Rockville Councilmember Bob Dorsey has become president pro tem of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments effective Sept. 12.  Dorsey, who had served as vice president, succeeds John Koskinen, who stepped down from his role as COG president upon leaving his post as the District of Columbia’s deputy mayor and city administrator.

Dorsey, in his fifth term as a Rockville Councilmember, has served as COG’s vice president since January 2003. He will serve as president pro tem until Dec. 11, at which new corporate officers will be elected for the 2004 term. Under the normal progression of officers, at that time Dorsey will be named to a full one-year term as president.
 
COG is composed of 18 local jurisdictions in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Its purpose is to share ideas and work toward common regional goals. The Board of Directors is COG's governing body and is responsible for its overall policies, functions, and funds. As president, Dorsey will serve as the primary spokesperson for the Council of Governments. One of his major duties will be to preside over the annual COG membership meeting in December.

Dorsey said he will use his position to foster several goals common to jurisdictions around the Beltway.

“In particular, I want to us to concentrate on workforce issues,” said Dorsey. “These are issues that affect every area that makes up the membership of COG. Making progress on some of these issues could really have an impact—and that is what COG is all about.”