Meet the Candidates: Thomas Lannan

When voters cast their ballots for the next Shelby County Property Assessor, they aren’t just electing a public official—they are choosing the chief executive of an agency that directly impacts the financial health of every homeowner and business owner in the region. The department’s core mission is to provide responsive, accurate information and fair property value services to Shelby County property owners.

To fulfill that mission effectively, the office demands a leader with a proven track record of managing multi-million-dollar budgets, optimizing resources, and leading high-performing teams. That leader is Thomas Lannan.

A Deep-Rooted Commitment to the Mid-South

Tom grew up in Indianapolis as the second of six children and earned his degree from Indiana University. He moved to the Memphis area after being recruited by the Schering-Plough corporation. While his career briefly took him to Nashville and Virginia Beach, the pull of the region was strong. He married Kathy, a Memphis native, and returned to the area over 30 years ago to raise their two children, Patrick and Lauren. Tom and Kathy have now been married for 36 years.

Tom’s dedication to his community is evident in his extensive civic involvement across Shelby County. He doesn't just reside here; he actively works to make it better. Tom currently serves as:

• Board Member and President-Elect for the Collierville Rotary Club

• Chairman of the Collierville Beer Board

His volunteerism spans crucial local non-profits, municipal boards, and business organizations. Having recently taken a hiatus from his active chamber roles, his extensive past service includes serving as a board member and ambassador for the Collierville Chamber of Commerce, an ambassador with the Germantown Chamber of Commerce, an Advisory Board member for the Shelby Literacy Council, a volunteer ambassador for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, and a past board member for Junior Achievement of the Mid-South. This lifelong commitment to service is what drives his candidacy today.

The Executive Advantage: Decades of Proven Success

What sets Tom Lannan apart is his extensive corporate, operational, and financial expertise. The Property Assessor’s office is, at its core, an administrative and analytical operation. Tom has spent his career serving in executive positions managing multi-million-dollar businesses across marketing, research, broadcast production, strategic planning, and financial services.

His professional journey highlights a unique ability to drive growth, maximize efficiency, and build elite teams:

• Financial and Risk Management: As a Registered Representative for New York Life and a Benefits Specialist with Horace Mann / National Teachers Associates, Tom mastered the complexities of financial planning, insurance, and asset protection—skills that translate directly to evaluating property valuation data.

• Operational Leadership: As Vice President and General Manager at entities like The Meridian Group and American Image Productions (a division of Schering-Plough's in-house agency), Tom oversaw substantial organizational growth, including driving a $10 million revenue increase at Meridian and a 100% revenue increase at AIP.

• Team Building: Tom’s leadership philosophy centers on assembling strong, collaborative teams who care about their work and possess a deep drive to serve others.

What Tom Lannan Stands For: The Platform

Tom is seeking the office of Shelby County Property Assessor to utilize his executive management experience to lead the Assessor’s office toward maximum efficiency. His vision for the office rests on three core pillars:

1. Maximizing Efficiency through Total Evaluation

Tom believes that tax dollars must be treated with the utmost respect. Upon taking office, he promises a complete evaluation of all resources within the Assessor’s office. By identifying redundancies and modernizing workflows, Tom will increase productivity and seek meaningful cost-saving measures for the county.

2. Guaranteed Accuracy and Fairness

Property assessments must be fair, predictable, and transparent. Inaccurate assessments create unnecessary financial stress for families and disrupt business planning. Tom’s extensive background in customized market research (including serving as Vice President at Message Factors Research, Inc.) means he understands how to utilize data accurately. He promises accurate and fair assessments for all residential homes and businesses.

3. A Culture of Customer Service

Government offices should work for the people. Tom believes the department must provide property value services and information with responsive and accurate answers to the questions and needs of Shelby County property owners. By bringing his decades of client service, recruiting, and relationship-management experience to the public sector, Tom will ensure the office is dedicated to serving Shelby County residents.

The Impact: A Better Shelby County

Choosing Thomas Lannan means choosing a professional manager with proven leadership capabilities. The impact of his leadership will be felt by every corner of the county:

• For Homeowners: Peace of mind knowing your home value is assessed fairly and accurately.

• For Small Businesses: A reliable partner in the Assessor's office that understands business timelines and provides transparent valuations.

• For Taxpayers: An efficiently run government department that cuts waste, increases productivity, and seeks cost-savings.

Tom Lannan has spent his life building businesses, supporting communities, and leading with integrity. Now, he is ready to utilize that lifetime of management experience to deliver a modern, accurate, and fair Property Assessor’s office for the people of Shelby County.