The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors elected MACo Board Member and Charles County Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II as its chair for 2026. As chair, Collins will lead the regional planning body as it works to strengthen the Metropolitan Washington region’s economy amid federal workforce reductions and shifts in federal funding priorities and programs. He has held previous leadership roles at COG, serving as COG Board vice chair for the past two years and chair of the Transportation Planning Board in 2023. COG is an independent, nonprofit association of 24 local governments in a region that’s home to nearly 6 million residents. Board members are appointed each year by the participating local governments and by caucuses of state legislative delegations from the region.