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Durham County Commission Elects New Leadership

Dr. Mike Lee takes the gavel as chair, with Nida Allam serving as the board's vice chair.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 3 min read
Durham County Commission Elects New Leadership
Dr. Mike Lee, who also drives a school bus for Durham Public Schools (and previously served on the DPS Board of Education), now serves as chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

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The Durham County Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Dr. Mike Lee as its new chair Monday morning, with Nida Allam unanimously chosen to serve as vice chair.

The votes came at the start of the board’s Dec. 1 work session, marking a smooth leadership transition that commissioners described as cooperative and united.

Allam, who served as chair for the past two years, reflected on navigating major transitions with a new county manager, county attorney, and board members. Lee praised Allam’s leadership as “magnificent,” noting her “spirit, love for Durham and guidance,” and pledged to continue a culture of collaboration.

Lee emphasized his goal as chair: “just do good stuff,” urging Durham residents to find ways - large or small - to contribute to the community. He described his own daily Durham Public Schools bus-driving work as an example of doing “1% more” within one’s capacity.

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