Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Audra Winters IOM, President/CEO, of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at five different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

New Mexico's trophy trout fishery, the San Juan River below Navajo Dam will be getting an upgrade for Christmas, including two new boat ramps and many in-stream habitat improvements.

"This is a win-win project designed to benefit anglers, guides, outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife," says Marc Wethington, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologist stationed on the river.

Work is scheduled to commence this month on about a mile of river between Simon Canyon and the Gravel Pit boat takeout. The area will be closed to the public during construction, and boaters can use a temporary boat ramp on the river's back channel at Muñoz to takeout. Construction could take up to three months.

The estimated $1 million project caps efforts to improve this stretch of the river, which was devastated by flooding in late 2014.

Karl Moffatt is a veteran New Mexico journalist, photographer and outdoors enthusiast. See more of his stories and contact him through his blog at www. outdoorsnm. com.