mary Ann Borgeson

Mary Ann Borgeson is the Chair of the Douglas County Commissioners (douglascounty-ne.gov). There are currently seven county commissioners who each have about 73,200+ citizens within their districts, and they run every 4 years.  An administrative form of government, County Government is a creature of the State. The Douglas County Board is statutorily responsible for the poor and the indigent within the county.

How did you get your start in public office? – My husband encouraged me to run in 1994.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I had to face a couple of very adverse situations during my service on the County Board and those situations have taught me a great deal, making me a stronger and more committed elected official.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I was the first female elected to Chair the Douglas County Board and I have been elected by my peers to serve in that capacity ten times.  I am very proud to have been the first public official to receive the Public Sector Award from the National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, DC at the Kennedy Center.

Tell us a little about your family. – I am happily married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – One of the saddest yet most rewarding moments was when I helped 166 individuals who came over after Hurricane Katrina hit.  That was huge eye-opener for me as an elected official as to what type of policy we are creating and what type of services we provide to some of the most vulnerable people.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – It depends on the weather!  When it’s nice out I love to be in the yard gardening.  When it’s hot out I love to be at the pool, mainly IN it. During the winter I love to read by the fire.  I always want to share my free time with my family.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I was a Junior Olympic basketball player; our team placed 6th in the nation.  I was also on Dancing with the Stars Omaha in 2014.

What are you the most proud of? – I am most proud of the achievements I’ve made not only on the county level, but also nationally.  I serve as the Chair of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Health Services Committee and I am President of the Women of NACo. I have been involved with so many rewarding events and achievements that have significantly helped our community, including a lot of work with the homelessness, domestic violence, the mentally ill, aging and developmentally disabled. I am also proud of implementing openness and transparency in county government and making county government more accessible to our citizens.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Millard Business Community Foundation Board of Directors and one of the main programs of the Foundation, Project Wee Care (PWC). In 2015, PWC had more than 150 volunteers and provided enough perishable, nonperishable food and basic hygiene items to carry families through at least a two-week period during the school holiday break. All of the items were donated and 281 families, 767 children and 400 adults were served through PWC.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Biaggi’s and Shucks.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Via our website at douglascounty-ne.gov or email me directly at maryann.borgeson@douglascounty-ne.gov.