TAMIU CPM Program Graduates 14 City of Laredo Employees
Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program graduated 14 City of Laredo employees recently at a ceremony held at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
Dr. Mihha Vindis, CPM program state director, presented the certificates, and Alan Bojoquez, principal attorney with Bojorquez Law Firm, PC, delivered the keynote address.
TAMIU Office of Continuing Education director Susan Foster shared insight about the CPM program.
“TAMIU's CPM Program is a seven-month professional development initiative comprising seven tracks, each with three sessions. Over the past three years 64 participants from the City of Laredo and Webb County have completed the program. With this latest cohort from the City of Laredo, the total number of CPM graduates to date is now 78. The next City of Laredo cohort will begin in October 2025,” Foster said.
Joseph Neeb, City Manager, City of Laredo, said the CPM opportunity is consistent with the City’s commitment to the professional development of its employees, continuous improvement in City departments, and public service with excellence.
“The City of Laredo is committed to fostering a culture of leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement across all departments. By partnering with institutions like TAMIU, the City ensures that employees at every level are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to serve the public with excellence. The Certified Public Manager Program is a vital part of that strategy, preparing our workforce to meet the evolving challenges of local government and better respond to the needs of our growing community.
“We’re proud to support and invest in the professional development of our workforce through initiatives like TAMIU’s Certified Public Manager Program. These 14 graduates represent a cross-section of departments, from public health to public safety, finance, tourism, and more — all critical areas that directly impact the quality of life in our community. Equipping our employees with the skills to lead effectively, think strategically, and manage resources efficiently not only strengthens our internal operations, but also enhances the services we provide to our residents. This partnership with TAMIU is part of our ongoing commitment to building a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation in city government, ” Neeb explained.
TAMIU CPM Program graduates from the City of Laredo are: Sandra Aleman, assistant tax collector, Tax Department; Marcela Cervantes, assistant director, Department of Community Development; Noemi Cienfuegos, internal affairs investigator, Laredo Police Department; Manuel De Luna Jr., operations manager of Administration, Laredo International Airport; Barbara Escamilla, community mental health supervisor, Public Health; Ricardo Galvan, Bridge Supervisor; Roberto González, deputy chief of EMS, Fire/EMS Operation, and San Juana Martínez, Detoxification Department director.
Also, José Ollervides, international relations coordinator, Convention and Visitors Bureau; Joaquin Rodríguez, Legal; Carolina Thurkettle, assistant director of Human Resources; Amanda Kristy Tienda, IST 9-1-1 admin., 9-1-1 program manager for South Texas Region; Joel Vasquez, assistant director, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and San Juanita Zavala, assistant director of Financial Services, Financial Services Department.
The CPM Program aims to enhance leadership strengths and workplace effectiveness among public sector employees while providing agencies with opportunities to cultivate their leadership talent. Participants are required to complete 300 hours of structured learning activities, including a Capstone Project, which demonstrates their ability to apply core competencies in their professional roles.
The curriculum focuses on seven key competencies: Personal and Organizational Integrity, Work Management, Leadership, Self-Development, Systemic Integration, Public Service Focus, and Change Leadership.
For more information about the program, contact the TAMIU Office of Continuing Education at ce@tamiu.edu , call 956.326.3068 or click here.
More on the University’s story is available at tamiu.edu and on the University’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
