ATLANTA – Rincon Mayor Ken Lee received the prestigious Certificate of Dedication award from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Convention in Savannah on Monday.

 The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. The Certificate of Dedication requires 276 hours of training, including at least 108 hours from a required list of classes, 18 hours of which must be from an Advanced Leadership track, and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. 

After obtaining the Certificate of Dedication, officials must complete nine hours of continuing education each year to maintain the certificate. The training program consists of more than 70 courses. 

Lee was one of seven city officials to receive the Certificate of Dedication at the conference.

 “This outstanding achievement truly speaks to the dedication shown by these recipients,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We commend Mayor Lee for this accomplishment and for the commitment he’s shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official. Mayor Lee serves as an example to other city officials across the state.” 

“The dedication shown by these public servants from across the state to enhance their skills and knowledge of municipal governance is remarkable,” said Rob Gordon, director of the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government. “Their commitment to education means they are bringing back tools, insights, knowledge, resources and networks to strengthen their cities. The Institute of Government is proud to partner with GMA to make this expanded training opportunity available to Georgia’s city leaders.” 

About the Georgia Municipal Association: Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to all of Georgia’s 538 cities. GMA anticipates and influences the forces shaping Georgia’s cities and to provide leadership, tools and services that assist municipal governments in becoming more innovative, effective and responsive. Created in 1933, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) is the only state organization that represents municipal governments in Georgia. For more information, visit www.gacities.com.