By Thomas Sellers Jr.
On Aug. 27 the leaders of the City of Millington checked the numbers and crunched the figures to throw a little shindig at the Baker Community Center.
A few special guests like Tennessee Senator Paul Rose, Millington Mayor Terry Jones, Millington City Manager Ed Haley, Industrial Development Board’s Charles Gulotta and aldermen came out to celebrate the career and retirement of City Financial Director John Trusty.
The husband of Debbie and father of Clint and Blair came to Flag City back in November 2010. For nearly 11 years, Trusty brought his financial expertise to Millington helping fund for new private, commercial and government developments.
“My goal later in life for a long time was to be able to retire then go work for either a small government or a non-profit,” Trusty recalled. “Otherwise someone who wouldn’t be able to hire somebody with my experience or pay level. It’s really unique that God puts you in interesting places sometimes and prepares you in interesting ways for things.”
Trusty graduated from Memphis East High School and earned his degree from the now University of Memphis. He became a certified public accountant in the late 1970s. He was a part of the Tennessee Society of CPAs in which he served as president in 1997.
Trusty worked for the Shelby County Government from 1982 to 2010 serving in roles like CFO under then Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout.
“When he left office AC Wharton didn’t keep me as Chief Financial Officer,” Trusty reflected. “Fall back right I got in at the corrections center. I ultimately spent my last 8 years in county government out there. But I was over virtually all the operations of the correction center except for supervising corrections officers. That ultimately prepared me to work here in Millington.”
It was in the fall of 2010, then Millington Mayor Richard Hodges reached out to Trusty.
“Mayor Hodges called me a week after I was eligible for retirement under their new plan,” he noted. “And that’s how I ended up out there in Millington. God prepares you to have all the tools you need. As Ed said, you have to make sure you know Him.”
Haley presented Trusty with a gift on behalf of the city. Jones recognized him with a plaque for his nearly 11 years of service to Millington.
And Rose took to the podium to reflect on Trusty’s years of service to government, his church Colonial Park United Methodist and the Boy Scouts of America.
Trusty had the final words at the ceremony touching on his 46 years of marriage, relationship with Ed Haley and thanking the many people he crossed paths with.
“The city, the citizens, the employees, everybody welcomed me from day one. I was so welcomed here absolutely from day one,” he said. “It has been a joy to work with every employee and citizen. To serve them and be a part of this community. I do talk about this city with love.
“I want to thank all the employees of the city,” Trusty concluded. “Each of you and your approach to getting the job done has made my job much easier. That’s why this teamwork we’ve had her all this time, this city has been able to accomplish what it has in the last few years. IT wasn’t me, it wasn’t Ed. It was all of us and that’s the only way we’ve been able to do it.”
