St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stanley Batemon has received the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s award for Outstanding Contribution to County Government in recognition of his significant contributions of time, talent and energy toward the benefit of Alabama’s county governments. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Association of Alabama’s 67 counties.

 Batemon has served seven terms on the St. Clair County Commission, and has chaired the commission for 20 years. Counties are greatly influenced by both state and federal governments, and the chairman has also worked tirelessly to advance and protect county interests at the state and national levels. A longtime member of ACCA’s board, he served as president for 2005-06. He has also served in a number of leadership roles within the National Association of Counties, including chairmanship of that organization’s Veterans and Military Services Committee.

 “St. Clair County has seen tremendous growth, and growth can bring extraordinary challenges that might seem insurmountable without strong leadership and good management,” said Sonny Brasfield, executive director of ACCA. “Alabama counties work together closely on many issues, and Chairman Batemon has been an essential part of advances that have benefitted all 67 counties in the state, in addition to his significant work at the national level.”

 A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, Batemon has given special priority to veterans’ issues, and St. Clair County’s efforts were recently spotlighted as a best practice during the 2014 ACCA Annual Convention. However, he has also served or continues to serve in leadership positions with the East Alabama Economic Development Authority, ACCA Liability Self-Insurance Fund Inc., St. Clair County Economic Development Authority, Birmingham Business Alliance, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, Pell City Industrial Development Board and Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pell City Area. He was appointed to the Alabama Citizens’ Constitution Commission by then-Gov. Bob Riley.

 Batemon joins previous award winners such as Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner, Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge and Commission Chairman Hardy McCollum, former Rep. Bill Dukes, the late Rep. Jack Venable, the late Gov. George Wallace and the late Alabama House Speaker Jimmy Clark.

 The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization representing county government in Alabama. ACCA promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice, and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies.