County leaders from across the West will gather from May 5 to 8, 2026, at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference to tackle the critical issues shaping their communities. Hosted in Maui County, Hawai’i, this year’s conference offers a unique setting for meaningful dialogue around disaster preparedness, recovery, and long-term resilience.
Through interactive sessions and direct engagement with policymakers, attendees will leave equipped with actionable insights and resources to drive impact in their counties.
Connect with Hagerty
As a proud corporate partner of NACo, Hagerty is honored to attend and participate in the 2026 NACo WIR Conference. Our Vice President, Brian Baker, and Deputy Director of Recovery, John Hageman, will be on-site, engaging with fellow attendees throughout the event. Hagerty will also facilitate the following session:
- Disaster Response and Recovery Training | May 7, 2026, from 8:30 am – 10:00 am
As the frequency, severity, and cost of natural disasters continue to increase, county officials must be equipped to respond effectively and restore their communities as quickly as possible. This interactive training session will provide practical insights into the steps local leaders should take before, during, and after disasters to protect life and property. All attendees of this session will receive certification upon completing this course.
Additionally, Hagerty will host a display booth on May 6 and 7, where attendees can connect with our team, explore resources, and pick up Hagerty swag.
We look forward to connecting with partners, colleagues, and practitioners throughout the conference. If you plan to attend, we invite you to join our training and stop by our booth!
To learn more about the event, visit the official NACo website.
About Our Team
Brian Baker is an expert in homeland security, emergency preparedness, disaster response, and recovery with nearly two decades of public service leadership. Prior to Hagerty, he served as Executive Deputy Director and Interim Director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DC HSEMA). Brian also held prior leadership roles, including Homeland Security Advisor, State Administrative Officer for grants and federal funding, and State Coordinating Officer for the District. Now Vice President at Hagerty, Brian plays a key role in business development while advising and speaking widely within the emergency management community.
John Hageman is Hagerty’s Deputy Director of Recovery with over a decade of experience in strategy, finance, and management across the public and private sectors. He has held executive roles during the two largest municipal financial crises in US history, helping public sector entities implement financial and operational reforms. At Hagerty, John leads business strategy, development, and client delivery for the Federal Funds Management practice. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff for the City of Detroit’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer, leading the city’s post-bankruptcy recovery. John also advised Puerto Rico’s Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) to strengthen financial management.