2006 Adult Class Graduates Achieve Alumni Status
 2007 Selection Process is Underway

Since its inception over 25 years ago, over 800 individuals have graduated from Leadership Augusta. The year-long program focuses on major aspects of our community, including education, healthcare, criminal justice, arts, history and human relations.

The Class of 2006 held graduation on June 2nd at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion for 32 graduates from “the best class ever”. This year’s class-elected members to the Board of Directors are Tamera Toogood and James Van Meter.

The selection process for the Class of 2007 is underway. Applications total 59. “Meet the Class” of 2007 is scheduled for 5:30pm August 17th at the Museum of History. All alumni are invited to attend.

Volunteers are needed to work on Adult Class Day Committees. Contact Laurie Vanover (05), Chair at (706) 823-6600 or lvanover@augustaga.org .

Class of 2006 Graduates
Matt Aitken, Terra Carroll, Christine Crawford, Cheryl Culpepper, N. Andre David, Sonja Deckelman-Kline Drew DeMott, Anna Getzinger, Phyllis Giddens, Jennifer Hilliard, Hal Hood, Reginald Jones, Christina Kendrick, Sharon Kendrick, Marsha Loda, Mary Ellen McAvoy, Jennifer McKenzie, Stefanie Meyer, Karen Mobley, Beverly Peltier, Kline Petty, Janet Richards-Goose, Amy Rickard, Millie Schumacher Michael Sleeper, Andrea Toney, Tamera Toogood, James Van Meter, Patricia Vanhooser, Shawn Vincent, Jason Whinghter, Abraham Wiley

 Successful Revival of LA Youth Class
 2007 Class Selected

On May 18th, 22 students graduated from the LA Youth Leadership Class and were virtually from all public and private schools in Richmond County.

A graduation celebration was held at D. Timm’s on May 31st and all students spoke at the event--a huge success and great achievement since many students were shy and unsure of themselves at the beginning.

Two students received congressional internships--Mia-Talia Lowe and Lanisha Blount!

Congratulations to Steven Kendrick (03) and his team for reviving this program and doing a great job with the young people this year!

Approximately 33 students have been selected for the 2007 class which begins with orientation in August.

To volunteer for class committees or to sponsor a class, contact Steven Kendrick at (706) 722-6488 or skendrick@augustablue.com.

Youth Leadership Richmond County

Class of 2006
Davidson
Mia-Talia Lowe, Lanisha Blount, Heather Clark
ARC
Remer Brinson, Taisiana Garcia, Veronica Walker
Westminster
Robert Long
Glenn Hills
Dan-Talisha Deans
Laney
La’Keva Dunn, Gabrielle Moffitt, Seth Williams
Hephzibah
Megan Battle, Ana Serrano, Myrisha Sanders
Westside
Alexander Walker, D’Marcus McMillan, Dillon Smith, Jacob Garn
AR Johnson
Alizabeth Kersey, Vincent Mahoney
Cross Creek
Brittney Andrews

 First Executive Forum Held in Four Years
 Varied Blend of New & Veteran CSRA Leaders Attended

On February 25th, 28 executives and many of their spouses graduated. This was the first Executive Forum held in 4 years. Class members were a varied group and represented new CEO’s as well as veteran leaders from all over the CSRA. A graduation social was held jointly with the Class of 2006 on June 2nd at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

 State of the Region Signature Event for LA
 Governor Sonny Perdue Keynote Speaker

One of LA’s signature alumni events was held on March 10th at the Pinnacle Club and was sold out. It was a tremendously successful event at which Governor Sonny Perdue was the keynote speaker. A representative from the 2006 LA Youth Class proudly introduced the Governor.

Press Release 

 Destination 2020 Visioning Initiative a Reality
 Part-Time Coordinator Position Needed


Task Forces and leaders are in place to continue work on its visioning initiative for positive change in our community. D2020 celebrated a recent success with the news of a local grant of $25,000 to start an office of accountability!

A part-time coordinator position will be hired to support the implementation process.

Volunteers are still being recruited for the various task forces charged with bringing the vision for our future to life! Contact Angela Hillesland (99) at info@lexusaugusta.com to join a Task Force or Margaret Taylor (88) to join our speaker’s bureau. Volunteer speakers will be given all the information they need to help generate awareness for the Destination 2020 initiative.
For a list of Task Forces and Committee Chairs, visit the web site at:
http://www.destination2020.com/taskforces/index.sht ml

In addition to the many LA Alumni working on Task Forces, there are 13 Alumni serving on the D2020 Board of Directors:
James Kendrick (06EF)-Chair, Robert Osborne (97EF), Barry White (03), Sue Parr (06EF), Jan Wiggins (97), BJ Blackwood (01), Tim McGill (02EF), Amy Dorrill (02), Angela Hillesland (99), Andy Crosson (02EF), Dr. Sandra Reinke (05), Dr. Shirley Lewis (97EF), Dr. Dan Rahn (02EF)

Serving on the Public Relations Team are: Jerry Shumpert (02), Rhian Swain Giboney (01), Dennis Sodomka (90), Margaret J. Taylor (88)

Would you like to be another LA Alumni to be a part of this pro-active, cooperative effort to enhance the Richmond County, Columbia County and North Augusta area? Contact Angela Hillesland at (706) 650-3203 or info@lexusaugusta.com for details on volunteer and leadership opportunities.

Destination 2020 Coordinator Part-Time Position

This position is one of communication, organization, administration and accountability. By serving as a source of staff support and a resource for information and data collection for the volunteers in the program, the coordinator will ensure continuity and cohesiveness to the ongoing work of Destination 2020. Specific roles within this position include:

1. Serve as a support agent for Task Force leadership, attending Task Force meetings periodically and keeping a pulse on the progress of each group.
2. Serve as a non-voting member of the board.
3. Communicate with Board of Directors on major developments and solicit assistance when necessary.
4. Establish agendas for Board meetings with Chair(s) approval and distribute agenda in advance of meeting. Take and report minutes.
5. Establish agendas for Task Force Leadership meetings with Chair(s) approval and distribute in advance of meeting. Take and report minutes.

To apply for this position, submit your resume to Andy Crosson at the Regional Development Center acrosson@csrardc.org

 Awards Nomination
 New Form


Leadership Augusta's mission is to encourage, develop, and provide community leadership in order to enhance the quality of life and make metro Augusta a premier community. Through the Leadership Augusta Awards, we celebrate Alums who provide a role model of achievement for everyone in communities throughout the CSRA. These Awards recognize outstanding leadership and community service. Two recipients per year are selected. Past recipients can be viewed on the web site at:
http://www.leadershipaugusta.net/awards.htm.

This 4-page Awards Nomination Form can also be found on the web site listed.

Nominations due should coincide with Adult Day Class applications.

 LaPosh Update
 LA Alumni Social Group

LaPosh, LA Alumni Social Group Update
by Jim Benedict

The LaPosh committee, now about fifteen months old, is comprised of about fifty Leadership Augusta graduates that have indicated to Angela Hillesland (99) an interest in serving on a committee that plans social events. For whatever reason, I am the chair.

The first meeting of the committee was held on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at the home of Trey and Susy Allen. By the general agreement of the members present, the official name of this committee has become, LaPosh--Leadership Augusta’s People Out Socializing Happily.

The people attending the first LaPosh committee meeting were:

Trey and Susy Allen (Susy 99) HOSTS, Jim and Michelle Benedict (Jim 01), Kathy Schofe (03), Ann Gough (05), Kay Allen (05), David C. and Mary Ann Penix (Mary Ann 05), Joyce Jones (02), Charlotte R. Price (96), and Doug Engler (80).

We reaffirmed that LaPosh is dedicated to planning new events and is not related to the committee that plans the December Holiday event.

There was some talk of establishing a fundraiser event for Augusta and also talk of not reinventing any wheels. Including this first meeting, the LaPosh committee has so far held four social events and has supported one fundraiser.

Two of the social events we have held are an October Halloween Costume Party held at the Augusta Golf and Gardens hosted by Mary Ann Penix and Rhian Swain-Giboney (01) and, in March a Day at the Races, held at the Road Atlanta Racetrack, hosted by Paul Brewer (04). Currently in the planning stages are:

1) a July picnic at the Augusta Sailing Club hosted by Jeff Annis (98) ,and

2) house party in September to plan the LaPosh events for the ensuing year.

While not an official Leadership Augusta project, the LaPosh Committee was heavily involved with the first CSRA Wine Festival held the first weekend of May. This festival was the product of LaPosh member Pat Goodwin (01) and was raising funds to support the Arts in Augusta.

With the help of Mary Ann Penix, there were over seventy-five volunteers, many of whom were LaPosh committee members. Becoming our fourth social event, the volunteers for the Festival were invited to unwind after the event at a LaPosh house party hosted by Sandra (84) and Steve (81) Hobbs.

The support shown by Angela Hillesland for this committee has been just remarkable. From attending events to giving the chair encouragement to coming up with money for party food, this committee could not possibly have accomplished so much in its first year of existence without her dedicated assistance. Thank you Angela!

In closing, I am confident that LaPosh events will continue to grow in attendance as word catches on about all of the fun we are having! Feel free to contact me if you have an interest in joining our group or if you would like to participate in the upcoming events.

 Alumni News
 


Condolences to Greg Goodwin (02) on the passing of his father.

Congratulations to Joe Neal Jr (01) and his wife on the birth of their baby girl.

 What's New
 

Welcome Gloria Sidoti new administrative support person for Leadership Augusta. Gloria is located at the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and can be contacted at gsidoti@augustagausa.com or (706) 821-1308. Gloria is a native of upstate New York and relocated to Augusta in December, 2005. She brings over 20 years of business experience to this position and holds a BS Degree in Business Administration from R.I.T., Rochester, NY.

“Recommended Leadership Reading”

Attention all alumni – wanted submissions of leadership, motivation or business books that made an impact in your business or professional life. Send your suggestions to Angela Hillesland (99) at: info@lexusaugusta.com