Town administrator honored for his ‘visionary leadership’ | Collierville Independent

Collierville Town Administrator James Lewellen will be honored by the Rotary Club of Memphis East as the recipient of the 2014 Bobby Dunavant Public Servant Award.
The award, named after long time Probate Court Clerk Bobby Joe Dunavant, is presented annually to one non-elected official and one elected official in Memphis and Shelby County for their commitment to public service. Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft is being honored in the elected official category.
Serving Collierville as town administrator since October 1995, Lewellen was nominated for his “integrity, professional approach to all aspects of the job, commitment to high standards of ethics and transparency, a dedicated work ethic and his visionary leadership style.”
“I am proud of James and very pleased that the Rotary Club of East Memphis recognizes his leadership and service to the community just as we do,” Mayor Stan Joyner said. “This is a testament to the continual commitment James gives to his job and to the town of Collierville.”
“The Town of Collierville is truly blessed,” he continued, “to have someone with the character and integrity of James Lewellen providing leadership to our town.”
A native of Ripley, Miss., Lewellen graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration. He served as director of the Planning and Development Department for Southaven for two years prior to accepting a position with Germantown as chief planner in the Department of Development in 1989. He was promoted to assistant city administrator in 1993.
Lewellen is a member of the American Planning Association and the International City Manager’s Association. He served as President of the Tennessee City Manager’s Association in 2011.
“James Lewellen is a great asset to our Town,” said Vice Mayor Maureen Fraser. “His leadership, commitment and vision are key reasons why Collierville has grown to be known as one of the most desirable communities in Tennessee to live and work.”
Lewellen will be honored at a luncheon on April 21 at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn Ballroom. The keynote speaker will be Sen. Lamar Alexander.