City of Collins is proud to announce that Alderman Lester Magee has been inducted into the Mississippi Municipal League’s (MML) CMO 500 Club, recognizing an outstanding commitment to professional development and municipal education.
Magee was among the inaugural class of CMO 500 Club inductees recognized during the Mississippi Municipal League’s 2026 Annual Conference in Biloxi. The CMO 500 Club honors municipal officials who have surpassed all three levels of accreditation within MML’s Certified Municipal Official (CMO) program and have earned more than 500 hours of CMO education credits.
“Magee’s commitment to continuing education is truly something to be celebrated,” said Shari Veazey, Executive Director of the Mississippi Municipal League. “These officials have gone above and beyond in their pursuit of knowledge and professional development. Their dedication to learning more about municipal government ultimately strengthens the communities they serve and demonstrates an exceptional commitment to their citizens.”
The MML’s CMO program offers three levels of certification. The Basic level requires 60 hours of training focused on the fundamentals of municipal organization, law, finance and land use. The Advanced level requires an additional 40 hours of training in community and economic development. The Professional Development level requires another 40 hours of coursework designed to strengthen skills such as public speaking, writing and interpersonal communications.
By earning more than 500 hours of CMO education, Magee has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to continued learning and to becoming a more knowledgeable and effective municipal leader.
The mission of the Mississippi Municipal League is helping cities and towns excel. Established in 1931, MML is a non-partisan association representing 290 city, town and village governments across Mississippi. MML is also affiliated with the National League of Cities, which serves as a lobbying, legislative and legal advocate for municipalities before the U.S. Congress. The Mississippi Municipal League is a non-partisan association established in 1931 to serve and strengthen Mississippi’s cities and towns. MML provides education, training, advocacy and resources to municipal officials throughout the state, helping local governments better serve their communities and citizens.