Jones County Chamber of Commerce Announces 2013 Leadership Jones County Class | Business

The following is a press release from the Jones County Chamber of Commerce:

The 2013 class of Leadership Jones County was introduced Thursday night at a reception at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. The event got its kick off with an orientation session for participants only. Facilitators for the orientation were EDA Chairman and previous LJC Board Member, Linda Gavin of South Central Regional Medical Center and George Bassi, LJC Board Member and Executive Director of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.

In addition to facilitators, LJC Board Chairman, Kelly Lawson of Trustmark Bank, welcomed the class on this nine month journey and encouraged them to commit to the program and to each other as they develop their leadership and networking skills. Also welcoming the class at orientation were corporate representatives Bob Billingsley of Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Billy Browning of Mississippi Power Company. Billingsley and Browning both commended the participants for their involvement in the program and charged each attendee to be more involved in effective community development for the future of Jones County.

Following the orientation, the community gathered with representation from local elected officials, spouses, employers and friends. The reception for the class was provided by Chamber member, Earthlink Business.  The keynote speaker of the night, Robin Robinson, Director of Organization Development and Corporate Communication at Sanderson Farms, Inc., welcomed the crowd and charged participants to always be continually learning, developing their leadership and networking skills and always be striving to make a difference in the community and in the lives of others.

Robinson was also appointed to serve on the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees and serves as Chair of the M. B. Swayze Educational Foundation which oversees Mississippi Economic Council’s Star Student/Star Teacher recognition and Leadership Mississippi.

Leadership Jones County is a program of the Jones County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority of Jones County, developed to identify and prepare the community’s future leadership resources. LJC has provided Jones County with a network of current and emerging leaders who possess the skills and sense of commitment to improve our community.

Currently in its twenty second year, the program begins in August, with a team building session followed by a two day retreat and concludes in May with a graduation ceremony.  Monthly sessions are scheduled on the first Wednesday of each month in various locations throughout Jones County and a session at our State Capitol in Jackson. Session topics include quality of life, state and local government, social issues, education, leadership skills training and more. 

In addition to Leadership Skills training, participants of the program will also work in teams to identify, develop, fund and implement a community service project to benefit the Jones County community. Past projects have included initiatives such as the creation of a pavilion in Pine Hurst Park in downtown Laurel, the Jones County Blues Marker and Blues Park, enhancements at several ball fields in the cities and county, additions to the Jones County Library system, projects at Ellisville State School, beautification enhancements in Ellisville, Laurel and throughout the county as well as numerous other educational and beneficial programs for youth, teens and kids.

The 2013 class participants are: Jeannine Agee - Laurel School District, Seth Assink - Trustmark Bank, Kari Blackledge - Holt Accounting, Andrew Cardwell – Cardwell & Cardwell, PLLC., Mit Cole - BancorpSouth Bank,  Becky Collins - South Central Regional Medical Center, Davy Fenton - Mt. Vernon Church, Andre Glenn – Estelle’s, Gary Gray - Mississippi Power Company, Courtney Hill - Hills In-House Jewelers, Chris Ishee - Community Bank, Kris Lightsey - Neel Schaffer Engineers, Keith Miller - Sanderson Farms, Inc., John Piazza – Attorney and Councilor of Law, PLLC., Mallorie Rasberry - High Cotton Events, Stephanie Robinson - Family Health Center, Andrew Sharp – Jones County Junior College, Hope Staples - Jones County School District, Charlotte Williams - Laurel Housing Authority

For additional information about Leadership Jones County, contact the Chamber Director, Larkin Simpson, at (601) 649-3031 or email larkins@edajones.com.  Also, learn more about Leadership Jones County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jonescountychamber.