Lori Rowlette
Working in the Whitfield County Tax Assessor’s Office, Lori Rowlette goes to great lengths to assist the taxpayers of the county.
That’s the word from one of the four co-workers who successfully nominated Rowlette as Whitfield County Employee of the Month for June.
Rowlette has achieved her Appraiser II certification from the Georgia Department of Revenue and is working towards her Appraiser III certification, scheduled to take the exam in August, as she strives to do an even better job for local residents.
Compliments from her fellow workers who nominated her for the award include:
“Lori has knowledge of all aspects of the office. She is willing to assist in any task asked.”
“Excellent customer service!”
“Very knowledgeable of rules and regulations on taxation and guiding taxpayers through the process of filing Business Personal Property and Freeport returns with courtesy and professionalism.”
“Lori is an expert on Freeport Exemption.”
Ms. Rowlette is also very active in charity activities, including the United Way Halloween Costume Contest, United Way Bake Sale, and Office Christmas Child, as well as helping with meals for office socials.
To help local residents learn more about her, Ms. Rowlette filled out the following fun questionnaire.
Name: Lori Rowlette
Job title: Personal Property Appraiser
Time with the county: Going on 11 years
Where I went to high school: Winder Barrow High School in Winder
My role as a county employee: Appraise business assets and the Freeport Exemption
What keeps my job interesting: It’s a new challenge every day plus I get to work with a wide cross section of people. It’s always interesting.
What gives me a sense of accomplishment on the job: Being able to help people.
The most important thing I’ve done on the job: Helping to demystify what we do and letting people know that we care about them and the county.
Where I grew up: My Dad was in the U.S. Air Force so we moved a lot. I counted one time that I had moved over 20 times by my 18th birthday, but Northwest Georgia has always been home.
Family: Single/never married - no children but 12 nieces and nephews
After work, I enjoy: Reading, listening to music, baking, DIY around my house and enjoying the mountains around our area
Community activities: Helping people when I can
Favorite TV show: Supernatural
Favorite sport/sport team: UGA
Favorite meal: I would love to have a spread like my family used to fix for Meemaw’s birthday. You would gain 20 pounds walking in her back door. It was a mix between Christmas dinner and a cook out. Uncle Max would not eat for three days before the meal and would create a moat of food around the edge of the plate then fill the center in. I miss those meals.
Favorite song: It’s a tie between “Runaway” by Del Shannon and “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King.
Favorite Whitfield County restaurant: Town Square Café - Jennie is a sweetheart
Favorite Whitfield County event: I’ll have to say the employee luncheon. Starting in late summer/early fall our office is taken over by the decorations. It’s always neat to see what ideas Jennifer Jones comes up with.
You can pick four people to have dinner with (anyone from any time in history) – who are your four people and why? Oh Lord, that’s a hard one. My late brother Michael Rowlette, Peter Carl Faberge because of his jewelry designs, Dale Chihuly to talk about his glass sculptures, hmmm the last one is a tie between William Morris and Frank Lloyd Wright since I’ve always been intrigued by their designs.
I’m most proud of: Never giving up and always trying to improve myself
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Cake or pie? Cake
Favorite car? 1965 Shelby Cobra
Host or be hosted? Host
Early riser or sleep-in: Lol, depends on the day of the week and my internal clock
Favorite vacation ever: Visiting New Orleans prior to Katrina circa 2000.
Best teacher you ever had: Oh this is a tough one. I have two. Mrs. Ann Landress who taught art at WBHS and Mrs. Jett who taught clothing at WBHS.
Pet peeve: Rude people and bad drivers.
If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: Never give up and things are going to get better, just have to have faith.
Who has had the most impact on my life: My Dad. He is my rock. He is the one who introduced me to art and architecture.
What’s left on my bucket list: Lol, the whole bucket. Going to Murano, Italy and get lost among all the glass studios. Visiting Scotland and tracing where my family has come from. Just exploring the world.
If I could have been in any profession of my choosing, I would have been a: A jewelry designer or historical preservationist.
If I could have two wishes, they would be: To meet my granddaddy Clayton Rowlette and see my loved ones who are no longer with us.
You’d be surprised to learn that I: Have taken classes to be a certified gemologist through GIA (Gemological Institute of America). I’m also learning how to make lamp work glass beads. Yes, me - an open flame plus molten glass!
The best advice I ever got: Take a deep breath and think before you speak