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Martin Chaney becomes first ITD employee
to complete state Certified Public Manager program

A graduation ceremony in December formally concluded nearly four years of specialized training for Martin Chaney, making him the first – and thus far – only ITD employee to become a Certified Public Manager.

Chaney was taking optional classes in management from Boise State University when he learned that Idaho ITD would begin offering the CPM program for state employees. It was the announcement he had been waiting for.

The day after learning that ITD would participate in the nationally recognized program, Chaney began the application process through ITD’s Human Resource Services office. His application gained approval from the Division of Administration administrator and he entered the program in 2004.

The Idaho CPM program is part of a nationally accredited training and development program for public sector managers and supervisors.

It is a comprehensive course of study through which managers can acquire and apply the best practices and theory to their management behaviors and strategies, according to the state’s CPM Web site: (See related story.)

“I was already in a position of being a supervisor, and I wanted to become a better supervisor,” Chaney said. “I also wanted to be considered for a middle management position. That’s where my sights have been.”

Chaney is a Systems Integration Specialist for ITD’s Enterprise Technology Services (formerly Corporate Information Technology). He provides technical support for Administrative Services.

As part of a CPM culminating project, Chaney developed a process flow chart and communications process for information technology. He and his IT colleagues worked on the project nearly seven months, and it now has become part of the project planning process.

The final project was a major requirement for graduation from the CPM program. Chaney also was required to pass a rigorous four-hour open-book exam, answer three in-depth essay questions and give an oral presentation of his final project. All but two of the 25 state employees who went through as a cadre with Chaney graduated in December. The ceremony was at the Idaho State Tax Commission/Washington Group International building in Boise.

He was the second ITD employee to enroll in the CPM program and the first to graduate. Debbie Woolery also entered about the same time but transferred to the Department of Health and Welfare before earning her certificate.

“My managers were very supportive and enthusiastic about the additional training,” Chaney said. Recognizing the benefits of providing formal supervisory leadership/management training, the department paid all of the costs – about $425 for each of the five levels.

Generally, one or two daylong CPM courses were offered each month – except in July and August. Professionals from outside of state government provided instruction. The program requires 250 hours of instruction and 50 hours devoted to special projects.

Chaney said class sessions include a lot of collaboration, role-playing, simulations and group discussions.

Recent reorganization within Enterprise Technology Services may provide him opportunity for professional advancement and a chance to put his training into practice.

Chaney encourages any ITD employees with supervisory and management duties to consider the Certified Public Manager program. It is an excellent way to acquire additional training in leadership, operations management and staff management.