Kramer received his Certified Public Manager® credential in 1993 after completing all CPM training offered through the Arizona Department of Administration and Arizona State University’s School of Public Programs in the College of Public Affairs. Kramer has served as President of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Managers® (ASCPM) five (5) times, and also served as AACPM President-Elect in 2010, President in 2011 and Immediate Past President in 2012.

Prior to his service as AACPM President, he served as AACPM Member at Large for Conferences and Communications from 2000 through 2002, the first person to hold the then newly created board position. In addition Kramer served as an Arizona Delegate to AACPM’s governing body, the House of Delegates, nine times, from 1996 - 2000, 2003 - 2005, and 2008 - 2009, in addition to his service to the House of Delegates as an AACPM Board of Directors member, a total of 14 years of service.

"Jeff was the unanimous choice of the selection committee," said Debbie J. Smith, CPM of Oklahoma, 2011 AACPM Henning Award recipient and Chairperson of the 2012 Henning Award Committee. "His career accomplishments, community activities, and efforts for both the Arizona CPM Society and the American Academy, set a standard that his peers should strive to achieve. While serving several Academy & Society roles simultaneously; he has contributed 49 years of service to AACPM and 54 years of service to the Arizona Society, plus speaking at 15 graduation ceremonies. Jeff certainly holds CPM near and dear to his heart. He truly represents the very best in Certified Public Managers®. He always gives more than 120 percent and never allows a fellow CPM to fail."

Kramer’s Society credits him with much of their public and financial success. "He is a strong leader in our society who leads by example and motivates others to reach higher in their quests to improve the society and state government. Jeff is always ready to assist in any way, and while his list of job duties is impressive, it doesn't truly reflect his commitment to the job, the Arizona Society, or the AACPM. This is the true mark of a leader. It is not just the accomplishments, but character that makes Jeff stand out.

Among Kramer’s career and CPM highlights are:

• Recently named Operations Division Manager for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, directs roadway system maintenance activities, departmental fleet and physical asset management, and the adopt-a-highway program in one of the largest counties in the US (an area of over 9,300 square miles) with a $35 million annual budget and a staff of over 200.
• Served 5 plus years as Director of Municipal Services for ARCADIS-US, directed capital projects as owner’s representative for public agencies across Arizona, overseeing a program of more than $1 million in contracts for over $200 million in project budgets.
• Served 6 plus years at the City of Mesa, held increasing responsibilities of Deputy City Engineer - Design for the Engineering Department, and Director of the Transportation Department. Directed staffs ranging from 30 to 160 people, operating budgets from $28 million to $35 million annually, and capital budgets from $50 million to over $100 million annually.
• Served 7 plus years at the Arizona Department of Transportation as a Team Leader/Project Manager for State DOT, managing internal and consultant design teams on over 50 highway design and study projects.
• Was named a Public Works Leadership Fellow in the American Public Works Association’s Donald C. Stone Center, a national mentoring program to mentor younger public works professionals. Jeff is one of fewer than 200 people so recognized nationwide, and one of only five people in Arizona to be so honored.
• Received an accolade from the Mayor of Mesa for developing a 20-year comprehensive transportation financial plan, accounting for capital and operational costs, debt service, revenue projections, regional reimbursements, and staffing and equipment needs.
• Managed delivery of a water treatment plant jointly owned by two municipalities, delivering project one month early and $8 million under budget. Project received six awards, including a Crown Communities award from American City and County magazine, and the Construction Management Association of America’s 2010 Project of the Year award.
• Championed leadership and training programs, including participation on committee that recommended leadership training for 614 person department. Oversaw development and or delivery of training including: project management and technical training in six engineering disciplines plus supporting functions (arranged content, presenters and format for 16 month program with 90 minute sessions every two weeks), and leadership training using programs from established leadership experts for his management team.
• Co-developed first generation project management system implemented at Arizona DOT, including inter-departmental coordination, scheduling and progress reporting methodology, leading to increased efficiency, shortened project development times, and improved project quality. Managed the first project developed under the new system, delivering it 5 months early and 13% under budget.
• Academy board and committee service have included 5½ years on the Board of Directors, 9 years as an Arizona Society Delegate to the House of Delegates, 9½ years of Committee Chair service, and 22 additional committee membership service years other than serving as chair.
• Championed Academy social media and communications efforts, establishing Facebook, Twitter and You Tube accounts and securing a two year donated subscription to Constant Contact for email and conference registration and promotion usage.
• Obtained donated service to digitally enhance graphics for the Academy logo, the logos for every member Society, and the National CPM Consortium logo, making the logos usable for all forms and sizes of print, web and presentation graphics.
• Society board and committee service have included 15 years on the Board of Directors, 17 years of Committee Chair service, and 13 years of non-chairing Committee membership service.
• Certified Public Manager® Education Foundation service includes two years on board of directors, and obtaining donated services including Foundation logo design, and the design and printing of the Foundation brochure and banner.
• In his community, Jeff contributes his time and resources to multiple causes, including but not limited to Arizona Community Church, Christmas Angel Tree Program, Boy Scouts of America, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, High School athletic booster organizations, and various other arts, education and charitable causes.

Kramer was one of seven (7) nominees for the 2012 AACPM Henning Award. Other CPM nominees included Charlene Shabazz of North Carolina, Joyce Doakes Smith of Oklahoma, Susan G. Smith of Kentucky, Jackson Gumb of Kansas, William Herman of New Hampshire, and Fred Levinson of Florida.

The Henning Award is named after Kenneth K. Henning of Athens, Ga., whose vision of a quality management development program tailored to the needs of state and local government, resulted in the design and implementation of the Certified Public Manager® concept. His hard work and dedication in the mid-1970s in Georgia was responsible for the establishment of the Georgia Certified Public Manager® Program, the American Academy of Certified Public Managers®, and the movement of the Certified Public Manager® concept to other states. The Henning Award was first awarded by the AACPM in 1990. Kramer is the 23rd recipient of the annual recognition, and will serve as Chair of the Henning Award Committee in 2013, when the 24th annual award will be presented in Boise, Idaho.