The Laurel City Council is officially endorsing City Clerk/Financial Director Mary Ann Hess for an international position with the clerks’ association.
The city council recently voted unanimously 7-0 to formally endorse the nomination of Hess for the office of vice president of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC).
Hess, who has served as the city clerk for the City of Laurel for 20 years, is now seeking to become the first in the state to serve as vice president of the international organization.
Hess has served the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) as one of two directors of Region IV (consisting of Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana) on the IIMC Board of Directors for a three-year term from May 2014 through May 2017.
Hess explained that “there are 11 regions and there’re only two regional directors from our region.”
Hess has served in various positions in the Mississippi Municipal Clerk/Collectors Association including President in 2010-2011. Hess also received the prestigious 2020 IIMC Quill Award for her outstanding service and dedication to the City Clerk Profession.
Hess has served on the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Municipal League in 2011-2012 and on the Board of Directors of the MML for ten years.
She has further demonstrated her leadership skills as State President of the Mississippi City/County Managers Association and the Mississippi Association of Parliamentarians and as a State Officer in the Mississippi State Society of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Rosalie Governing Board.
“Hess has faithfully served the City of Laurel and its citizens for the past 20 years in the position of City Clerk/Finance Director and an additional five years as the City Clerk/Finance Director in the City of Greenville, Mississippi,” the council endorsement sates. “The City Council of the City of Laurel has determined that Ms. Hess has demonstrated through her commitment and dedication to the City Clerk profession and to local government, the necessary leadership skills to lead the IIMC as vice President. Therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and city council for the City of Laurel nominate and endorse City Clerk/Finance Director May Ann Hess for the Office of IIMC Vice President.”
Officials said if elected to this position, Hess would become the first Mississippi city clerk to serve in the Office of Vice President. Hess said she is pleased to have the city’s endorsement. However, the election process can be challenging.
“You have to have support to seek this type of position,” she said. “If elected, it would be an honor to serve.”
Hess said the election will be held online in April and those elected will be sworn into their elected positions during the group’s conference in May.
According to officials, if elected as vice president of the international group, the normal order of succession in the organization is that Hess would then succeed to the president-elect, president, and immediate past president.