Stanly County Chamber E-Newslink for July 2016
By Bridget Huckabee
The Long-lasting Benefits of Leadership Stanly
A picture is worth a thousand words and in this collage of photos of Leadership Stanly class members, each group's energy and enthusiasm shines through. But perhaps the best tributes to the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce's most successful program come from former graduates themselves. Here, four leaders in their fields speak about the long-lasting benefits they gained from participation in Leadership Stanly.
Shawn Oke is a successful small business entrepreneur, Fire Chief for the City of Albemarle and currently the
Chamber's Leadership Stanly Committee Chair.
Here are his words:
"Since graduating Leadership Stanly as a member of the Class of 2011 I have been a member of the Leadership Stanly Steering Committee. My time in the program and on the committee has allowed me the opportunity to see the positive changes the program brings to the current and
 future leaders of our community. Each year the class comes together in September as a group of strangers and graduates in May as leaders with a stronger bond to the community and each other. It is amazing to
watch the evolution of these class members, especially the members that have lived in Stanly County for several years. There is always an amazement of the offerings in our county as the class progresses through the program. We have so much to offer in our county and Leadership Stanly is a great opportunity to showcase those offerings to our current and future leaders."
David "Rudy" Rudisill is Executive Vice President of Uwharrie bank. Here is what he has to say:
"Leadership Stanly (class of 2006) provided me the opportunity to meet and work with leaders from other fields tha t I likely would not have met otherwise. Even though I was unsure of what to expect beginning with the retreat, our group immediately connected and supported each other and that continued throughout the nine months of Leadership Stanly and continues today as Alumni. I would encourage anyone to enroll in Leadership Stanly, whether a newcomer to Stanly County or a lifelong resident as I am or somewhere in between. You'll have valuable experiences that you will not get anywhere else...and you'll have a great time doing it."
Dawn Allen is
Chief Executive Officer of GHA Autism Supports and the 2015 recipient of the Chamber's Small Business Award.
Her e are her words:
"The Leadership Stanly program offered by the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce is one of the most valuable programs for anyone living and/or working in Stanly County. The program introduces participants to services and businesses in Stanly County while allowing the opportunity to develop contacts and friendships. As a graduate of the program, I can personally speak to the positive impact that it had on my life and my organization."
And last but not least, are the words of
President and CEO of the Chamber, Kathy Almond:
"As a local small business owner I had always wanted to be a part of the SCCoC Leadership Stanly Program. When I graduated the Chamber's Leadership Program in May 2000 I would have never dreamed that one day I would have the opportunity to lead Stanly County Chamber of Commerce as its President. I joined our Chamber as a business owner in 1990; I have served as a member of the Board of Directors and now as President of SCCoC. Leadership Stanly is one of my most rewarding professional development experiences. I am grateful to those who have made this program possible in the past, the present, and for our future."
To learn more about the upcoming Leadership Stanly Program year and to submit an application, please visit:
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