The 2018 summer graduating class of New Mexico EDGE County College and certified public manager program. (NMSU photo by Jane Moorman)WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu

SOCORRO – Three public officials have joined the ranks of New Mexico Certified Public Manager, the feature and nationally accredited program of NM EDGE.

Rick Rudometkin, Eddy County manager; Michael Steininger, NM department of finance; and Lawrence Griego, Sandoval County appraiser office supervisor; earned their New Mexico Certified Public Manager designation from the New Mexico EDGE CPM program. NM EDGE, which stands for Education Designed to Generate Excellence in the public sector, is a program administered by New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. (NMSU photo by Jane Moorman)Lawrence Griego, Sandoval County appraiser supervisor; Rick Rudometkin, Eddy County manager; and Michael Steininger, New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration special director, received the top tier designation from the NM EDGE certification program.

They joined 17 public officials, who earned other designations, during the New Mexico EDGE County College graduation at the New Mexico Counties annual conference in Socorro on June 21.

NM EDGE, which stands for Education Designed to Generate Excellence in the public sector, is a program administered by New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service.

"The certified public manager designation is the culmination of 60 three-hour classes, plus a supervised capstone project," said Mary DeLorenzo, program director. "They have each earned their certified public official and certified public supervisor designations prior to receiving this culminating certification."

The three recent graduates join 13 other county, municipal and state public officials who have earned this title.

"Completing this program has given me a wonderful sense of accomplishment," Rudometkin said. "As a leader, I continue to have a renewed focus and vision to be the best I can be. I am very thankful that there is a program that provides practical continuing education for those of us that serve the public."

Rudometkin has also earned the certified advocate for public ethics designation at an earlier date.

"I am better equipped to serve the people of my county because of the NM EDGE program," Griego said. "I gained a wealth of knowledge that has benefited my employer, the Sandoval County assessor's office, by making me a more effective and professional supervisor."

Steininger is the first state agency employee to earn the certified public manager designation. He also earned the certified treasury official designation at an earlier date.

"The NM EDGE program has taught me to think in terms more comprehensive than just finance," Steininger said. "While many businesses decisions involve finance, more solutions should not be finance dictated. The program has taught me ways to better represent the state's local government division of the department of finance and administration by being more confident when communicating with local government elected officials, management and staff."

Also receiving certification diplomas during the ceremony were:
– Bernalillo County: Veronica Cordova, community program specialist, certified public official and certified public supervisor.
– City of Deming : Denise Eaglestar, grant assistant and assistant evidence custodian, certified public official.
– Lea County: Samantha Capps, senior appraiser livestock specialist, certified public official; and Jeff Fountain, juvenile services manager, certified public official.
– Lincoln County: Whitney Whittaker, chief deputy county clerk, certified county clerk designation.
– McKinley County: Georgene Dimas, county metropolitan dispatch authority director, certified public official; and Jose Gabriel, engineering technician, certified public official.
– Otero County: Sylvia Tillbrook, executive assistant, certified public official; and Paige Viscarra, DWI/misdemeanor compliance program coordinator, certified public supervisor and certified advocate for public ethics.
– Santa Fe County: Diolinda Roybal, senior certified prevention specialist, certified public official and certified advocate for public ethics; Gabriella Trujillo, administrative manager, certified public purchasing professional; Anna Martinez, GIS mapper, certified advocate for public ethics; and Matthew C. Montoya, senior appraiser, certified public assessment officer.
– Socorro County: Delilah Walsh, county manager, certified public official and certified public supervisor; and Pauline Jaramillo, county commissioner, certified advocate for public ethics.
– Torrance County: Kathyrn Hernandez, accounts payable and receivable officer, certified public official; and Nick E. Sedillo, chief appraiser and risk manager, certified advocate for public ethics.