City of Talladega leaders honored at first-ever Employee Development Graduation Ceremony
December 23, 2024
(Talladega, AL) Nineteen employees were recently honored at the City of Talladega’s first-ever Employee Development Graduation Ceremony.
City Manager Derrick Swanson, who initiated the employee development program for Talladega leaders, provided an overview of the program.
"Employee development is among my chief priorities," said Swanson. "Consistently training and educating employees has been proven to promote job satisfaction, increase productivity and expand opportunities for advancement. The more knowledgeable and well-trained our leaders are, the better equipped they will be to help Talladega become one of Alabama's most vibrant cities."
Prayer was led by Pastor Duane Player, and Mayor Ashton Hall followed with a greeting. The keynote speaker was Mountain Brook, Alabama, City Manager Sam S. Gaston, who was introduced by Ciara Smith.
The graduates included Summer Ammons, Holley Smith-Chatman, Tanna Falkner, Cathy Fuller, Andrea Garrett, Vickie Harkins, Jeanette Jueckstock, Timothy Kendrick, Scott King, Ronald McElrath, Joanna Medlen, Shaneeka Phillips, Derrick Pointer, Ciara Smith, Mary Sood, Derrick Swanson, Byron Tucker, John Tyson and Danny Warwick.
"I commend the graduates who successfully completed this program, which included 8 months of extensive leadership training," Swanson said. "As a direct result of their commitment to professional growth, they now have a much better understanding of an array of important topics, including budgets, employee assessments, policies and procedures."