Twelve graduates of the New Mexico Certified Public Program were recognized at a ceremony during the New Mexico Counties annual conference at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico, June 15. 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.
“Hundreds of New Mexico public officials take NM EDGE classes each year, and we celebrate those who have completed all classes required for certification,” NM EDGE Program Director Christy Green said. “NM EDGE is a program designed to provide a comprehensive course of study to administrators, managers, elected officials and staff in local, state, tribal and national government, through which participants can acquire and apply the best practices and theory to their management behaviors and strategies using the highest professional standards.”
Certified Public Official graduates included Carmen S. Colacchio, Chaves County benefits administrator; Jessica McParlin, Sandoval County chief deputy treasurer; Denisse Riffle, McKinley County Community Services Department director; Curtis A. Valencia, Los Alamos County appraiser; and Sheila Vigil, Rio Arriba County executive assistant. McParlin also earned a Certified Treasury Official designation.
Certified County Clerk graduates included Leslie Nabours, Luna County chief deputy clerk; Michelle Paz, Socorro County chief deputy clerk; and Betty Saavedra, Socorro County clerk. Nabours also earned a Certified Advocate in Public Ethics designation.
Certified Public Finance Professional graduates included Eric Luchetti, State of New Mexico staff manager, and Stephanie D. Ortiz, State of New Mexico budget and finance analyst.
Teri K. Harris, San Juan County administrative assistant for risk management, earned a Certified Public Risk Management designation and Holly S. Sandoval, Union County assessor, earned a Certified Public Assessment Officer designation.
For more information about NM EDGE, visit https://nmedge.nmsu.edu/.