For the first time since 2010, Marion County is celebrating the graduation of 15 participants of Leadership Marion County.
“It was exciting to see such a diverse and talented group graduate Thursday night,” Lori Watts of the Marion County Development Partnership said. “Then the next morning to see more than 85 people attend Catchy Friday, it’s exciting to see the business community’s support and engagement in the MCDP and its economic development efforts.”
The 15 participants went through a lengthy course of study, according to Watts.
“They completed eight monthly sessions during which they identified significant and crucial issues facing Marion County’s businesses, government and citizens and applied how they relate to the accepted building blocks of community development,” she said.
The group participated in day-long sessions that included personality trait and leadership style training, business and economic development, civic infrastructure, workforce development, physical and social infrastructure and heritage and cultural stewardship.
Leadership Marion County is nothing new for the MCDP; however, it has been several years since the last class.
“Although we have not had a class since 2010, our community has a long history of having leadership classes, so you are not the first to go through this, but you are starting a new era and a new effort to launch to a higher plain,” Watts explained.
According to Watts, the purpose of Leadership Marion County is to make better leaders, a better community and better lives for its citizens. That mission is one of the main reasons why Watts was determined to revive the program.
“We want to increase the opportunities for strong leaders in the community to give back to the community,” Watts said. “We want to give them a nucleus to work with. We want people to come on board and learn about the community for the economic development angle. It not only includes business expansion, but also community, social and physical infrastructure aspects. We want to present the information to potential leaders. We’re looking to match leadership skills with what’s needed in the community.”
At the completion of the course of study the class must choose a development project to complete as a group. The Class of 2017 has chosen to place new welcome signs at the main entrances to the City of Columbia.
To be eligible for Leadership Marion County in the future, applicants must be 21 years old and be a resident of, or employed in Marion County. Tuition for the program is $350, which includes the training sessions and retreat and instructional materials.
Joy Saucier, community development specialist from Mississippi Power, facilitated several of the sessions. Steering Committee members are Rene Dungan, Jan Sears, John Hales and Kristian Agoglia.
Some of the speakers for the program included Raj Shaunak, workforce development specialist at East Mississippi Community College: Mickey Milligan, deputy director of economic development, Mississippi Development Authority; Malcolm White, director Mississippi Arts Commission; Mary Margaret Miller White, director Visit Mississippi; among others. The group attended a Marion County Board of Supervisors meeting and a Columbia Board of Aldermen meeting, as well as touring the Carl Loftin Career and Technology Center, and local manufacturers St. James Lighting and Helanbak.
Leadership Marion County Class of 2017 Participants include: Sabrina Pope, State Bank & Trust; Alene Varnado, Citizens Bank; Percynthia Newsome, Marion County Schools; Andrea Porter, Media 3; Sharon James, Care At Residence Services (CARS); Lisa White, Columbia School District; Chris Smith, Citizens Bank; Brock White, Dungan Engineering; Ryan Stringer, Marion County Schools; Monica Watts, NASA; Dalton Miller, Looks Great Services; Peggy Gates, Pioneer Aerospace; Erik LaVine, Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association; Candis Mingo, Crown Health Care Laundry and Justin McKenzie, City of Columbia.
Pictured Above: Leadership Marion County Class of 2017 participants include, front row from left: Sabrina Pope, State Bank & Trust; Alene Varnado, Citizens Bank; Percynthia Newsome, Marion County Schools; Andrea Porter, Media 3; Sharon James, Care At Residence Services (CARS); Lisa White, Columbia School District. Back row from left: Chris Smith, Citizens Bank; Brock White, Dungan Engineering; Ryan Stringer, Marion County Schools; Monica Watts, NASA; Dalton Miller, Looks Great Services; Peggy Gates, Pioneer Aerospace; Erik LaVine, Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association; Candis Mingo, Crown Health Care Laundry; Justin McKenzie, City of Columbia. | Submitted Photo
