VALDOSTA – Valdosta City Manager Mark Barber received the certificate of recognition from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute recently during the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual convention.

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, according to a statement from city officials. 

To receive a certificate of recognition, a city official must complete a minimum of 42 units of credit, including at least 18 hours from a list of required classes. The training program consists of more than 70 courses.

“This is an outstanding achievement,” said Larry Hanson, GMA executive director. “We commend City Manager Barber for this accomplishment and for the dedication shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official.”

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 537 member cities.