The first state employee and the first municipal employee to graduate from NM EDGE's nationally accredited Certified Public Manager program were honored in ceremonies during August.

Sandy Martinez, New Mexico State Personnel Office director of employee relations and statewide training, and Wesley Hooper, City of Deming project coordinator, received the designation of Certified Public Official, the first level of the three-tiered program.

Martinez received the certificate of completion during the State Personnel Board meeting in Santa Fe on Aug. 30, while Hooper was honored on Aug. 30 during the New Mexico Municipal League annual conference in Las Cruces.

NM EDGE - Education Designed to Generate Excellence in the Public Sector - is a program administered by New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. The purpose of the professional training is to encourage better government through education.

"These are our first graduates under the umbrella program of NM EDGE, which expanded from the original County College program," said Mary DeLorenzo, NM EDGE program director. "Among others, Bill Fulginiti, executive director of New Mexico Municipal League, encouraged us to expand the scope of our program beyond County College to provide training to all public sector entities, such as municipalities, state agencies and other public-oriented organizations that have a need for specialized training.

"Eugene Moser, state personnel director, is enthusiastic about this program. He and Mr. Fulginiti both serve on the New Mexico Certified Public Manager advisory board and bring a wealth of experience to the table," DeLorenzo said.

To earn the Certified Public Official designation, the individual has to complete at least 18 three-hour classes in fields such as government, management, human resources and more.

In her position with the State Personnel Office, Martinez knows the importance of professional training.

"One class that I really enjoyed and that made a difference for me was Knowing Your Government," Martinez said. "I believe every state government employee should be required to take a class like this that focuses on the New Mexico Constitution, government structure and statutory provisions that are applicable to public officials and public employees. This was a wonderful introductory course to state government in New Mexico."

Hooper, new to government employment, credits the Certified Public Management courses for helping him to get up to speed more quickly in his job.

"I feel that the NM EDGE classes have been a great benefit to me and the City of Deming because they have helped me become more proficient within the field of local government in a very short time," Hooper said. "I look forward to taking more classes and to earn my Certified Public Supervisor and Certified Public Manager designations."

For more information about NM EDGE and upcoming classes, visit http://nmedge.nmsu.edu.