Municipal leaders and officials from across the state took part in continuing education classes presented by University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government faculty and other experts at the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Annual Convention in late June at the Savannah Convention Center. The UGA Institute of Government and GMA welcomed more than 2,300 people attending 51 classes over three days through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. Among a wide variety of topics and sessions, the new Building Collaborative Relationships to Solve Community Challenges class was offered, and an updated New & Emerging Technology for Cities class launched with new instructors and fresh material.

The Holtz Municipal Training Institute is a partnership between the UGA Institute of Government and GMA. It provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials.

At the convention, 74 municipal officials were awarded certificates for continuing education. A person must complete a minimum 42 units of credit, including at least 18 hours from a list of required classes, to receive a Certification of Recognition. This year’s recipients included three individuals who were awarded Certificates of Dedication for completing 276 hours of training. Other awards included 12 Certificates of Distinction for 204 hours, 11 Certificates of Excellence for 120 hours, 20 Certificates of Achievement for 72 hours and 28 Certificates of Recognition for 42 hours.

Institute of Government Director Rob Gordon honored nine city leaders for their commitment and dedication to professional development with a new designation: The 400 Club. The 400 Club is an elite status earned by those who have accumulated more than 400 hours of municipal training through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute.

“These city officials have completed 400 or more hours of training through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, surpassing not just expectations, Gordon said. “This level of achievement is a testament to their steadfast commitment to advancing both themselves as city leaders and the communities they serve.”

Those recognized for training achievements at the convention include:

Certificate of Recognition (42 hours)

  • Artlise Alston-Cone, City of Port Wentworth
  • Gwen Atkinson-Williams, City of Brunswick
  • Lance Bagley, City of Dahlonega
  • Daniel Brown, City of Dahlonega
  • Deborah Brown, City of Sandersville
  • Teresa Crowe, City of Stone Mountain
  • Power Evans, City of Winder
  • Gilbert Freeman, City of Stone Mountain
  • Vilnis Gaines, City of Albany
  • Jeff Hardin, City of McRae-Helena
  • Fletcher Hodges, City of Royston
  • Elena Hudson, City of Douglasville
  • Kelly Hughes, City of Barnesville
  • Keisha Jeffcoat, City of Mableton
  • Christopher Leighty, City of Lake City
  • Shonya Mapp, City of Milledgeville
  • Maxine McClanahan, City of Walnut Grove
  • Perry Morgan, City of Jesup
  • Melissa Mular, City of Sandy Springs
  • Kendra Rolle, City of Brunswick
  • John Royal, City of Screven
  • Lance Sabbe, City of Brunswick
  • William Shirley, City of Dahlonega
  • Cody Shiver, City of Pelham
  • Ulysses Smallwood, City of Fairburn
  • Graham Snyder, City of Eastman
  • Fredda Wheeler, City of Toccoa
  • Charles Wright, City of Griffin

Certificate of Achievement (70 hours)

  • Steve Bailey, City of Douglas
  • Scott Barnes, City of Ball Ground
  • Harry Brock, City of Rome
  • Terrell Clark, City of Fayetteville
  • Wayne Clay, City of McRae-Helena
  • Lester Cromer, Jr., City of Tifton
  • Larry Curtis, City of Warner Robins
  • Franklin Etheridge, City of Lula
  • Katrena Felder, City of Waycross
  • Daniel Graves, City of Elberton
  • Earl Henderson, City of Ringgold
  • Ralph Hickox, City of Jesup
  • Alan Jones, City of Fayetteville
  • Harry Moyer, City of Calhoun
  • Linda Pritchett, City of South Fulton
  • Pamela Shuman, City of Jesup
  • DeAshley Thurman, City of Monticello
  • Fred Van Hartesveldt, City of Fort Valley
  • Betsy Wagenhauser, City of Madison
  • Alecia Washington, City of Stonecrest

Certificate of Excellence (120 hours)

  • Terry Burton, City of Elberton
  • Carla Coley, City of Cochran
  • James Eubanks, City of Pelham
  • Mike Gowen, City of Douglas
  • Michael-Angelo James, City of Waycross
  • Victoria Jones, City of Lawrenceville
  • Eric Joyce, City of Madison
  • Gabrielle Nelson, City of Port Wentworth
  • Edwin Taylor, City of Douglas
  • Vanessa Thomas, City of McDonough
  • Samantha Young, City of Woodbine

Certificate of Distinction (204 hours)

  • Yolanda Barber, City of Stockbridge
  • Kelly Bomar, City of Ringgold
  • Brainard Crawford, City of Tennille
  • Linda Davis, City of Fairburn
  • Tyson Jackson, City of Social Circle
  • Cecil McDaniel, City of Barnesville
  • Robert Moore, City of Blairsville
  • Bianca Motley Broom, City of College Park
  • Traysa Price, City of Social Circle
  • Janie Reid, City of Eatonton
  • Valyncia Smith, City of Conyers
  • Chris Watts, City of Douglasville

Certificate of Dedication (276 hours)

  • Keith Boone, City of Locust Grove
  • Juanita Bryant, City of Fort Valley
  • Michael Chidester, City of Byron

400 Club (400 hours)

  • Phyllis Bynum-Grace, City of Perry
  • Anthony Ford, City of Stockbridge
  • Clifford Holmes, City of Warner Robins
  • Jason Holt, City of Fitzgerald 
  • Collinda J. Lee, City of Milledgeville
  • Gregory L. Paige, City of Adel
  • Rufus Stewart, City of McDonough
  • Tiffany Zeigler, City of Pembroke
  • Keith Turman, City of Royston