The County Officials Association of Tennessee has named Hamilton County Juvenile Court Clerk Gary Behler its 2023 State Court Clerk of the Year.
Behler has served as the juvenile court clerk in Hamilton County since he was elected in 2010. During his tenure, he transitioned his office from a paper-driven process to an electronic workflow. His office has now digitized over 8.6 million pages.
Juvenile court also features a new integrated data management system that includes electronic file management in the main and child support court divisions. In February 2018, the County Technical Assistance Service recognized Behler’s office as the first fully electronic state court clerk’s office in Tennessee.
In addition, the court’s electronic filing system, implemented in 2022, was one of the first to serve juvenile courts in Tennessee.
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw says Behler’s recognition comes as no surprise to him.
“I’ve said to people several times this year that we have the best court clerk in the state. Mr. Behler’s recognition from his peers solidifies what I already knew.
“Through his local and statewide work, Gary sets himself apart as a forward-thinking leader who’s always looking for the next big advancement in the delivery of services he and his deputy clerks provide. For me, he’s a great partner in the operation of the court activities in the building. But just as important is that he’s always a great partner for the big picture, too. His long career working with families in Hamilton County comes in handy regularly.
“Hamilton County Juvenile Court is not just a court but is also a crossroads of social services and family work. Mr. Behler understands this and is always ready to help. I value his friendship and professionalism and am super proud of his most recent award.”
Behler is a board member and the immediate past-president of the Tennessee State Court Clerk’s Association and a former legislative chair. He also serves on the board of directors of COAT.
In July, Behler began a two-year term as board chairman of the Hamilton County Children’s Advocacy Center. He recently concluded his term on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, to which Gov. Bill Haslam appointed him and Gov. Bill Lee reappointed him.
Behler graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1980 and received his Master of Science in criminal justice with honors from UTC in 1990.
He’s a certified public administrator as well as a certified county financial officer.
Behler has served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at UTC for 33 years.
Behler and his wife, Jamie, a kindergarten teacher at the Chattanooga School for Liberal Arts, live in Georgetown. They’re active members of Bayside Baptist Church in Harrison, where Behler serves as a deacon. They have two adult children.
Each year, the Tennessee State Court Clerk’s Association selects a State Court Clerk of the Year. Behler was selected from a pool of every state court clerk in Tennessee.
COAT Executive Director Rodney Archer says Behler has demonstrated his dedication to the association, Hamilton County and the State of Tennessee. “He’s been a tremendous asset to COAT through the years. I can’t think of a better person to receive this award.”
The County Officials Association of Tennessee serves as an advocate and resource for county officials from every county in the state. COAT membership is comprised of state court clerks, county clerks, registers of deeds and county trustees in Tennessee. The association was founded in 1968.
Sources: County Officials Association of Tennessee; Judge Rob Philyaw