Twelve public officials completed New Mexico Certified Public Programs and were recognized at a virtual graduation Dec. 17. New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service administers the nationally-accredited program, NM EDGE, which stands for Education Designed to Generate Excellence in the public sector.
“Today, we honor these notable public servants and their commitment to our mutual goal of better government through education,” said Jeanine Eden, NM EDGE interim program director. “While our day-to-day world suddenly changed over a year ago and continues to be uncertain, these individuals demonstrated the dedication necessary to succeed regardless of these circumstances. They have shown reliance and determination. They have embraced change and have used it to further their professionalism, and by doing so, we know no matter the challenge these good people will emerge with more to offer the public that they are so willingly able to serve.”
Certified Public Official graduates included Hallie Brown, clerk/manager, Village of Tijeras; Diamond Contreras, executive assistant, City of Belen; Nerio Gurule, appraiser/assessor office, Los Alamos County; Aissa Lara, human resource specialist, Eddy County; and Sherrill McDougle, human resource specialist, Eddy County.
“I choose to be a public servant because we are here on this planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can do to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom,” McDougle said. “None of us are responsible for the complexion of our skin. This fact of nature offers no clue to the character or quality of the person underneath.”
Certified Public Supervisor graduates included Matt Clark, emergency service director, Otero County; and Rob Jackson, advanced compliance officer and bond admin, City of Santa Fe.
“I choose to be a public servant because success as a public servant means success for the public you help, which is very rewarding,” Jackson said.
Also recognized for their achievements were Commissioner Joseph Maestas, vice chairman, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, State of New Mexico, as a certified advocate in public ethics (CAPE); Suzanne DeVos-Cole, Mora County Extension agent, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service, as a certified Extension professional (CEP); Clay Kiesling, county commissioner for Union County, and Shannon Reynolds, county commissioner for Doña Ana County, as certified county commissioners (CCC); and Robin Rhodes-Parks, staff accountant, Village of Ruidoso, as a certified public finance professional (CPFP).
“I chose to be a public servant because I have the opportunity to change the lives of over 200,000 people passing one good policy and perhaps, generations to follow,” Reynolds said.
“It was through the dedication and commitment to our NM EDGE mission of better government through education that your NM EDGE team worked together to innovate new ways to turn the program into a live online format,” Eden said.
To learn more about the NM EDGE program, visit https://nmedge.nmsu.edu.