Leadership Hardeman County Class of 2009

1. Leadership Hardeman County Class of 2009 L to R, back row: Sharron Murden, Thomas Leach, Marvin Shaw, Bill Irons front row: John Weaver, Louise Manhein, Doris Wooden Hardeman County Leadership Class Hold Graduation Exercise Seven of Hardeman County’s future leaders received their diplomas on May 22nd, signifying their successful completion of this year’s Leadership Hardeman County Program. The graduates, from all parts of the county, listened as the Whiteville Tennessee Technology Center’s Jeff Sisk challenged them to take up the challenge of leadership in whatever walk of life they may find themselves. Citing leadership principles set forth by former Secretary of State Collin Powell, Sisk urged the graduates to encourage and mentor the people in their organizations. “If your organization is a bus, then you have to make sure the right people are in the right seats; you’re the driver and you have to make it work.” The leadership program, operated by the Hardeman County Chamber of Commerce, met all the requirements of the Tennessee Three-Star Program and exposed students to seminars and field trips involving agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, education, and local and state government. Additionally, the students underwent a day of team building exercises through the Freed Hardeman University Mid-South Youth Camp. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rob Jensik said the 2010 edition of the class would also seek to challenge future leaders to see beyond their local communities and gain a greater understanding of all the county has to offer. He observed, “when the class began, we had people from Whiteville or Bolivar or Middleton, but now we have seven people who are truly residents of Hardeman County.” Next year’s class will begin accepting applications late in 2009. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Chamber of Commerce at 658-6554.