Charles County’s Reuben Collins Elected 2026 Chair Of Regional COG Board

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — Charles County Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II has been elected chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors for 2026, the regional planning organization announced Jan. 14.

Collins has held leadership roles at COG, including serving as vice chair of the COG Board of Directors for the past two years and as chair of the Transportation Planning Board in 2023.

In his new role, Collins will lead the board—the governing body responsible for setting overall policy, approving the annual work program and budget, and addressing regional challenges—as it focuses on issues such as transportation, housing, economic development, environmental planning, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

“Our region is resilient. We’ve come together on issues that go beyond boundaries, and I’m excited to build on that collaborative momentum to create lasting change,” Collins said in a COG statement.

Collins will serve with Vice Chairs Charles Allen (District of Columbia) and Alyia Gaskins (City of Alexandria) in 2026.

In addition, the board approved its 2026 legislative priorities, which include securing $460 million in additional capital funding for Metro, as outlined in the DMVMoves transit plan; promoting safer streets through ticket reciprocity agreements among D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to hold dangerous drivers accountable for automated violations; and expanding the Talent Capital initiative and other workforce development programs to strengthen the region’s economic resilience.

What Is The Metropolitan Washington Council Of Governments?

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is an independent, nonprofit association of 24 local governments in the Washington metropolitan region. Created in 1957, COG helps member jurisdictions collaborate on shared regional priorities like planning, transportation, housing, environmental protection, and public safety.

The board includes elected officials from member jurisdictions, along with representatives from the Maryland and Virginia legislatures. Meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.

COG’s Role In The Region

While COG does not hold regulatory power, its influence shapes regional policy through collaboration and strategic alignment. Learn more at www.mwcog.org

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