Mayor Shane McFarland Recognizes Kim Fann With STARS Award

Kimberly Fann, who serves as an accounting clerk at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, received multiple nominations for the STARS award. Mayor Shane McFarland recognized Fann during a special ceremony prior to the May 2, 2024, City Council meeting.

“Whether it is a City training meeting, City Council Workshop, or a private event in the Business Center, Kim makes sure that everyone is taken care of,” said Airport Director Chad Gehrke in one of the nominations. “She understands how important a good first impression is and she never underestimates a person or the event or meeting.”

STAR nominations cited Fann for helping to make the airport an attractive and welcoming center for both locals and visitors to the City of Murfreesboro. Fann’s service to the community is consistently recognized by many who visit the Airport and enjoy its hospitality.

The City hired Fann Sept. 13, 2010, as an Administrative Support Specialist in the Fleet Services Department. Prior to becoming an Accounting Clerk at the Airport, Oct. 4, 2021, Fann also served as an Inventory Control Coordinator in Fleet Services.

Here is an example of one of the nominations from a citizen-volunteer:

“I am a volunteer at the airport and get to see the diversity of things that Kim does. The mantra in our office is “Ask Kim” because she knows who does what and where they are at any given moment. This enables us, as volunteers, to quickly serve those who stop by our desk seeking information. She is unfailingly patient and will make sure the person we are helping gets the help they really need, even though sometimes they don’t exactly know what to ask for. She takes people on tours and answers many questions. For example, this week a couple came to us to see the “new” airport. We knew that Kim would be able point out the “new” and “old” and we contacted Kim, who took them on a tour of the building. They were thrilled with all that had been done since their last visit. The wife explained that her husband had been remembering so many things on the tour that she wanted to know if they could just visit the airport on a regular basis. Kim offered an even better solution. She suggested that the couple attend the weekly meeting of former pilots and airplane enthusiasts who meet each Thursday to relive their experiences. The couple attended the meeting where there was a cake baked by Kim to acknowledge the birthday of one of the group’s members. When they left, they vowed to come back more often.”

Another nomination stated:

“I’ve witnessed Kimberly provide excellent service for the airport and community. She has supported many events at the airport and is responsive and courteous. When there are community events at the airport, she is right in the middle, making sure all the necessary tasks are accomplished and that the community is served. She does all this with a positive attitude and smile. She is a great representative of and brings a positive light on the community. Kimberly goes well above and beyond.”

And a third nomination came from a retiree-volunteer and Airport Navigator:

“Mrs. Kimberly Fann has demonstrated exemplary service by being much more than an accounting clerk. Kim’s behind the scenes leadership and responsiveness to airport customers and city administrative needs, makes you wonder, how did the airport get involved? It’s because Kim, working with our Airport Director Chad Gehrke and Airport Manager Ryan Hulsey, makes things happen. Kim leads the airport staff in keeping the airport supportive, clean, cooperative and a welcome center for the city. She has made community involvement possible for retirees like me by establishing the Airport Navigator program assisting local and non-local customers use the airport facilities and connect with the airport personnel. She makes birthday cakes for the lucky members who attend Donut Day at the airport. Donut Day allows attendees discuss not only aviation news and topics, but local area news and topics, sharing life experiences and making of new friends and contacts. Watching Kim assist Chad and Ryan leading the other airport employees make me ask her, “what can I do to assist you?” Now, I enjoy volunteering as an Airport Navigator along with my friends. We want Kim, and our Murfreesboro Airport, continuing to be STARS. Kim deserves recognition for her service excellence.”

STARS stands for “Succeeding Through Attitudes Reflecting Service Excellence.” STARS are examples of representing the City in a positive light, exhibiting the core values, and creating a better quality of life for citizens.

The STARS Service Excellence program recognizes outstanding employees who embody the city’s standards for service excellence and exemplify the city’s core service values. The purpose of the STARS award is to recognize and reward those employees who go beyond their normal job duties in providing outstanding customer service to internal and external customers. The STARS nominations are reviewed each month by a STARS committee consisting of City employees who then vote for the nominees.

Congratulations to Kimberly Fann for being named a STAR!