Page 24 - TN Public Works Sept-Oct 2014 Vol.32 No.3
P. 24
Knoxville’s Larry Spencer Wins
Murphy Snoderly Award
It seems that the feeling was unanimous.
When the employees in Zone 5 of the city
of Knoxville’s Public Works Department
were asked to think of a co-worker who best
represents the qualities celebrated in TCAPWA’s
Murphy Snoderly Award, one person came to all
of their minds. That person was Larry Spencer,
an almost 40-year employee who received the
award this past June at the annual Tennessee
Municipal League Conference.
The Award is named for the late Murphy
Snoderly, a longtime engineering and public
works consultant for the University of
Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory
Service. TCAPWA established the award in 1972
as a means of sharing his appreciation for the
dedicated efforts given by the many longtime
public works employees. The recipient is
selected from a slate of statewide candidates and
is considered the state’s most outstanding non-
administrative public works employee.
The city of Knoxville Zone 5 employees as
well as managers of other division s were right— Left to right: TCAPWA President Ronnie Hammonds and Larry Spencer, Equipment III Operator with
Spencer is the perfect choice for this very special Knoxville’s Public Works Department. Spencer is TCAPWA’s 2014 Murphy Snoderly Award recipient.
award. He began his service to the city at age 19
when his assignment was to pick up trash in 55 gallon barrels. Operator he is today, there is no job that Spencer feels he is too
It was hard work on good days and even harder on miserably good or too qualified to do. In fact, he never forgets what it was
hot, freezing cold, or stormy days. Spencer’s determination like to be the “new guy” on the job and is always the first one
was and is matched only by his astonishing attendance record. to reach out to new employees and help them feel part of the
He has accumulated 2970 hours of unused sick leave—that team. Spencer freely shares the knowledge he has gained over
amounts to almost a year and a half of time. his many years so that all employees can be successful.
While his respect for and service to customers is impeccable, And guess who is the “go-to-man” when problems arise?
many longtime employees in any profession possess that You got it—it’s Spencer. With his wealth of experience and his
important trait. What distinguishes Spencer is that the people concern for fellow workers, he is a great problem solver.
who work with him day in and day out look to him as a On behalf of the late Murphy Snoderly, TCAPWA was
mentor, friend, and someone whose work ethic inspires them. delighted to bestow this honor on the city of Knoxville’s Larry
According to his co-workers, even as the Level 3 Equipment Spencer.
24 TPW September/October 2014
Murphy Snoderly Award
It seems that the feeling was unanimous.
When the employees in Zone 5 of the city
of Knoxville’s Public Works Department
were asked to think of a co-worker who best
represents the qualities celebrated in TCAPWA’s
Murphy Snoderly Award, one person came to all
of their minds. That person was Larry Spencer,
an almost 40-year employee who received the
award this past June at the annual Tennessee
Municipal League Conference.
The Award is named for the late Murphy
Snoderly, a longtime engineering and public
works consultant for the University of
Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory
Service. TCAPWA established the award in 1972
as a means of sharing his appreciation for the
dedicated efforts given by the many longtime
public works employees. The recipient is
selected from a slate of statewide candidates and
is considered the state’s most outstanding non-
administrative public works employee.
The city of Knoxville Zone 5 employees as
well as managers of other division s were right— Left to right: TCAPWA President Ronnie Hammonds and Larry Spencer, Equipment III Operator with
Spencer is the perfect choice for this very special Knoxville’s Public Works Department. Spencer is TCAPWA’s 2014 Murphy Snoderly Award recipient.
award. He began his service to the city at age 19
when his assignment was to pick up trash in 55 gallon barrels. Operator he is today, there is no job that Spencer feels he is too
It was hard work on good days and even harder on miserably good or too qualified to do. In fact, he never forgets what it was
hot, freezing cold, or stormy days. Spencer’s determination like to be the “new guy” on the job and is always the first one
was and is matched only by his astonishing attendance record. to reach out to new employees and help them feel part of the
He has accumulated 2970 hours of unused sick leave—that team. Spencer freely shares the knowledge he has gained over
amounts to almost a year and a half of time. his many years so that all employees can be successful.
While his respect for and service to customers is impeccable, And guess who is the “go-to-man” when problems arise?
many longtime employees in any profession possess that You got it—it’s Spencer. With his wealth of experience and his
important trait. What distinguishes Spencer is that the people concern for fellow workers, he is a great problem solver.
who work with him day in and day out look to him as a On behalf of the late Murphy Snoderly, TCAPWA was
mentor, friend, and someone whose work ethic inspires them. delighted to bestow this honor on the city of Knoxville’s Larry
According to his co-workers, even as the Level 3 Equipment Spencer.
24 TPW September/October 2014
