Leadership Shelby County

What is Leadership Shelby County?

Leadership Shelby County is a year long program designed to identify potential leaders and develop within these individuals the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to enable them to actively participate in the enhancement of the quality of life in their communities.

Who can participate in Leadership?

All persons from throughout Shelby County who are interested in community trusteeship are encouraged to apply. Each year the program brings together a diverse group of about 15 men and women, selected from applicants who have been carefully chosen for their degree of involvement in the community and level of commitment to the goals of Leadership Shelby County.

What are the goals for the participants of Leadership?

Leadership encourages class members to become motivated and committed community leaders. It helps them explore and develop action plans for addressing local needs and issues. It provides a forum for persons to meet and exchange thoughts and ideas with current and prospective leaders of the community, and it develops and nurtures a special bond among class members which aids them in effectively promoting work on community projects.

What is the format of the program?

Each month, with a "hands on" approach, the class studies specific topics including: education, local and state government, health and human services, economic development, quality of life, and heritage. By exposing the Leadership Class to timely issues, and by meeting with speakers who are experts in their fields, a well-rounded growth experience occurs.

What happens after graduation?

Upon graduation, class members are expected to continue their Leadership experience by planning the curriculum for the next class. They can also take their skills into the community where they will use them in both their professional and personal lives. Leadership graduates may wish to take part in various Alumni Committee activities such as recruiting or serving as resources for speakers or sponsorships.

Leadership Shelby County Class
GRADUATES

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Shelby County Class of 2008 was recently honored with graduation ceremonies. Leadership Shelby County chairman Phil Bullock, Leadership class of 2004, welcomed the graduating class, employees, family members, co-workers and Leadership alumni.

Chamber President David Koonce, Leadership class of 2005, congratulated the class during opening remarks. Derek Pierce, Leadership class of 2006 gave the invocation. A video of class events from the past year along with interviews from graduating class members was produced and shown by Buster Bounds, LTP Productions. 2008 Leadership Class President Bethany Stephens spoke to the group about different memorable events that transpired throughout the year, and what participating in the class meant to her.

Robin Bradberry, Leadership class of 2004 introduced keynote speaker Lt. Colonel John Bunn USMC (Ret). Jon Bunn served in the United States Marine Corps as an Infantry Sergeant from 1975 to 1978. After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1981, he was commissioned into the Army as an Artillery Officer. He retired in 1998 as a Lieutenant Colonel serving with the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command.

Jon participated in military operations for over 20 years with missions in the United States, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, Abkhazia, Turkey, and Africa. He is currently the Business Services Manager for Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas. Lt. Colonel Bunn spoke to the class about leadership and what it means to be a leader.

Class members received their Leadership Shelby County class diplomas. Class members are; Ortega Cartwright — Hallmark Center Fixtures, Jeff Crooms — Center ISD, Andi Foster — The Vieux Carre’ Photography, Ernesto Guillen — Port-A-Cool, Gayle Harvey — Shelby Savings Bank, Lourie Ihlo — LPL Financial, Maureen Kennon — Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, John Krueger — The Light & Champion, Bethany Stephens — Shelby County District Attorney Office, Ryan Pinkston — Farm Bureau Insurance, Amanda Treat — Best Western Center Inn, Noel Wilkins — Grace Manor, Don Walker — Farmers State Bank, and Austin Wright — Wright Chrysler Dodge Jeep.