Savannah Mayor, Clerk of Council Receive Prestigious State Municipal Awards • Savannah Herald

Savannah Mayor, Clerk of Council Receive Prestigious State Municipal Awards

SAVANNAH – City of Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, and City of Savannah Clerk of Council Mark Massey, are recipients of the 2026 Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame Award and the 2026 Georgia Municipal Clerks Association (GMCA) Clerk of the Year Award, respectively.

I am deeply honored and humbled to be inducted into the Georgia Municipal Association Hall of Fame. To be recognized by an organization that has championed Georgia’s cities for generations is among the greatest honors of my public service,” said Mayor Van R. Johnson, II. “This recognition is not simply about one mayor or one city. It reflects the collective work of the people of Savannah, my colleagues on the Savannah City Council, our dedicated City employees, and the countless local leaders across Georgia who believe that local government is where democracy is closest to the people. I believe that when our cities succeed, Georgia succeeds. The relationships we build, the ideas we share, and the partnerships we forge make every community stronger. I accept this honor with profound gratitude, knowing there is still important work ahead. I remain committed to ensuring that Savannah continues to lead with innovation, compassion, and courage while helping strengthen cities across our great state. I thank the Georgia Municipal Association for this extraordinary honor, and I dedicate it to everyone who has entrusted me with the privilege of serving.”

The announcement was made this afternoon at GMA’s 2026 Annual Convention, hosted at the Savannah Convention Center. GMA inducted Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, recognizing his decades of public service, visionary leadership, and lasting contributions to municipal government in Georgia. The mayor joins other inductees in this year’s esteemed class of honorees.

“Mayor Johnson’s leadership has been defined by a deep commitment to creating opportunity and improving outcomes for residents throughout Savannah,” said Larry Hanson, CEO and executive director of the Georgia Municipal Association. “His ability to bring people together around meaningful solutions has strengthened his community and made him a respected leader among municipal officials across Georgia and the nation.”

The Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame honors elected and appointed officials whose careers have significantly advanced local government and strengthened communities across the state. Inductees are recognized for their dedication to public service, commitment to innovation and enduring impact on Georgia’s cities.

Additionally, in a surprise announcement, the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association (GMCA) named City Clerk Mark Massey 2026 Clerk of the Year.

Having received the County Clerk of the Year Award in 2012 in a different municipality, I am deeply honored to now accept the 2026 Municipal Clerk of the Year Award on behalf of the dedicated municipal clerks serving more the hundreds of cities and towns across Georgia and representing Team Savannah,” said Clerk of Council Mark Massey. “This recognition reflects our shared commitment to public service, transparency, and strengthening the communities we are privileged to serve every day. I am grateful for this incredible honor.”

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, 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.”

The Georgia Municipal Association Annual Convention brought together mayors, city councils, city clerks, and other municipal officials representing 536 cities in Georgia. According to its website, GMA’s mission is to anticipate and influence the forces shaping Georgia’s cities and to provide leadership, tools and services that assist municipal governments in becoming more innovative, effective and responsive.

The 2026 Georgia Municipal Association Convention ends June 30, 2026.

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