May 14, 2009 CONTACT:
Cameron McPherson
CRT/tanaka for LEAD VIRGINIA
(804)675-8165
cmcpherson@crt-tanaka.com
LEAD VIRGINIA ANNOUNCES 2009 CLASS MEMBERS
Diverse Network Promotes Statewide Leadership for Commonwealth’s Future
LEAD VIRGINIA, the statewide leadership program now entering its fifth year of educating Virginia’s leaders about the issues most relevant to the Commonwealth, has announced its 2009 class members.
The 45 class participants are senior level executives in business, education, nonprofit and government agencies throughout the Commonwealth. They are experienced, recognized leaders within their professions who are seeking to bolster a shared vision of progressive change through active community involvement across Virginia. A complete list of the class participants is attached.
LEAD VIRGINIA’s 2009 curriculum centers on the key themes of economy, education and health and cultivates a shared vision and statewide perspective by examining the technology, economic development, demographics, transportation/growth management and quality of life issues impacting the Commonwealth in each of the regional sessions.
“LEAD VIRGINIA gives leaders insight into regional and statewide problems and access to essential resources to determine solutions by engaging class participants on issues relevant to their communities and others throughout the state,” said Susan Horne, president and CEO of LEAD VIRGINIA. “Graduates of the LEAD VIRGINIA program are better equipped to facilitate change throughout the Commonwealth and offer innovative solutions that will positively affect citizens in the years to come.“
The 2009 sessions will be held in seven regions throughout the state. The leaders participated in an orientation and opening session in Williamsburg April 16-18 and will, in upcoming months, visit southern Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. Additionally, an alumni conference will be held in Virginia’s Northern Neck, June 4-6, 2009, to discuss issues like the maritime economy, energy and agricultural sustainability.. The program will conclude with a final session and graduation dinner and awards program in Richmond November 20-21, 2009.
LEAD VIRGINIA educates participants about regional differences and statewide needs through the shared experience of seven two day sessions held throughout the Commonwealth. Endorsed by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, state universities and regional leadership organizations, the program offers leaders a forum for gaining deeper insights into complex statewide issues, exchanging resources, creating momentum and working within and outside the political arena to usher in positive change for the Commonwealth. Specific curriculum themes of local/regional economies, as well as the larger issues of education and health, are explored through in-depth dialogue, onsite field studies and experiential activities designed to highlight the diverse interests, resources and challenges of each region.
One of the LEAD Virginia participants is Tedd E. Povar, the associate director of the Institute of Government for the Cooper Center, UVa.
About LEAD VIRGINIA
LEAD VIRGINIA was incorporated as a charitable and educational organization in March 2005 and is patterned after similar models of statewide leadership programs across the nation. Led by a board of directors composed of business, education, government, nonprofit and community leaders from across Virginia, LEAD VIRGINIA uses a proven model for developing a statewide network of leaders by engaging academic, business, civic and government advisors to educate class members on the wide range of key issues in Virginia. 2009 sustaining sponsors of the program include Bon Secours Richmond Health System, HCA Virginia and Philip Morris USA. Additional sponsors include the Claude Moore Foundation, Dominion, The Harvest Foundation and Norfolk Southern Corporation. More information about LEAD VIRGINIA can be found at www.leadvirginia.org.
