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Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk ended his year as chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments with a call for local leaders to continue working across jurisdictional lines.

“Regionalism isn’t something that’s easy,” Lusk said during his farewell remarks at the council’s Jan. 14 meeting. He handed the gavel to Charles County Commissioner Reuben Collins II, who will lead the organization in 2026.

Arlington County Board member Takis Karantonis praised Lusk for his “hard work in absolutely unprecedented times.”

Lusk pointed to three major developments that tested the Washington region in 2025: the Jan. 29 collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger jet near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people; federal workforce and social-service spending cuts under the Trump administration; and the push to establish sustained funding for public transit.

The region responded to the federal reductions in part by strengthening workforce-development efforts. Local leaders also worked with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority through DMV Moves, an initiative intended to create a framework for reliable transit funding.

DMV Moves was “an initiative we should all be very proud of,” Lusk said.

He said serving as chair gave him a chance to observe how other jurisdictions and leaders approach shared problems. Lusk also thanked his council colleagues and the organization’s staff, led by Executive Director Clark Mercer.

The chairmanship generally rotates each year among representatives from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

“We have a big year ahead of us,” Collins said as he assumed the role. “We must remain flexible, nimble and ready to pivot.”

D.C. Council member Charles Allen and Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins were elected vice chairs for 2026.

The council’s 34-member board, composed mostly of elected officials, coordinates regional work on transportation planning, homelessness, economic challenges, environmental goals and public safety.