Mark Massey Named 2026 Georgia Municipal Clerk of the Year

The Georgia Municipal Clerks Association (GMCA) recognized Mark Massey, Clerk of Council for the City of Savannah, as the 2026 Georgia Municipal Clerk of the Year during the Georgia Municipal Association's (GMA) Annual Convention in Savannah.

The Georgia Municipal Clerk of the Year Award is presented annually to a municipal clerk who demonstrates exceptional leadership, professionalism, service to their community, and dedication to advancing the municipal clerk profession.

A municipal government professional for more than 32 years and a municipal clerk for 24 years, Massey currently serves as Clerk of Council, Open Records Officer and Parliamentarian for the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah. In this role, he serves as the official record keeper for the City, maintaining records of all acts, oaths, orders and proceedings, preparing meeting minutes, managing city contracts, overseeing ordinance codification and administering cemetery transfers for Savannah's five city-owned cemeteries.

Throughout his career, Massey has distinguished himself as a leader, educator and innovator in local government. Prior to joining the City of Savannah, he served Fulton Couty for 23 years, where he was recognized for leading the automation of historical Board of Commissioners meeting minutes dating back to the 1800s. Following his retirement from Fulton County, he became the first employee of the newly incorporated City of South Fulton, helping establish critical governmental operations, including tax-exempt status documentation, banking authorizations and the development and codification of the city's founding documents.

"Throughout his career, Mark has distinguished himself as a leader, mentor, and educator within local government," said Sharon Nelson, president of the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association. "His willingness to share knowledge, support fellow clerks and invest in the professional development of others has strengthened communities and municipal governments across our state."

In addition to his municipal service, Massey has contributed significantly to the education and development of local government professionals across Georgia. As a peer educator with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, he has helped train and mentor public servants throughout the state. He is also an active member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and the Protocol Diplomacy International-Protocol Officers Association.

His professional credentials include certifications as a county clerk, city clerk and public manager. He holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision from Georgia State University and a bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education from Fort Valley State University.

A respected leader among his peers, Massey is a past president of the Georgia County Clerks Association and a former Georgia County Clerk of the Year. Throughout his career, he has served on numerous nonprofit and professional boards and continues to mentor emerging leaders in the profession.

"Receiving the Georgia Municipal Clerk of the Year Award is one of the highest honors in our profession, and Mark's career exemplifies the dedication, innovation, and commitment to public service that this award represents," said Sharon Nelson, president of the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association. "His contributions have strengthened local government operations and helped shape the next generation of municipal clerks across Georgia."