Gwinnett County Commissioner Jasper Watkins III nominated to NACo Health Steering Committee, graduates from NACo Leadership Academy

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–District 3  Commissioner Jasper Watkins III has been nominated to the Health Steering Committee of the National Association of Counties. NACo president James Gore confirmed Watkins’ nomination in a congratulatory letter, county officials announced today, Aug. 15.

Watkins, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, was elected in 2020 to represent Gwinnett County’s District 3, which includes Dacula, Grayson, Loganville, Snellville, and parts of Lawrenceville. A nuclear pharmacist, Watkins received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Florida A&M University and a Master of Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University. He was the Deputy Pharmacy Consultant to the Army Surgeon General, completed an Army Fellowship in Medication – Use Safety, and is the first African American in the armed forces and the state of Florida to achieve board certification with the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacist Nuclear Pharmacy Residency Program.

NACo’s Health Steering Committee plays a crucial role in shaping national policy, with its members providing vital feedback on legislative and regulatory decisions in Washington, D.C. Commissioner Watkins’ participation will contribute to the strength of NACo’s efforts, ensuring that the voices of counties across the nation are heard at the highest levels. In addition to his selection for the Health Steering Committee, Watkins recently graduated from the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy.

Watkins’ involvement in these national initiatives highlights the county’s influence on a broader scale and underscores his commitment to the well-being of District 3 residents.

“I am deeply honored to be nominated to the NACo Health Steering Committee and to have completed the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy,” said Watkins. “These opportunities allow me to bring the concerns and needs of Gwinnett County to a national platform where we can work together to shape policies that directly impact the health and well-being of our communities. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues across the country to drive positive change.”

Founded in 1935, NACo serves nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees across the U.S.