The City of Las Cruces has received recognition from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), earning three Government Programming Awards (GPAs) of Excellence and three Awards of Distinction. The awards were given for programming produced between April 12, 2024, and April 13, 2025.
The NATOA Government Programming Awards honor excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia, and electronic programming created by local governments across the country. The awards are considered competitive and highlight efforts in creativity, education, and community engagement.
Las Cruces received Awards of Excellence for the following productions:
– “What’s My Line Made Of” – Lead & Copper Education in the Instruction/Training category. The program was recognized for educating the public on a complex issue in a clear way.
– “I Can’t Do Every Job” in the Event/Program Promotion category. This entry was praised for showcasing City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau’s leadership style and sense of humor.
– “The Zipper Method” in the Visual Effects category. The production was acknowledged for its use of visual media to explain roadway safety.
Awards of Distinction were also presented to Las Cruces for:
– “Las Cruces Summer Reading Program” in Library Programming
– “Small Business Storefront Repair Program” in Community Awareness
– “I Can’t Do Every Job” in Use of Humor
“These awards demonstrate the innovative spirit and commitment of our team to communicate effectively with our community,” said Mandy Leatherwood, Director of Communications for the City of Las Cruces. “Whether we are explaining a complex issue like water safety, promoting traffic safety on our roads, or trying new and engaging ways to recruit, our goal is to connect with residents in ways that are both meaningful and accessible.”
Departments including Utilities, Public Works, Economic Development, Quality of Life, Human Resources, and the City Manager’s Office contributed content and talent to these submissions.
Nathaniel Bitting, Media Production Specialist, and Adrian Guzman, Technical Operations Manager from the Communications Office attended the GPA Ceremony held on August 21, 2025, in New Orleans to accept the awards.
