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Montgomery—Pike County Commissioner Cynthia Pearson recently joined an elite group of Alabama county officials by completing 120 hours of professional development training – training on the responsibilities of the county commission – from the Alabama Local Government Training Institute (ALGTI). Commissioner Pearson was recognized for her achievements at the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) 96th Annual Convention held in August.

“The Level II training program that Commissioner Pearson completed involves a set of advanced, issue-oriented courses in which many county commissioners participate to learn how to most efficiently perform their duties as a commissioner,” said Sonny Brasfield, ACCA Executive Director. “When Alabama’s county officials share new ideas and information with one another, they learn how to improve the services offered in their own counties. This sort of communication ultimately helps county leaders contribute to a better quality of life for their constituents.”

Referred to as the Commissioner Graduate Program, the 120-hour program emphasizes training on financial management and planning, public works practices, ethical and legal requirements, personnel administration, economic development and community leadership, and the roles and responsibilities of public service.

The Commissioner Graduate Program is an extension of the 50-hour Commissioner Education Program, created in 1994 by act of the Alabama Legislature as a mandatory program for first-time county commissioners. Classes are supervised by the ALGTI board of directors, which is composed of county officials involved in ACCA, educators and members of the Alabama Legislature.

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization speaking for all 67 counties with ONE voice. It promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice, and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies.