ALBERT LEA — For the first time in local history, a Freeborn County commissioner is serving as president of the board of directors for the Association of Minnesota Counties.

Fourth District Commissioner Christopher Shoff began his term as president of the association earlier this month at the group’s 106th annual conference.

“We look forward to having Chris take on the role of president,” said Julie Ring, executive director of the Association of Minnesota Counties. “He brings a good broad background of experience to the role. He has a long history of work and interest in transportation issues as well as his own professional background in the health care field.”

First elected in 2006 as a Freeborn County commissioner, Shoff served as chairman of the county board in 2009, 2010 and 2014.

Shoff was initially elected as second vice president for the Association of Minnesota Counties in 2013 and in 2014 served as first vice president. He is also involved with the National Association of Counties.

Ring described Shoff as an “approachable and personable” person who she thinks can relate well to county commissioners across the state. She said she thinks he will be a good representative for the association, both at the state and national level.

Shoff said some of the issues he will focus on include transportation concerns on the state and national level and getting the word out about what counties do.

“I look forward to the challenges and the possibilities in the next year,” he said.

He noted he thinks the position will give him the opportunity to be aware of programs that could benefit the county and noted that contacts he has already made on the state and national levels have made it easier to acquire the abandoned Union Pacific Railroad line, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreement with the county.

Shoff said the presidential Association of Minnesota Counties term will last one year, with him continuing to serve on the executive committee as a past president for three years after.

The Association of Minnesota Counties represents more than 400 county commissioners and 38,000 staff members that work in county government across the state.