Town of Collierville
This month the Town will say farewell to Lynn Carmack, who spent 25 years of service and dedication to the community she has called home for decades. Lynn served as the Town Clerk for most of her career but first started with the Town in the Police Department.
In 1985, Lynn got a job as a Police Records Clerk, a position she held for a decade. In 1995, Lynn became an administrative secretary, with the Town’s Administration Department. She cherished her time with the Police Department but was searching for something different. While in Administration, James Lewellen, who was the Town Administrator at the time, encouraged Lynn to pursue educational opportunities in records management. Lynn became involved in the Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders and began earning certifications to become the Town Clerk in 1998.
“The Town is a great place to work, filled with good people, including a wonderful Board,” Lynn said.
Witnessing the evolution of her role as the Town Clerk over the years, Lynn noted technological advancements, such as the digitization of records, making them accessible to the public online.
“This change has significantly reduced search times for documents, benefiting residents, the Board, and our departments,” she explains. Public meetings, once lengthy due to high public participation, have also undergone transformations, with live streaming online and cable television.
Lynn shares one of the greatest Town milestones she witnessed was the establishment of the Collierville School System. She supported the Board of Mayor and Aldermen by meticulously keeping track of their meeting records and new ordinances, which were popular requests from members of the media. While many of these milestones were rewarding, they had their challenges. Adhering to the Sunshine Law and ensuring compliance is a serious task, yet Lynn navigated these complexities and upheld ethical practices.
Lynn became a leader in her field by earning her Master Municipal Clerk designation, which is the highest certification in her position. In both 2013 and 2022, Lynn received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders. She also served as both President and Vice-President of the state association and was a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
When asked about her proudest accomplishments, Lynn emphasizes the importance of staying neutral, ethical, and organized in this role. She fondly recalls her experiences and sees her successor, Kristie Diamond, as someone who’ll exceed her achievements, stating, “She’s smart, wants things done the right way, and will be successful.”
Lynn and her husband, Dennis, high school sweethearts celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2024, plan to embark on a new adventure in retirement. They’re gearing up for an RV journey across the United States, from the East Coast to the West, including spending time with their son and grandchildren.
As Lynn bids farewell to her role, her legacy as a dedicated public servant and an integral part of Collierville’s growth and progress will be cherished and remembered for years to come.
Words from colleagues and friends:
“Throughout her years as Town Clerk, Lynn has been an invaluable asset to the Town of Collierville. Her unwavering dedication and commitment to serving our community have left a lasting legacy. Lynn’s expertise in her professional contributions have been instrumental in the Town’s growth and success. We extend our deepest gratitude for her exceptional service and wish her a joyous retirement filled with new adventures and well-deserved relaxation.” – Mayor Stan Joyer
“Lynn’s contributions to the Town of Collierville as Town Clerk may never be matched. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and dedication to doing things the right way are extraordinary and Collierville has definitely benefited from her efforts through the years. Lynn’s work occurred largely behind the scenes and often went unnoticed because she did her job so well – she kept everything on track and running like clockwork never missing a beat. The Clerk’s role is so critically important to a municipality. Most folks don’t realize the significance unless something goes wrong which was not an option for Lynn who always ensured everything was correct. I will always be grateful to Lynn for supporting me when I joined the Town. She made every effort to help acclimate me to the organization’s processes and protocols and always did so with a friendly smile. I wish Lynn all the best in her well deserved retirement.” – Molly Mehner, Town Administrator
“In the many years that I have known Lynn, she has demonstrated all the attributes an employer would look for in a model employee. Many would describe Lynn as professional, loyal, dedicated, diligent and trustworthy. Lynn is all of those things, but she has been so much more to those who really know her. Lynn is kind, patient, and a humble person who gives her best every day, but most importantly she has been a friend. I wish her all the best in her retirement. She has left such a positive influence on all of us. I am sad to see her leave.” – Jeff Abeln, Assistant Chief of Police
“Lynn has served as a great source of professional encouragement to countless early career Town staff members over the years. She was a resounding voice of support in my decision to pursue a master’s degree in public administration and public policy. Her commitment to Collierville has produced a legacy of skilled professionals equipped to build on the strong foundation of our predecessors.” – Adam Hamric, Assistant Town Administrator
“Lynn has been a close friend from the beginning. We share a lot in common. Throughout the years, she was someone I would bounce off ideas with, or just sit and talk when I needed a distraction. She has been that kind of friend to a lot of people. Her departure is going to leave a big void. On the professional level, Lynn has been the ultimate City Clerk. Her work is always accurate. She is always one step ahead. She has the absolute respect for the position and her responsibilities. She will not let us be late getting a board packet out. She ensures all our meetings are properly posted and advertised and that the records of the Town are properly filled. There is no one better at what she does. Throughout her years of service, her work has been largely unheralded and unsung, and that’s the way she wanted it. The work she did and the level of devotion she gave to her job made my job so much easier. I personally owe her a great debt.” – James Lewellen, retired Town Administrator
“It’s hard to put into a few words all the wonderful things about Lynn. I have the utmost respect for her, her work ethic, and her professionalism. I am forever grateful to Lynn for believing in me and encouraging me to work toward the Town Clerk position. She has laid a strong foundation for me to build upon as I step into the role. She said she sees a lot of herself in me, and I hope that she is right because that is a huge compliment.” – Kristie Diamond, Town Clerk
“Lynn was more than a coworker. She has been a big sister to me for over 30 years. Lynn and I were a two-man office when I transferred from Dispatch to Police Records. We worked great together and continued to be friends after she transferred to Town Hall. I will miss Lynn as a coworker, but I will continue to call her my friend!” – Cheryl Darden, Police Records Clerk .
