On Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the 701 Whaley, the Columbia Chamber and the Leadership Columbia Advisory Board (LCAB) honored 55 graduates of the Leadership Columbia program. The Class of 2018 completed ten class days, an orientation, a retreat, and a class project with Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc. (MIRCI). Since its inception in 1972, Leadership Columbia has graduated over 2,000 leaders across the Midlands.
"Leadership Columbia has provided the Midlands with a group of dedicated and passionate servant leaders for the past 45 years," said Carl Blackstone, President and CEO of the Columbia Chamber, "The work the Class of 2018 has done for MIRCI will greatly affect the lives of many in our community for years to come."
The Leadership Columbia Class of 2018:
Lakia Bass | BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina William B. Beaman | Colliers International Elizabeth Black | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. Caleb Bryant | Central Electric Power Cooperative Laura Burns | Seed Architecture, LLC Janet Carlson | Midlands Orthopedics Demetria Carswell | SCDHHS Alexandra Cebry | Columbia City Ballet Russell Comeaux | Aflac Incorporated Bethany Dadisman | Colonial Life Melissa Dunn | United Way of the Midlands Margaret Deans Fawcett | Camp Cole Robin Free | Palmetto GBA Nicholas Galante | The Animal Mission of Midlands Susan Gilfillan | BlueCross BlueShield of SC Hall Gladden | Colite International, LTD Michael Glenn | TD Bank Hunter Gordy | Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation Brennon D. Graham | Growing Home Southeast Heyward Harvin | The City of Columbia Mary Dell Hayes | Sexual Trauma Services Chase Heatherly | Free Times Jon Hethcox | Aflac Elizabeth Hutton | SCANA Corporation Ashley Jaillette | Association of Technical College Commissioners Erika Johnson | EDENS Merrell D. Johnson | SC Judicial Department
| Janie Kerzan | University of South Carolina Lee Ann Kornegay | 701 Whaley Adam Lee | The CFO Project Jesica Mackey | HDR Lisa Mathew | BlueCross BlueShield of SC Shayla Merrit | Stevens & Wilkinson Sam Monroe |BlueCross BlueShield of SC Matthew Nichols |Founders Federal Credit Union Patrick Olson | Colonial Life Connelly-Anne Ragley | Denny Public Affairs Mal Reeder | Midlands Technical College Rachel Robinson | SCANA Corporation Aubrey Lynne Sejuit | Lenoir-Rhyne University Bradley Shell | Peach Properties Betsy Sippel | LTC Health Solutions Samantha Skeeter | SC Department of Revenue Shawn Skillman | BlueCross BlueShield of SC Lauren Smith | Holder Properties Robert C. Squirewell | Rescare / SC Works Selia Straus | Sagacious Partners Daniella Surginer | Army Reserve Angel E. Sweeting | BlueCross BlueShield of SC Justine Tate | Adams and Reese LLP Samantha Vasknetz | Wolfe Solutions Kimberly Wilson | Estates Management Lara Winburn | WREN Becky Wych | United Way of the Midlands Emily Zackon | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein |
"The Class of 2018 is a group of incredible change agents," said Marshall Minton, 2017-2018 Leadership Columbia Advisory Board Chair, "These trailblazers have truly made a lasting impact on our region."
In addition to presenting each graduate with a commemorative plaque, the Columbia Chamber and LCAB honored Laura Burns with the Glenn Jacobus Award, an award given each year to a class member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the class project and truly embodied the role of a servant leader.
"The Leadership Columbia Alumni Association (LCAA) focuses on continuing and enhancing the skills created during the class year," said Ryan Newton, 2017-2018 Leadership Columbia Alumni Association Chair, "The graduates from this year's class will join 2,000 distinguished alumni serving our community."
In July, the Columbia Chamber will announce the Leadership Columbia Class of 2018.
"Year after year I continue to be impressed with the outstanding group of leaders within the program," said incoming 2018-2019 LCAB Chair, Hilary Dyer Brannon, "We are proud of the legacy created by the graduates of the Class of 2018, and look forward to the upcoming year with the Class of 2019."
About Leadership Columbia
Founded by the Columbia Chamber in 1972, Leadership Columbia strives to provide the community with an enduring source of diverse leaders who are prepared to serve their region. The 10-month skills-building program, aims to identify and motivate emerging community leaders; provide an educational experience with a strong emphasis on social and community awareness; and challenge participants to apply their talents within their community while providing an opportunity to become involved. The program focuses on showing the candidates an in-depth look at critical issues facing the Midlands.
For more information on Leadership Columbia, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com or contact Charlotte Bian-Lingle at cbian-lingle@columbiachamber.com.
About Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, non-profit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,500 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.
To become a Partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.