New Class of Missouri Certified Local Government Officials and Advanced Certified Municipal Officials Honored at MML Annual Conference
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Forty-five Missouri municipal officials have completed training through the MML Municipal Governance Institute (MGI), and 11 officials have completed the Advanced Municipal Governance Institute (AMGI) program in 2023. These individuals were honored during the Awards Luncheon at the MML Annual Conference earlier this month in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Municipal Governance Institute was created under the direction of the Missouri Municipal League’s board of directors, to provide a training program focused on the important areas municipal officials and professional staff need to best serve their communities. As the program evolved, the advanced program was begun to further instruct local officials on the challenges they face in local government.
“All MGI and AMGI participants spend many hours over several years attending workshops and lectures on the finer points of municipal government,” said MML Executive Director Richard Sheets. “Earning the CMO designation is a significant achievement, and I commend all participants for their dedication to become better informed and more effective municipal officials.”
To qualify for the Certified Municipal Officials designation, participants must complete 16 credit hours in subjects ranging from the Missouri Open Meeting Law to budgets to planning and zoning. The advanced certification program requires an additional 14 core hours and three capstone projects in community service, advocacy, and leadership.
Recipients of the MGI certification are:
Cozy Bailey, Mayor, St. Clair
Bryan Barner, Alderman, Odessa
Allan Behr, Council Member, Washington
Tim Boeddeker, Alderman, Charlack
Michele Brown, City Clerk, Waynesville
Jason Eaklor, City Clerk, Berger
Stacey Easter, Mayor, Park Hills
Lauren Edens, Council Member, Wildwood
Kelly Farkas, Alderman, Desloge
Eric Franklin, Council Member, Republic
Andrew Frazier, City Administrator, Glasgow
Harrison Fry, City Administrator, Lake Ozark
Gregory Hurd, Fire Chief, Aurora
Cyndi Jennings, City Clerk, Oronogo
Megan Johnson, Council Member, Rolla
Maurice Jones, Deputy City Manager, Springfield
Kristy Keithley, City Clerk, Clever
Amanda Koren, Council Member, Waynesville
Lori Lemons, City Clerk, East Prairie
Jeff Lofton, Police Chief, Clever
Melissa Mattson, Deputy City Clerk, Albany
Abbie Ogborn, City Clerk, Wright City
Pete Pasternak, Mayor, Desloge
Lorri Powell, City Clerk, Rolla
Trevor Pulley, City Administrator, Cape Girardeau
Alicia Robertson, Prosecuting Attorney, Clever
Matthew Rusch, Director of Public Works and Utilities, Centralia
Debbie Ryan, formerly with O’Fallon
Nicole Sanders, Alderman, Moline Acres
Allison Skinner, City Clerk, West Plains
Robert Smith, Council Member, Hazelwood
Bwayne Smotherson, Council Member, University City
Gail Sneeden-Kindhart, Council Member, LaGrange
Rachel St. Pierre, formerly with Park Hills
Kari Standley, City Clerk/Collector, Bloomfield
Eric Stevens, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Cameron
Melissa Stradt, Deputy City Clerk/Utility Clerk, St. James
Tara Strain, City Administrator, Centralia
James Thomas, Alderman, Bellefontaine Neighbors
Kathleen Trentmann, City Administrator, New Haven
Phil Walsack, Associate, Burns & McDonnell
Mike West, City Administrator, Butler
Theresa West, Executive Secretary, Harrisonville
Sean Wilson, Mayor, Waynesville
Jen Worth, Administrative Assistant, Waynesville
Recipients of the AMGI certification are:
Jeff Arp, Loss Control Specialist, MIRMA
Sonja Abdelgawad, Council Member, Raymore
Bryan Barner, Alderman , Odessa
Andrew Frazier, City Administrator, Glasgow
Celeste McGee, Alderman, Vinita Park
Kim Nakahodo, Deputy City Administrator, North Kansas City
Walter Reese, Alderman, St. Robert
Alicia Robertson, Prosecuting Attorney, Clever
Amanda Sikes, Alderman, St. Clair
Matt Turner, Alderman, Harrisonville
Sean Wilson, Mayor, Waynesville
If you would like to learn more about MGI and how to become a Certified Municipal Official, or learn more about the Advanced program, visit www.mocities.com/certifications.