City leaders from across Georgia 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 held June 21-25 at the Savannah Convention Conference Center.

The UGA Institute of Government and GMA welcomed more than 2,400 people attending 50 classes over three days through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. Classes covered topics across the governance spectrum, from data literacy and service delivery to public policy development and employee benefits.

Participants at the Building Bridges Between Cities and Colleges Class.

Participants at the Building Bridges Between Cities and Colleges Class.

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, 97 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 six individuals who were awarded Certificates of Dedication for completing 276 hours of training. Other awards included six Certificates of Distinction for 204 hours, 12 Certificates of Excellence for 120 hours, 30 Certificates of Achievement for 70 hours and 43 Certificates of Recognition for 42 hours.

UGA Institute of Government's Natalie Bock teaches a course at the GMA Annual Convention.

UGA Institute of Government's Natalie Bock teaches a course at the GMA Annual Convention.

The following city officials received Certificates of Recognition at the convention.

Certificate of Dedication (276 hours)

  • Michael B. Johnson, City of Guyton
  • Maceo Mahoney, City of Washington
  • Jessica Payton, City of Cedartown
  • Katherine Scott, City of McIntyre
  • Rashida Taylor, City of Metter
  • Alphonso Thomas, City of Stockbridge

Certificate of Distinction (204 hours)

  • Elton Alexander, City of Stockbridge
  • Tyree Goodlett, City of Dalton
  • John C. Klimm, City of Madison
  • Andrea Pierce, City of Ashburn
  • Scott Stacy, City of Fayetteville
  • Sandra Thornton, City of West Point

Certificate of Excellence (120 hours)

  • Jule Bady, City of Twin City
  • Louise Brown, City of Riceboro
  • Kregg Close, City of Bainbridge
  • Al Edwards, City of Calhoun
  • Steve Fry, City of Williamson
  • Carlos Greer, City of Locust Grove
  • Jon Howell, City of Jefferson
  • Brett North, City of Acworth
  • Bobby Parker, City of Tallapoosa
  • William Pope, City of Tallapoosa
  • Helen Willis, City of South Fulton
  • Justin Wright, City of Centerville

Certificate of Achievement (70 hours)

  • Darryl Albritton, City of Perry
  • Leah Alls, City of Dallas
  • Melissa Bayardelle, City of Hiram
  • Rudy Breedlove, City of Locust Grove
  • Rufus Bright, City of Port Wentworth
  • Stanley Brown, City of Midway
  • Terry Burton, City of Elberton
  • Mark Cochran, City of Rome
  • Tony Cornett, City of Lula
  • Eartha Cummings, City of Tennille
  • Mike Deal, City of Jesup
  • Ruby Foster, City of Chattahoochee Hills
  • Thomas Gary, City of Nicholson
  • Manfred Graeder, City of Duluth
  • Gail Harrell, City of Monticello
  • Michael-Angelo James, City of Waycross
  • Sheila Jefferson, City of Fitzgerald
  • Doris Johnson, City of Thomson
  • Kevin Johnson, City of Fitzgerald
  • Ron Johnson, City of Donalsonville
  • Darryl Langford, City of Fayetteville
  • Kevin Lashley, City of Warner Robins
  • Jeffery Lundy, City of Fort Valley
  • Kendrick McBride, City of Wadley
  • Richard Newbern, City of Wadley
  • Jaceey Sebastian, City of South Fulton
  • David Still, City of Lawrenceville
  • Albert Thurman, City of Powder Springs
  • Jessica Wilbanks, City of Palmetto
  • Travis Wimbush, City of Blakely

 Certificate of Recognition (42 hours)

  • Steve Bailey, City of Douglas
  • Scott Barnes, City of Ball Ground
  • Sheinita Bennett, City of Waycross
  • Alicia Miller Blakely, City of Savannah
  • David Brooks, City of Carrollton
  • Terrell Clark, City of Fayetteville
  • Devlin Cleveland, City of Hampton
  • Keryl Corley, City of Thomson
  • Lester Cromer, City of Tifton
  • Bob Dixon, City of Vidalia
  • Niyah Glover, City of Fayetteville
  • Daniel Graves, City of Elberton
  • Jeffrey Hatcher, City of Donalsonville
  • Annette Homiller, City of Ball Ground
  • Michael Hosti, City of Tybee Island
  • Brandey Jenkins, City of Adairsville
  • Brett Jones, City of Tallapoosa
  • Joshua Kight, City of Dublin
  • Kizziler Knight, City of Woodbine
  • Jonathan Lynn, City of Rincon
  • Kristeen MacNeill, City of Nelson
  • Richard Mascaro, City of Dublin
  • Maurice McBride, City of Waynesboro
  • Oliver McClellan, City of Flowery Branch
  • Craig McDaniel, City of Rome
  • Michelle Owens, City of Tybee
  • Andrew Parker, City of Dalton
  • Barry Peavey, City of Fitzgerald
  • Harold Proctor, City of Sylvester
  • Doug Roper, City of Vidalia
  • Annalee Sams, City of Dalton
  • Joe Sims, City of Barnesville
  • Taylor Sisk, City of Auburn
  • Christopher Smith, City of Dublin
  • Marlene Taylor-Crawford, City of Lawrenceville
  • Teresa Thomas-Smith, City of Palmetto
  • DeAshley Thurman, City of Monticello
  • Fred Van Hartesveldt, City of Fort Valley
  • Kelly Walsh, City of Decatur
  • Brian West, City of Tybee Island
  • Scott Whittle, City of Thomson
  • Corey Williams, City of Greensboro
  • Demetrius Young, City of Albany