County Manager Steve Lynne outside the Municipal Building Tuesday evening just ahead of his final County Council meeting. He retires Friday after 28 years of service. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Councilors honor retiring County Manager Steve Lynne at his final Council meeting Tuesday evening by wearing copies of his favorite tie dye t-shirts. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
The community is experiencing the end of an era as Los Alamos County Manager Steve Lynne retires Friday following a 28-year career, starting in the finance department and ending at the helm.
He shares his final message to the community as county manager:
“Thank you Los Alamos!! I feel incredibly lucky that we magically ended up here and I have been very privileged and honored to serve you for the past 28 years,” Lynne said. “I very quickly learned that Los Alamos is a Community – we are engaged and we care about each other. That has made living here and working for the County so rewarding. Los Alamos is an exceptional place and Suzanne and I plan on staying here. I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for making my time here, so far, truly wonderful. I am looking forward to many future years here, continued enjoyment, and being engaged in a great community in other new and fascinating ways. Thanks and Peace.”
Lynne said he believes it has been his job to enhance the quality of life in Los Alamos by effectively implementing the County’s strategic goals and policies. Since joining Los Alamos County in February 1996, Lynne spent his first 14 years with the County’s Office of Management and Budget, rising to Chief Financial Officer in 2000. In 2010, Lynne was promoted to Administrative Services Director/Chief Financial Officer responsible for the performance of the Information Technology, Office of Management and Budget, and Procurement, Materials Management and Risk Management divisions.
In February 2011, Lynne was appointed to one of two Acting Assistant County Administrator positions to assist in the operational oversight of all departments and overall coordination of several of the County’s major projects. He later was promoted to Deputy Manager, and in that position, had oversight of the Administrative Services Department, as well as the Community Services Department.
Lynne holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to coming to Los Alamos County, Lynne worked with public accounting firms in Florida and New Mexico, with an emphasis in auditing local government clients.
Throughout the week county, community and state leaders and members of his family shared their congratulations, thoughts and well wishes for Lynne as his final day on the job draws near:
Sen. Leo Jaramillo: “Thank you Steve for your time, energy and service to the residents of Los Alamos County. You are going to be missed … I wish you all the best in your retirement!”
Rep. Christine Chandler: “With Steve Lynne’s retirement, the County is losing a dedicated and knowledgeable leader who has served us well for decades. I’ve known and worked with Steve over the years as a county councilor and now as State Representative. I know his work as the County’s lead financial officer, then as Deputy County Manager and now as our County Manager. Steve is a thoughtful person who approached every issue with the aim of advancing the interest of county residents. Steve has dedicated his career to service the public. I commend him for that, and wish him well in his retirement.”
Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thom Mason: “Steven has been a great partner over the years in helping bring the Laboratory and Los Alamos County together to achieve beneficial outcomes on both sides. I wish him well in his retirement and look forward to working with our next county manager.”
County Council Chair Denise Derkacs: “On behalf of County Council, I extend our sincere appreciation to Steve Lynne for 28 years of outstanding service to Los Alamos County, our congratulations on his well-earned retirement, and our best wishes for his continued success, happiness, and good health in the years to come.”
Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent: “Many of us at the County have been lucky enough to work for and with Steve Lynne. He is humble, he is funny, he cares, and of course he is good with budgets and numbers…but more importantly he modeled for all of us that working collaboratively for the betterment of the community and the organization is what matters the most. I am so thankful and appreciative of Steve as a boss, a colleague, a friend, and for his 28 years of public service to Los Alamos County!”
Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson: “I have had the privilege of working with Steve in the County Manager’s office for almost 10 years. I appreciate his institutional knowledge and his passion for providing exceptional service to our community. His calm and steady leadership has guided this organization through prosperous and challenging times. The community has been so blessed to have this dedicated public servant for the last 28 years. I wish Steve and Suzanne all the best as they begin this new chapter of their life! Thanks, Steve, for being such an inspiration to me and for all you have taught me!”
Fire Chief Troy Hughes: “I have had the pleasure to work with Steve for the last 12 years. His steadfast leadership has been instrumental in successfully completing two 10 year agreements with DOE and four labor contract negotiations the firefighters union. Steve is honest, hardworking, and trusted. Los Alamos is a better community because of Steve. He will be missed.”
Police Chief Dino Sgambellone: “I have really enjoyed working for Steve. He is a great leader that has continued to move the County forward. Although sad to see him go, I am happy for Steve and his family and I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”
Administrative Services Director Helen M. Perraglio: “Steve has left a lasting legacy of financial excellence, providing great leadership, fairness, and never being stingy with institutional knowledge. He has truly been a mentor, has been a joy to work with in that he has always had a way to keep things light and also fun, and will be greatly missed.”
Public Works Director Juan Rael, P.E.: “I want to thank Steve for being a great leader. Steve had a great way to lead with compassion and empathy, that was felt throughout the organization. We will miss him greatly and wish him the best on retirement.”
Community Development Director Paul Andrus: “It’s been a tremendous pleasure to work with Steve, one of smartest and supportive leaders I have ever experienced in local government. His positive and collaborative nature (along with the tie dye shirts) will be greatly missed.”
Public Information Officer Julie Williams-Hill: “Steve is a great boss. I feel privileged to have been a part of his fantastic team for the past two years. I wish him all the best in retirement.”
UNM-LA Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw: “Steve is knowledgeable and highly effective as a county manager, but what makes him special is that he has always been so accessible to the public at large and is always present in the community.”
UNM-LA Chancellor (retired) Cindy Rooney: “Working with Steve over the years has been a pleasure. He is kind, wise, and honorable, and has made our community a much better place.”
LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy: “I want to wish Steve a much deserved happy retirement. Steve is a strong supporter of the Los Alamos Public Schools. Steve has always been there for the school district in times of success and challenge. He has fostered a collaborative relationship with the district and regularly advocates for students. Our school district is better because of the support that we get from the county and from Steve’s passion for making our county a great place to live. I personally will miss his calm, caring nature and willingness to always listen. I wish him the best!”
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Board Chair Bill Wadt: “I have known Steve for over 25 years, when I first worked with him on a strategic plan for the County. Steve always had a long-term vision for our community. His kind, thoughtful approach has made Los Alamos a better place to live, work, and do business. Thank you, Steve!”
Wife Suzanne Lynne: “I am very proud of Steve and all of his accomplishments. He loves Los Alamos and took great pride in working for the county. I am looking forward to spending a lot more time with him, though.”
Daughters Melanie and Sabrina Lynne: “Our father has had a truly inspiring career exemplifying the values of teamwork, commitment, and balance. We are proud of and delighted by his accomplishment. Every day of the past 28 years of hard work, he has also been an incredible father and husband. We are so excited to see what he does with this next phase of life and honored to be along for the adventure. Congratulations, Dad!”
As far as Lynne’s plans for retirement, he intends to spend more time with his family and friends, travel and enjoy the community as a resident. Following his departure, Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent will be promoted to County Manager effective Monday, March 4.
Note: Community members, friends and co-workers are invited to join Lynne and his family at a retirement celebration 4-6 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Fuller Lodge.
