Congratulations Honorees
Thirty-five Arkansans who earned certification in public and volunteer management were honored Thursday, May 21, 2015, by the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium (APAC) in a ceremony at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion.
John M. Selig, director, Arkansas Department of Human Services, was the keynote speaker. Mr. Selig shared his thoughts on the importance of rigorous professional development and encouraged the graduates to continue learning and applying their knowledge at their organizations.
Special awards were presented to two graduates: Debbie G. Biggs, personnel manager, Department of Arkansas Heritage, received an award for Outstanding CPM Project Plan. Her topic was “Department of Arkansas Heritage Director Training Program.” Ellen Brown, Heifer Village coordinator, Heifer International, received an award for Outstanding CVM Project Narrative. Her topic was “Planning and Organizing Heifer Village’s Annual Beyond Hunger Event.”
(Pictured left to right: Dr. Jerry Stevenson, Master of Public Administration Program professor at UALR; Debbie Biggs; and Jolie Busby, APAC interim administrator.)
Arkansas Public Administration Consortium is a consortium of three universities in the state, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas. The APAC has been successfully delivering training and education to managers and leaders from the public and nonprofit sectors since 1985.
The Arkansas Governmental Manager (AGM) program provides management training to middle and upper level manager in public and nonprofit agencies and in local and county government. The AGM designation is attained upon completion of ten two-day courses and a service project.The AGM graduates are:
Arkadelphia:
Carol Ann Archer Holland - Arkansas Department of Human Services/DCO
Bentonville:
Wesley R. Young - Arkansas Department of Human Services/DCO
Hot Springs:
Dr. Dawn Tirado Simpson - ACTI/Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Little Rock:
Christopher Batterton - Arkansas Department of Information Systems
Leonard A. Boyle, Sr. - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Rebecca A. Edwards - Arkansas Department of Workforce Services
Grant Grigg - Arkansas Real Estate Commission
Nikki Diana Heck - Commissioner of State Lands
Adita Karkera - Arkansas Department of Information Systems
Jessica Choate McGrath - Arkansas State Library
Nickie Sheffield - DF&A -Office of Personnel Management
Laurie Spencer - Commissioner of State Lands
Mayflower:
Jason Parker - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
North Little Rock:
Erin Townsend - Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Danna Weaver - Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Piggott:
Annette Dutka - Arkansas Department of Human Services/DCO
Texarkana:
Lindey Ayers Emerson - Arkansas Department of Workforce Services
Arkansas Governmental Manager certificate holders earn the Certified Public Manager® (CPM) designation by completing five additional courses, submission of a Project Plan for their agency, documenting 40 professional development hours and successfully passing a comprehensive exam. CPM graduates are eligible for membership in the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.The CPM graduates are:
Hot Springs:
Dr. Dawn Tirado Simpson - ACTI/Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Little Rock:
Debbie G. Biggs - Department of Arkansas Heritage
Leonard A. Boyle, Sr. - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Allen Coleman - Arkansas Department of Workforce Services
Ashley Johnson Cross - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Grant Grigg - Arkansas Real Estate Commission
April M. Hickman - Arkansas Department of Labor
Reese M. Pearce - Pulaski County Assessor’s Office
Laurie Spencer - Commissioner of State Lands
William Keith Tarter - Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
The Certified Volunteer Manager (CVM) program is a nationally recognized program designed for administrators, directors, managers and coordinators of volunteers and volunteer programs. Participants in the CVM program complete six professional management workshops and a management narrative focusing on volunteer leadership, professional standards and achievements and new developments in the theory and practice of volunteer management. The CVM graduates are:
Benton:
Jean Sorrells - Central Arkansas Development Council
Susan Wills - Central Arkansas Development Council