Farragut Town Recorder/Treasurer Allison Myers wasn’t even planning to attend the Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders (TAMCAR) fall conference in Murfreesboro this year. She had too much work to do. This was a problem for Farragut Town Administrator David Smoak, who worked with his assistant, Trevor Hobbs, to nominate her for TAMCAR Clerk of the Year at the suggestion of Mayor Ron Williams. As it turned out, Myers had won.
David contacted TAMCAR president Angie Marshall for help with his dilemma. Fortunately, the conference had a session on how town managers and mayors work with clerks. His problem was solved. He informed Allison that he and the mayor were speaking at the conference, so she had to go. It was, after all, her professional organization.
She was a little confused that Trevor was also planning to attend, but still wasn’t suspicious. No staff members were informed of the award, so when the town’s receptionist Bettye Newby saw the group headed out the door, she innocently asked, “Are you getting an award?” Allison still didn’t wise up.
She was stressed about losing a day of work but was pleased that she’d get to see her friend Donna. The two were chatting in the back of the room when Allison’s name was announced as Clerk of the Year. Trevor covertly filmed her reaction when the conversation was interrupted and the true purpose of the trip was revealed.
“This is a well-deserved award for the excellent job she does as town recorder. She exemplifies what all employees should want to attain at the town,” David said when the group returned from Murfreesboro.
Allison began working for the town of Farragut in 2001 and joined TAMCAR in 2002. Her duties include assembling the town’s budget, creating agenda packets and recording activity at meetings. She has been instrumental in the town receiving the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 27 consecutive years and has received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for four years in a row.
In spite of the accolades, Allison shies away from attention about her professional accomplishments.
“I’m very honored to work with people who have confidence in me,” she says.
Farragut may be a small town, but town leaders and staff have won statewide awards numerous times. Two mayors – Bob Leonard and Eddy Ford – were named Mayor of the Year by the Tennessee Municipal League, and several staff members have been recognized for exemplary work by their state professional organizations. Such recognition is the result of hard work and dedication and is a credit to Farragut.