# Agendas & Meetings
Watch On Demand - Clerk Live Roundtable
Watch as seasoned clerks from across the U.S. share best practices, tips, and learnings to help fellow colleagues navigate their careers in this roundtable-style discussion.
Original Air Date: Thursday, January 25
Watch On Demand
We were thrilled to recently bring together clerks and government staff from across the United States to share in an important discussion led by an esteemed panel of experienced clerks. Watch as they share best practices, tips, and experiences aimed at helping clerks navigate their careers in local government.
Meet Our Roundtable Panelists
City/State: Travis County, Texas
Name/Title: Gillian Porter, Commissioners Court Specialist
Years in Government: 20
Bio: Originally from Bristol, England, where she earned a degree in pathology sciences, Gillian moved to the U.S. in 1996. She began her career with the Travis County clerk’s office in 2005 and has served as the Commissioners Court Specialist since 2006.
City/State: Parkville, Missouri
Name/Title: Melissa McChesney, CMC, MRCC; City Clerk/Communications
Years in Government: 20
Bio: Melissa, a College of the Ozarks graduate in 2003 and Baker University in 2009, has been the City Clerk of Parkville since 2013. She holds a Missouri Registered City Clerk Certification since 2017 and a Certified Municipal Clerk Certification as of 2023, following a 9-year tenure as Deputy Clerk of the Board in Johnson County, Kansas.
City/State: Portage, Michigan
Name/Title: Erica L. Eklov, MiPMC; City Clerk/Communications
Years in Government: 14
Bio: Erica, an alumna of Western Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University, has served the City of Portage for 14 years, currently as City Clerk, where she is actively involved in city records, elections, and licensing processes. Erica holds various certifications, including Michigan Professional Municipal Clerk (MiPMC), and is a member of the International and Michigan Associations of Municipal Clerks.
City/State: Franklin, Tennessee
Name/Title: Angie Skarp, PHR, CMC; City Recorder
Years in Government: 15
Bio: Angie began her career in local government 15 years ago as a City Clerk in Laramie, Wyoming. She serves as the City Recorder for Franklin, Tennessee, and Vice President of the Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders (TAMCAR). Angie is known for her expertise in change management and employee engagement, with notable achievements in developing mentorship programs in two different municipalities.
City/State: Brookhaven, New York
Name/Title: Kevin J. LaValle, Town Clerk
Years in Government: 13
Bio: Kevin, with a Political Science degree from Salisbury University, has had a varied career in government, including roles as Chief of Staff for Legislator Daniel Losquadro and Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore. He also co-owned Pinnacle Title Agency and is now in the mortgage sector at Lynx Mortgage Bank. Politically, he served as a Town Councilman in Brookhaven and was elected Town Clerk of Brookhaven in 2023.