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The Pinnacle of Excellence Award
- Celebrating Excellence -

The Pinnacle of Excellence Award celebrates excellence in extraordinary achievement, exceptional performance, and exemplary standards. Recipients of the award that was instituted in 1999 include the following citizens:

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Council Bestows Upon Mayor Dale Kelley the Town's Most Prestigious Award

Mayor Dale Kelley displays the Pinnacle of Excellence Award with which he was
honored on July 11, 2006. -photo courtesy of The Carroll County News-Leader

July 11, 2006 - In a room filled with admiring colleagues, family members and friends, Mayor Dale Kelley on Tuesday was surprised to be presented with Huntingdon's most coveted honor--the Pinnacle of Excellence Award. The award was announced by Vice-Mayor Tim Tucker during regular session of the Huntingdon Town Council.

Moved and humbled by the presentation, Kelley expressed heartfelt appreciation for the kindness and support of those in attendance.

Vice-mayor Tim Tucker presents Mayor Dale Kelley with the coveted Pinnacle
of Excellence Award.  -photo courtesy of The McKenzie Banner

The pending presentation was kept secret until just prior to adjournment, when town recorder Martha Taylor opened a rear door to admit a multitude of waiting guests, after which Tucker recited the mayor's many accomplishments in state and local government:

Local Government Positions

• Four consecutive four-year terms as mayor
• Elected member of the Huntingdon Town Council for two consecutive terms
• Member of the Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education for nine years
• Four-year term as Carroll County property assessor
• Carroll County Vocational Education School Board for nine years

State Level Positions

• Three terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives, from 1979 to 1985
• Commissioner of Employment Security Under Governor Lamar Alexander
• Commissioner of Employment Security
• Commissioner of Transportation
• House Education Committee
• Vocational Education Advisory Committee
• 1986 presidential appointment by Ronald Reagan to the National Advisory Council on Adult Education

During his tenure as state representative, Kelley in 1984 sponsored legislation to create the Carroll County Watershed Authority for the express objective of constructing a recreational lake in Carroll County. A member of the Carroll County Watershed Committee since its inception, by appointment of then-Governor Don Sundquist, Kelley presently serves as secretary-treasurer for the body as the 1000-acre Carroll County Lake enters the construction phase.

Thanks to Kelley's extraordinary vision and unflagging efforts, as well as the diligence of city workers in the close-knit community, the Town of Huntingdon has blossomed into a legacy of Southern pride and charm. Most recently, Kelley spearheaded the founding of the Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center, home of the Hal Holbrook Theatre, named for his longtime friend and classmate and her husband, who reside in nearby McLemoresville.

In 1998, the city's state-of-the-art sports complex was named "Kelley Sportsplex" in honor of the mayor's efforts. He was further honored in 2000 when the 12-mile section of Highway 22 from Parker's Crossroads to Huntingdon was named "Dale Kelley Highway".

Ongoing construction projects continue the upgrade of the town's streets and downtown region. In recognition of these great strides, the town was awarded the prize for "Excellence in Downtown Revitalization" during the 2006 annual meeting of the Tennessee Municipal League .

Tucker also recognized Kelley's lifelong involvement in sports. An avid baseball and basketball player as a youth, among accolades Kelley has received in recognition of his athletic ability are:

• 1981 - Bethel College Sports Hall of Fame
• 1985 - Bethel College's Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award
• 2002 - Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame
• 2003 - Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
• 2005 - Appointed by House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Commission

Kelley actively promotes the athletic endeavors of today's youth in his hometown, frequently honoring the far-reaching accomplishments of the high school's football and baseball players and other youths who achieve recognition for their efforts.

He worked 14 years as a referee in the Southeastern Conference, performing in nine consecutive NCAA tournaments and three NCAA Final Four competitions. Beginning in 2001, he was elected to a two-year term as chairman of Coordinators of Officials for the 31 NCAA conferences. Since 1985 Kelley, as coordinator of officials, has provided oversight of the Big 12, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Southland, and Ohio Valley Conferences.

Kelley and his wife Carlene are the parents of three children, Amanda, Meredith, and Cliff, and are expecting their seventh grandchild this year. He is the owner of the Huntingdon-based rental and real estate firm "Kelley Enterprises" and is a partner and co-owner of the Carroll County Ford-Mercury dealership.