LaGrange City Councilman Nathan Gaskin received the prestigious Certificate of Dedication from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) 2025 Cities United Summit in Atlanta January 26th.
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.
“This is a remarkable achievement,” said GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson. “The investment that Councilman Gaskin has taken through his commitment to professional development, Councilman Gaskin’s achievements not only benefit the City of LaGrange but also strengthens their effectiveness as a city official.”
To receive a Certificate of Dedication, a minimum of 276 hours of training must be completed, including at least 108 hours from the required list, 18 hours of which must be from the Advanced Leadership track, the Newly Elected Officials Institute and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. The program consists of more than 80 courses. After obtaining the Certificate of Dedication, officials must complete nine hours of continuing education each year to maintain the certificate.
Gaskin was one of only seven city officials to receive the Certificate of Dedication, the highest certificate level.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and sacrifice to make it this far,” said Gaskin. “I thank God and my family for the love and support. I thank the citizens for electing me and believing in me. I also want to thank GMA and the City of LaGrange for allowing me to grow. I think this Bible verse sums it up – Ecclesiastes 9:10.”
“We are proud of our partnership with GMA to provide exceptional, practical and relevant instruction to Georgia’s more than 3,000 municipal officials,” said UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government Director Rob Gordon. “The institute remains committed to being the trusted resource that city officials across Georgia turn to for the highest quality leadership and professional development training that makes a difference in the lives of the people they represent.”
