CONTACT: Dan Vicker, (850) 597-1084; <drv8897@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>

Aug. 19, 2008

FLORIDA CPM PROGRAM ADDS 352 NEW GRADS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- On Thursday, Aug. 28, 352 managers from across the state will graduate from the Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. This is the largest graduation class to date in the 30-year history of the program. The graduation ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida.

The CPM program is a nationally recognized leadership training program, currently delivered in more than 30 states. Florida has one of the largest and most successful programs in the country, which is administered by the Florida Center for Public Management of the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University.

The 352 graduates represent local government, state agencies, and non-profit organizations stretching from the Panhandle to Miami. They have undergone a rigorous program consisting of 32 days of training, seven exams and six assignments. They will join the ranks of more than 3,000 other CPM graduates in Florida. More than 20 state agencies, 60 city and county governments and 15 constitutional offices have participated in the CPM program.

The Florida Cabinet recognized the CPM program as a “preferred management development” program for Florida government.

Thursday’s graduation ceremony will be the culmination of a three-day leadership conference, which begins on Tuesday, Aug. 26. There will be dozens of presenters, including Clare Crawford-Mason, the producer of the film “If Japan Can, Why Can’t We,” which has been described as the “second most influential documentary in the history of film and television.” She will present several workshops at this year’s conference.

In addition to the graduates, more than 400 family members, colleagues and friends are expected to attend the graduation ceremony.

For more information about the CPM program, visit <www.fcpm.fsu.edu>.

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