Get To Know Regina Russell

Regina Russell
Acworth City Clerk

What is your main responsibility?
Providing administrative services to the public, city-elected officials, staff and employees, with other duties including, but not limited to, overseeing the City Clerk’s Office, municipal elections, the city cemetery, court services, city records and business and alcohol license approvals.

When were you hired, and what is your background?
I was hired in October, 2004. I received certified municipal clerk (CMC) designations from the state and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) in addition to master municipal clerk (MMC) designations from both organizations as well.

I have been blessed to work in local government for the past 29 years. Two of my previous positions were in Florida, in one of which God allowed me to engage in the clerk profession and rise through the ranks from assistant to the village clerk to interim village manager/village clerk during an 11-year period. In 2004, I relocated to Georgia to assume the role of city clerk for Acworth.

I was recognized in 2012 by Georgia Municipal Clerks/Finance Officers Association (GMC/FOA) as Clerk of the Year for outstanding achievement, dedication and loyalty, and was elected by the GMCA board in 2017 to serve as the District III director for greater metro Atlanta. I also have had the privilege of serving on various GMCA committees, including education and nominating Clerk of the Year, in addition to serving on IIMC’s mentorship committee.

What has been the biggest surprise to you about your job?
Not knowing that the City Clerk’s Office is the centralized component for providing essential support to departments citywide, and having the opportunity to connect the public to various city services and resources.

What is the most unique request you’ve gotten, or job you’ve done?
I have been requested to serve as secretary to the GMCA Board of Directors, which will eventually give me the opportunity to serve as treasurer, vice president and president of the association.

What do you like most about your job?
Being a servant to all, and knowing at the end of each day that I’ve done my best to get the job done, assist others when needed, and leaving an encouraging message that the city has made someone’s day less complicated than expected. I count it a blessing to be a public servant, as I have a passion to serve the Acworth community in an effort to provide quality of life through city services. I am truly grateful for the path God has placed me on, and the opportunity to make a difference!

What sets Acworth apart from other cities and communities?
Acworth sets the standard as a community for quality of life. This is accomplished through our city team that includes city-elected officials, staff and employees who are unified, and dedicated to accomplishing the same goals to provide quality services to the Acworth community. When community concerns are translated to our city team, the result is to plan, act, create trust, work efficiently and effectively, and follow through until completion.

What kinds of growth/changes have you seen with the city?
The creation of a human resources department with the hiring of a director and HR generalist that manages approximately 180 full/part-time employees, with various types of employee benefits, including, but not limited to, retirement, insurance, a wellness program and employee service recognition.

What are your goals?
To continue progressing with electronic software for more efficient services for our city team and the public. Electronic services may entail, but are not limited to, open records requests and digital document management. In 2019, the city implemented JustFoia, an electronic software that manages open records requests and provides department connectivity. Our latest project involves public access to cemetery records, for which our Geographic Information Systems division created an online mapping system that identifies gravesite locations and burials. The map also allows the public to add missing information or photos for updates.

Tell us about your family and hobbies.
My husband, Luellan, and I have been married for 31 years. We have three children, Matthew, Joshua and Jessica, and two beautiful grandchildren, Josiah and Alaiya. For the past eight years, I have served as a member of my local church’s leadership committee as secretary and treasurer. I enjoy serving the Lord, family gatherings, travel and new adventures.