Denise began serving the City of Gainesville as a part-time administrator in 1990, working her way to becoming City Clerk and will retire at the end of April after 35 years of service. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated leader in municipal governance, making a lasting impact on the profession and the communities she served.
In addition to her role with the city, Denise was actively involved with the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association (GMCA), serving as its president from 2009 to 2010. She continued to contribute to the organization both before and after her presidency, taking on various leadership roles. Her dedication and excellence in the field were recognized when she was named the 2015-2016 Clerk of the Year by GMCA.
She is one of only 15 Clerks in Georgia to have earned the prestigious Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), a testament to her commitment to professional development and excellence in municipal service. Additionally, she was among the first Clerks in Georgia to become an Athenian Dialogue Facilitator through IIMC, a distinction held by only nine professionals in the Southeastern U.S. (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina) and just 93 worldwide.
Her career has been defined by dedication, leadership, and a commitment to advancing the role of municipal clerks across Georgia and beyond.