Texas County Storytellers

Wise County Judge J.D. Clark started his career as a reporter then went on to become a high school teacher, small town mayor and now county judge and the National Association of Counties president. Over the decades, he has watching his community and the whole of Texas grow rapidly. The effects come into laser focus as he sees counties struggle with strains on infrastructure, health care and other services.

For Clark, it's about tackling these problems while also honoring his community's past.

"When you identify somewhere as home, it’s not just the here and now you are worried about," he said. "It’s also what's this going to look like in 10, 20, 30 years beyond us. The things I love about our community, is that still going to be intact?"

Hear his story and his goals as the new president of NACo in an episode of the award-winning podcast Texas County Voice.