Senator Daphne Jordan announces Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner as her 2019 “Woman of Distinction” for the 43rd Senate District

Albany, NY – Senator Daphne Jordan (R,C,I,Ref-Halfmoon), today proudly announced her selection of Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner as her 2019 “Woman of Distinction” for the 43rd Senate District that includes all of Columbia County, and parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Washington counties.


The New York State Senate’s Women of Distinction program showcases outstanding women living and working in our state whose personal and professional contributions have greatly enriched the quality of life in their communities and beyond. All of the 63 Women of Distinction honorees will have their successes celebrated by New York State Senators during a special public recognition ceremony in Albany this evening.


The online link to the New York State Senate 2019 Women of Distinction Gallery announcing Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner as Senator Jordan’s 2019 Woman of Distinction for the 43rd Senate District is available at https://www.nysenate.gov/profiles/2019/daphne-jordan/holly-tanner.


First elected Columbia County Clerk in 2002, Holly Tanner has faithfully served Columbia County taxpayers for 17 years. Some of the many successes achieved during Holly Tanner’s tenure as Columbia County Clerk include saving Columbia County taxpayers millions of dollars through efficient operations, transitioning to computerized records, launching successful marketing and revenue campaigns, as well as an inactive records center. 


Clerk Tanner also implemented the popular FAVOR (Find and Assist Vets on Record) Program for Columbia County veterans, and the KISS (Keep Identities of Seniors Safe) Program for Columbia County seniors. Both beloved programs contribute to the sense of community so important to Columbia County.


“Whether it’s helping senior citizens, honoring military veterans, or protecting taxpayers, nobody’s done more in faithfully serving, representing, and fighting for Columbia County families, and improving Columbia County’s quality of life, than Holly Tanner. I’m proud to name her my 2019 Woman of Distinction and look forward to partnering with her on a whole host of important local projects for our Columbia County community,” Senator Jordan said.


“It is an honor and privilege being selected by Senator Jordan as her very first Woman of Distinction for the 43rd Senate District. I appreciate Senator Jordan choosing me for this wonderful recognition that will forever mean so much to my family and me. I too look forward to a continued public service partnership with Senator Jordan and her office so we can keep meeting the important needs of Columbia County families,” Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner said.

Biography: Holly Tanner, Columbia County Clerk, Senator Daphne Jordan’s 2019 Woman of Distinction for the 43rd Senate District

Professional service, efficient operations and dedicated community service are hallmarks of Holly Tanner’s highly successful tenure as Columbia County Clerk. Elected in 2002, Clerk Tanner has faithfully served Columbia County taxpayers for 17 years.


Born and raised in Ghent, Clerk Tanner is the proud daughter of dairy farmers Walt and Jean Nyfeler. Growing up, Clerk Tanner was very involved in the family farm and agricultural organizations. In 1986, she was named Columbia County Dairy Princess and was a member of the Milkmen and Buccaneers 4H Clubs showing registered Jersey cows and her horse, Lady.


Clerk Tanner has saved Columbia County taxpayers millions of dollars through efficient operations, transitioning to computerized records, launching successful marketing and revenue campaigns and an inactive records center. Clerk Tanner implemented the popular FAVOR (Find and Assist Vets on Record) Program for Columbia County veterans and the KISS (Keep Identities of Seniors Safe) Program for Columbia County seniors.


Clerk Tanner served as President of the NYS Association of County Clerks (NYSACC) and serves as NYSACC’s Hudson Valley Regional Co-Chair, is a member of NYS Local Government Records Advisory Committee Region 3, NYSACC’s Courts Committee, Legislative Committee, SAFE Act Committee, and is currently Co-Chair of the NYS DMV Committee.


Clerk Tanner serves as President of the Hudson Lions Club, is past Chairperson of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s Advisory Committee, the United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties, and the Columbia County Honor-a-Vet Committee. Clerk Tanner also sits on the Hudson Flag Day Committee and is a member of the Columbia County Honor-a-Vet Committee.


Clerk Tanner was named NYSACC’s Clerk of the Year in 2011 and, in 2012, she received NYSACC’s Achievement Award. Clerk Tanner also received the 2011 Lincoln Award and the Columbia County Sportsmen Federation Recognition Award in 2011, and the Columbia County Conservative Party Recognition Award and the Columbia County Good Scouting Award in 2015, respectively. In 2018, Clerk Tanner was honored with NYSACC’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. 


Clerk Tanner resides in West Ghent with her husband Ron, and their two children, Lauren (17), and W. Gavin (14), along with a number of pets.
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