County Council member C. Vernon Gray became president-elect of the National Association of Counties at a conference in Portland, Ore., yesterday, continuing his expected rise through the organization's top ranks.

Gray was assured of the job a year ago, when he won a bid to become vice president of the lobbying group. He is expected to testify on Capitol Hill and help lobby Congress and the Clinton administration on issues for the association, which represents county officials from across the nation.

Gray will serve as president-elect for one year and then ascend to the presidency, as long as the east Columbia Democrat remains a county official by winning re-election to a fifth term on the council in November.

Pub Date: 7/22/98