Local official recognized for finishing management program

Three public officials, including Curry County’s chief deputy assessor, completed the New Mexico Certified Public Management Program and were recognized at a virtual graduation last month.

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.

“NM EDGE serves as a program of New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service to find and fill educational gaps in the public sector with classes that are affordable, accessible and meaningful,” said Mary C. DeLorenzo, NM EDGE program director. “We honor these notable public servants and their commitment to our mutual goal of better government through education. These individuals have demonstrated their dedication to succeed regardless of the circumstances.”

Certified Public Manager graduates included Janie Hoffman, Quay County assessor; Randa Jesko, certified public assessment officer and Curry County chief deputy assessor and geographic information system analyst; and Stan Ross, New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability architectural access specialist.

“Being a part of the New Mexico EDGE offers a wide variety of opportunities,” said Jeanine Eden, NM EDGE program coordinator. “These graduates had to complete a capstone project and many hours of hard thought and dedication in the realm of public service.”

To earn the New Mexico Certified Public Manager designation, a minimum of 300 hours with 60 classes, 18 hours of assessments and a supervised capstone are required.

“It’s a process and a journey that takes us with them throughout, and we are honored to welcome them into the ranks of certified public managers worldwide,” DeLorenzo said.

“I choose to be a public servant because I’m really honored to give back to this community that has given me so much,” Jesko said. “I’m proud of Curry County. It’s my home. This place raised me and invested in me my whole life, and choosing to serve this community allows me to do my part to make a difference and play an active role in this community’s progress.”

“I choose to be a public servant because serving other people brings excitement and joy into my life,” Hoffman said.

“I choose to be a public servant because I believe it enables me to contribute to the betterment of life for all of us,” Ross said.

Also recognized for their achievements were Venessa Ellen Burk, Albuquerque Housing Authority procurement specialist, as a certified public purchasing professional; Melissa Ann Gunn, Curry County human resources director, as a certified public official; and Michelle Romero, Los Lunas Public Schools director of purchasing and chief procurement officer, as a certified advocate in public ethics.

To learn more about the NM EDGE program, go to nmedge.nmsu.edu.