The last time Terry Lannon led the Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department, George W. Bush was president, Ed Sealover was county manager, and Habersham’s population was just under 42,000. Fast-forward 18 years, and today, he steps back into the same job — as interim — in a county with a population of just under 49,000.
Unexpected opportunity
Lannon returned this week to run his old department following Brooke Whitmire’s departure. She left on March 3, and he was back on the job on March 18.
His return to public service came about unexpectedly.
After retiring last March, Lannon moved back to Clarkesville, where he has owned a home since 2005. Hoping to stay active, he looked into part-time opportunities.
“I was looking for some part-time work, and there was a part-time athletic supervisor here,” he said. “I thought, perfect — I can come back and work 20 hours a week.”
Weeks passed without a response, and Lannon assumed the opportunity had gone to someone else. Then, out of the blue, he received an email from Human Resource Director Ann Cain and Interim County Manager Tim Sims, asking if he’d consider stepping in as interim director.
During the March 17 commission meeting, Sims officially announced that Lannon would take over as interim director and help manage operations while the search for Whitmire’s successor begins. Cain said the position would be formally posted, and the county would receive applications to fill the position permanently.
A ‘vested interest’
When asked whether he’d consider applying for the full-time position, Lannon, who has worked 37 years in parks and recreation in three states, was open to the idea.
“I would certainly entertain it,” he said. “If Tim (Sims) and the leadership were happy with my work, I’d definitely consider staying on.”
During his career, Lannon climbed the ranks. He went from officiating basketball games to program coordinator and spent 25 years as a department director. He led Habersham County’s recreation department from January 2005 through May 2007. That’s when he left to move closer to a family member facing medical challenges.
Today, Lannon lives minutes from the county rec department and said he is deeply committed to the area.
“I’ve been a taxpayer here since 2005. I’ve got a vested interest and a real love for this county,” he said. “Whatever I can do to serve my community, I’m all about it.”
