FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 29, 2008
CONTACT: Molly Baldwin, mollybaldwin@assnhqtrs.com

Washington State's Jeffrey Lettau Earns CGM Status

(Baltimore, MD) - The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has announced that Jeffrey Lettau of Richland, Wash. has become the 114th grounds management professional to successfully complete its Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) program. Lettau currently serves as the Grounds, Relocation, & Receiving Work Team Lead for the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL)
where he has been for the past eighteen years. PGMS recently spent a few minutes getting to know Jeffrey.

PGMS: How long have you been a PGMS member?
Lettau: Since 2002

PGMS: What is your current position at work? How long have you been in that position?
Lettau: My official title is "Grounds, Relocation, and Receiving Work Team Lead". This is accurate but somewhat cumbersome. I refer to myself as a "Grounds Manager". I have been involved with our Grounds since about 1998, and became the Grounds Manager in 2000. I have been with PNNL since 1990.

PGMS: Why did you want to become a CGM?
Lettau: After being assigned as Grounds Manager, it became clear to me that I had found a job I truly enjoyed. Some level of professional certification in this position seemed to be a good way to recognize the level of expertise required in today's workplace. After looking at several programs, it was clear that the certification through PGMS reflected best the kind of work myself and my crew perform. I also recognize that without certification, my experience is not verifiable. This can be an important distinction in a workplace filled with degree professionals. Part of my decision to pursue certification through PGMS is that PGMS offers a certification program for my crew once I became certified. I am very excited to begin the process of getting my crew certified as Grounds Technicians. I believe this step will recognize their professionalism and commitment to excellence.

PGMS: What did you think of the program?
Lettau: I found the program to be more difficult than expected. It really drove me to get out into the field and fact check. It also reminded me that there is a great deal of knowledge each of us gathers during our work life which we simply take for granted. Writing all of this information down during the certification process highlighted just how much I had learned during my time as a Grounds Manager.

PGMS: What advice do you have for aspiring CGMs?
Lettau: Set aside a couple of hours each week to get through the certification process and make it a priority. It will take the better part of the allotted year to complete the certification write-up, so take small bites each week to get it done. Leave about a month at the end to read and re-read your certification to make certain it is clear, readable, and accurate. Have several others read it as well. Carry a camera with you always, you never know when a photo opportunity will present itself. Take pictures of everything work-wise. Take 'before' and 'after' pictures, these will come in handy later.

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