Kentucky Society of Certified Public Managers®

By Janice Earnest, CPM
janice.earnest@ky.gov

Society members attended the April graduation ceremony at the Frankfort Convention Center to greet the CPM graduates and invite them to join the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Managers®. Of the 208 graduates from the Kentucky Certified Public Manager® program, the following are members of the KSCPM:

• Robert Todd Bailey
• Thomas G. Blankenship
• Janet Lee Brockwell
• Robert O. Brown
• Elyse Christian
• Richard W. Parkos
• Sallie E. Razor
• Jeanettie Sam Riedling
• Stan Riley
• Larry O. Roberts
• Barbara B. Rucker
• Michael S. Schwendeman
• Candy Simms
• Robin S. Whitaker

KSCPM also recognized graduates who submitted exceptional project reports as part of their program requirements. There were seven graduates who received an award from President-elect Tony Smith for their excellent work. KSCPM selected one of the projects by Laura Lynne Best as the Kentucky Askew Award winner to be recognized at the American Academy of Certified Public Managers® Professional Development Conference in Madison, WI in September. KSCPM President and AACPM Board Member-at-Large Robinil Jameson delivered an inspirational message at the ceremony, on behalf of AACPM President Ron Buchholz.

On May 1,  the KSCPM held their 8th Annual Professional Development and Educational Seminar at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort, KY. The theme, “Management: Visions and Opportunities Shifting in the Workplace,” focused on leadership challenges and issues of today and tomorrow facing public sector managers.

Society members, and other state employees, as well as graduates and current students enrolled in the KY Certified Public Managers® program, attended the all day session and heard from Justice Mary C. Noble, elected to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in November 2006 to serve the 5th Supreme Court District. Justice Noble gave an overview of the four Kentucky courts—District, Circuit, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. She said, “The District Court is where most people live—Traffic, Criminal Offense, Misdemeanor, Estate under $4,000, Small Claims under $1,500, and Juvenile Court fall under District Court. Felony Criminal cases and large civil cases are handled in Circuit Court. The right of appeal is the next court up. All subsequent appeals to the next higher court are at the discretion of that court.”

Personnel Cabinet Secretary Brian J. Crall instructed us to "Under promise and over deliver.” Also, work on ‘continuous improvement.’”

Aaron Thompson, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Sociology at Eastern Kentucky University, said, “A key component of   leadership is  trust. It is only when you have followers, those who have placed trust in you, that you have moved into a role of leadership. Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty and do share good news with your employees.”

Priscilla McCowan, a Training Manager for the Education Cabinet, Department of Workforce Investment, provided humorous management tips: “Humor at work improves customer service, fosters open communication, improves employee morale, decreases absences and inappropriate behavior and decreases negative conflict. If you take care of employees, they will take care of customers.”

© Copyright 2007, American Association of Certified Public Managers®