Richmond Recollections and Reflections
Virginia CPM Program Graduation 2006

By Ron Buchholz, CPM
rbuchholz@commerce.state.wi.us

On Saturday, April 29, 2006, the Virginia Certified Public Manager® located in the Virginia Commonwealth Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) graduated its second class. Eleven individuals were recognized for their successful completion of the CPM Program and received their CPM Certifications.

The Graduation Ceremony was held Saturday evening in the Downtown Club of Richmond, located on the 20th Floor of the prestigious Riverfront Plaza Building. The Riverfront Plaza Building is located in the heart of downtown historic Richmond right on the Canal Walk along the James River and near the famous restored Tredegar Iron Works, now the location of the Richmond Civil War Visitors Center. The Tredegar Iron Works manufactured much of the cannon, weaponry, ammunition and blankets for the Confederacy. The Downtown Club location offered a truly memorable setting for the Graduation and picturesque views of the Richmond skyline.

Shortly after the Professional Development Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire last September, I was honored to be asked by the Virginia CPM Program and Society to represent the American Academy and be their Keynote Speaker for this Second Graduation ceremony.

Sara Redding Wilson, Director of the DHRM, Robert Vilcheck, Virginia CPM Program Director and Samantha “Sam” Anderson, Virginia CPM Program Administrator and Susan Luck, Virginia State Training Manager, welcomed the Graduating Class.
Sam Camden, CPM, past President of the Virginia CPM Society was recognized as the “Distinguished Graduate” and spoke to the graduates. I was honored to have Christy Porterfield, CPM, and President of the Virginia CPM Society, introduce me as the Keynote Speaker.

Members of their families joined the eleven graduates and most had representatives from their employers in attendance as well to participate in the Graduation and to share in the celebration of their achievement.

The Virginia CPM Program inaugurated the “Wilson Award” at this graduation to recognize the Outstanding Graduate of the class. The “Wilson Award” was named in honor of DHRM Director Sara Redding Wilson, who founded the CPM Program in Virginia. Ms. Wilson presented her namesake Award to Stephen D. Crump, CPM, from the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

In addition to a beautifully framed and matted CPM Certificate, signed by the Governor, each graduate was presented with a Virginia CPM Program lapel pin and a Program Tote Bag.

Many of the graduates expressed interest in joining the Virginia CPM Program and the American Academy of Certified Public Managers® and in attending the upcoming 18th Annual AACPM Professional Development Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

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