Leadership Haywood 16 Graduates

UNC Asheville's Leadership Programs wrapped up its 16th Leadership Haywood class with a graduation ceremony on May 11 for 19 program participants. More than 300 area residents have completed the program since its inception in 1988. 

"The program is designed to inform, prepare, and hopefully inspire citizens to become more effective leaders in Haywood County," said Gerry Goertz, director of UNC Asheville's Leadership Programs. Each year in Leadership Haywood, participants explore issues affecting the future of their community and topics ranging from local government and education to economic development and the environment. It also provides opportunities for participants to develop their leadership skills while meeting with current decision-makers in the community. 

Leadership Haywood 16 graduates are: Virginia Anglin, Haywood County DSS; Vickie Best, Town of Maggie Valley; Patrick Bradshaw, Bradshaw Engineering; Marnette Colborne, Waynesville Kiwanis Club; Seth Cole, Haywood County Schools; Jodie Ferguson, Haywood County Planning Department; Susan Griesinger, Western Carolina University; Ginger Lang, Mountain Mediation Services; Connie Lister, Haywood Community College; Wendi Mays, Southern Exposure Realty; Melissa McClure, Beverly-Hanks & Associates; Bill Miller, Maggie Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau/Chamber of Commerce; June Ray, Clerk of Superior Court-Haywood County; Larry Reeves, Silver Bluff Village; Susan Sachs, National Park Service; Scott Sutton, Town of Maggie Valley; David Teague, Haywood County Government; Amy Thomason, Healthy Haywood Coalition; and Victoria Young, Mountain Mediation Services. 

For more information about Leadership Haywood, call the UNC Asheville Leadership Programs office at 828/251-6125 or email leadership@unca.edu.

Media Contacts:

• Gerry Goertz, UNC Asheville Leadership Programs Director, 828/251-6694
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526