Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wright said he is humbled and honored by his selection to lead the national organization representing prosecutors all across the nation. Last week, Wright was chosen as president-elect of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) and will serve as president beginning in the summer of 2012. In the final year of his three-year term, Wright will serve as board chairman. He was elected by NDAA’s board of directors at the organization’s annual meeting July 17 in Idaho. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., NDAA is the oldest and largest professional organization representing criminal prosecutors in the world. The organization currently has 39,000 members and represents every state in the country and includes county prosecutors, attorneys general, state’s attorneys and municipal prosecutors. “It’s very humbling,” Wright told The Record about his selection. “It’s an honor and privilege to have the confidence of the prosecutors across the county that they would support me and encourage me to lead them as president.” Wright, Warren County prosecutor for 21 years, was first elected in 1990. He is currently serving his sixth four-year term. He has served as Missouri’s representative to the NDAA board since 2002 and most recently was the organization’s vice president, co-chair of the legislative committee and a member of the 11-person executive committee. In addition, Wright remains active at the state level. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and is chairman of its legislative committee. He was the organization’s president in 2001. Wright’s selection was applauded by NDAA representatives. “Mike is a great prosecutor and an incredible person and will undoubtedly lead NDAA with his characteristic humility, humor and grace,” Scott Burns, NDAA executive director, said in a press release. “The selection of Mike to lead our organization has been well received by our members from Hawaii to New York and every state in between,” Burns added, “As a seasoned prosecutor, Mike clearly understands what prosecutors need in order to protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable. He’s going to be a great president-elect and then president.” Wright said his involvement in the NDAA has been beneficial to not only him, but for the assistant prosecutors who have served under him. They have all attended classes offered by the organization and Wright has taught some of the courses. The prosecutor’s office also has utilized NDAA’s resource center that provides assistance during court hearings or on expert witnesses. NDAA receives approximately $12 million in grant funds to train prosecutors across the country on a wide array of topics, such as homicide, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, DUI and other criminal justice issues. Though his selection as one of the association’s top leaders will involve extra commitments, including short trips out of state, Wright said he is committed to serving as prosecutor. “I feel confident I can still do the duties I was elected to and handle the NDAA duties as well,” he said. Wright is looking forward to his time guiding the national organization. “NDAA has given a lot to me and my office and I felt I wanted to give something back,” he said.