Morristown’s Larry Clark receives 2026 Assistant City Manager of the Year Award

With more than 30 years of service to Tennessee local governments, Morristown Assistant City Manager Larry Clark has demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and dedication to the communities and citizens he has served. 

It is for this reason that the Tennessee City Management Association (TCMA) has recognized Larry Clark as its Assistant City Manager of the Year for 2026. Clark was presented with the award July 12, 2026, at the 86th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport.

Widely respected for his professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to excellence, Clark’s interest in public service began under the tutelage of his father, a long-standing county executive for Carter County. After earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting from East Tennessee State University, Clark took his first public service role as an accountant for Elizabethton City Schools. He then began working as an accountant for the city of Elizabethton in 2001 before being promoted to finance director in 2006. 

In 2010, he was selected as the administrative services director for the city of Morristown to oversee  the city’s finance, HR, IT, and purchasing departments and was later named assistant city manager. At the time Clark came to the city, Morristown needed to stabilize  its finances, restore its standing with the Comptroller’s office, and better manage its sewer system.

Clark led efforts to improve financial procedures and accountability with the Comptroller’s office, and he worked to  address a major sewer system challenge, including regulatory oversight and litigation. Under a commissioner’s order and facing a federal lawsuit, he helped create a new utility partnership and associated operational standards and policies to ensure the success of the sewer system over the course of two years. 

He also transformed the public works operations by modernizing fleet maintenance, strengthening risk management practices, establishing a horticulture program, implementing a comprehensive stormwater program, and championing an enterprise asset management program. This helped address needs for equipment, personnel, training, and other operational procedures. 

Under Clark’s leadership, major capital and infrastructure projects have been undertaken, including the realignment and improvement of Thompson Creek Road, construction of the 115,000-square-foot Morristown Landing recreation and event center, construction of a more advanced public works complex, coordination with TDOT on numerous roadway and rail crossing improvement projects, and countless roadway and stormwater system upgrades and rehabilitations within the city limits. He also oversaw the renovation of the city center facility to address structural and functionality issues within the plaza and parking garage. This major rehabilitation and reconfiguration benefited municipal employees and the public. 

He is recognized by his fellow city employees for building high-performing teams, improving operations, positively changing organizational culture, and as a subject-matter expert on municipal governance. His proactive problem-solving, initiative, and follow-through have also earned him respect from outside stakeholders and partner agencies. 

Morristown City Administrator Andrew Ellard said Clark always puts Morristown and its employees first in every decision he makes.

“Discussions with Larry and final decisions on virtually every topic are centered around what best providesfor services to the public, what is equitable for city staff, and what is good for the city as an organization. His work ethic is unmatched,” Ellard said. “There is rarely an issue that comes up with which he is not already familiar – and usually we find he has already taken action to resolve. Larry has earned an incredible level of respect and admiration from his coworkers and the city’s outside stakeholders who all know him to be a person of integrity and a model of professionalism in local government management.” 

A longstanding member of TCMA, TGFOA, and TN PRIMA, Clark regularly networks with colleagues at other municipalities to compare notes on policies, operations issues, and other concerns. He is involved in the local chamber of commerce’s leadership program and is a key partner in city-chamber economic development activities. 

Clark’s personal and professional integrity, dedication to professional standards, and commitment to equity make him an example of what all municipal leaders should aspire to be.