The honor is

given in recognition of a tax commissioner's service and dedication to

the association and the taxpayers of Georgia.

Attending the

awards luncheon in addition to Tax Commissioners were many Georgia Department

of Revenue department directors and staff members from the Property Tax

Division and the newly created Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.

The Tax Commissioner

of the Year is selected by a nominating process by the nineteen association

districts in the state.

Other Tax Commissioners

nominated by district leaders at GATO's Executive Board meeting were Arthur

Ferdinand, Fulton County; Ann Jones Guider, Douglas County; and Jerry

Saul, Richmond County.

After nominations

were made, the Tax Commissioner of the Year was selected at the regular

business meeting of the association by secret ballot with the winner being

announced as the highlight of the service and awards luncheon.

Ferrell has

served as Coweta County Tax Commissioner since February 1979 when he was

first elected to fill the unexpired term of long time Tax Commissioner

W. Z. (Bill) Camp.

Over the years

he has served on many committees and sub-committees of the Georgia Association

of Tax Officials; often times serving as chairman. He is a past president

of the association, having served as its president for a two year term

in 1997-1998.

He remains

on the board of directors and presently serves on the legislative committee.

He currently serves as vice president of the County Officer's Association

of Georgia, an umbrella association which consists of the four individual

groups of constitutional officers made up of Tax Commissioners, Sheriffs,

Probate Judges, and Clerks of Court.

Ferrell is

a past president of the Newnan Kiwanis Club and for many years has served

on the Board of Directors of the Cities and County Employees Federal Credit

Union.

When asked

about receiving the award the Tax Commissioner replied, "Anytime

you are recognized by your peers, it is a great honor. I thought having

served as president a few years ago was one of the highest honors a tax

commissioner could receive but this award is right up there with it."