Submitted

The City of Russell announced this week that four employees are amongst 75 students to graduate from the University of Kansas Certified Public Manager program on Friday at the Statehouse in Topeka.

The Certified Public Manager program is a professional education opportunity for managers working in government agencies, nonprofits and organizations that contract to provide public services and meet community needs. The CPM program is a nationally accredited management program and certification in which participants develop and strengthen their management skills through a competency-based curriculum. Close to 1,500 CPM graduates have earned the nationally recognized emblem of management excellence through the Kansas program.

Duane Banks (Electric Utility Director), Rich Krause (Public Works Director), Shane Preston (Fire Chief), and Steve Wells (Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager) participated in a wide range of activities through a blended learning approach of classroom hours, online learning, and outside assignments to meet 300 hours of structured learning. The CPM curriculum addresses personal and organizational integrity, managing work, leading people, developing self, public service, and leadership during times of change.

“I am very proud of the commitment and dedication of these four members of the City’s management team seeking to further their knowledge of current management practices and innovative approaches to solving problems. Their public service and leadership is very evident by their commitment and dedication to their departments, our community, and the citizens they serve,” said Jon Quinday, City Manager.