County Commission | The Magazine August 2018 | Page 44

strongest in the country because
the commissioners of Alabama
understand how important it is for
their team – the staff – to participate
in the Association’s affiliate
organizations, both at the state and
national level, in order to continue
their professional development
through education. I would
encourage all county commissioners
and their staff, from all departments,
to be involved with this association
and attend ACCA events such as
the Annual Convention, where they
will undoubtedly build relationships
and collect an unlimited amount of
knowledge that can be brought back
to their county.
Q
A
What does “67 Counties,
One Voice” mean to you?
To me, it symbolizes that
there is strength in family.
“67 Counties, One Voice” is some
of my closest friends – my county
family – representing each of our
communities at the local, state and
national level with unity. n
What does CEA
stand for?
Q
The “CEA” designation is listed
at the end of your name, which
means you’ve received a Certificate in
Engineering Administration from the
County Government Education Institute.
What does this mean?
A
I graduated from Auburn University in
December of 2001 with a bachelor’s in civil
engineering. I was fortunate to have worked in Chambers County as a
student and stay on as an engineering assistant following graduation.
Immediately after graduation, it was clear to me that while I was
proud of my degree from Auburn and valued the education that I
received, there was much to learn about county engineering and
county government in general. Most of what I know about county
engineering can be
New graduates from the County
attributed to the numerous
Government Education Institute will be
mentors I’ve had throughout
recognized during the Awards Ceremony at
my career and the education
I’ve obtained through the ACCA. the ACCA 90th Convention & Celebration.
The Certificate in
More info: www.alabamacounties.org/
Engineering Administration
education/county-employees/
is the ACCA’s educational
program geared
specifically to the positions of county engineer or assistant county
engineer. I think everyone recognizes that it’s an invaluable program
that isn’t available through any other association or institution. But,
most importantly to me, it represents countless hours that fellow
county engineers volunteered
to participate in training young,
aspiring county engineers, such
as myself, across this state. To
me, there is no better training
available than that which is
provided by our peers in county
government.
As the county engineering
field and county government
continue to evolve, it is important
to me to keep this designation
through continued education.
It is also very important to me
to volunteer my experiences
and participate as a speaker so
that I may help another young
engineer, just as my mentors
helped me.
44 | COUNTY COMMISSION