MARSHALL, TX – The Marshall Chamber of Commerce proudly presented 18 Leadership Marshall 2010 participants at a graduation ceremony held on Thursday evening, August 19, 2010 at OS2 Restaurant & Pub' s ballroom in historic downtown Marshall.
Chamber President and CEO, Connie Ware, introduced keynote speaker, Representative Bryan Hughes, Texas House of Representatives. Representative Hughes presented a compelling address on being a servant and a leader. Hughes is known for demonstrating these exemplary characteristics in his personal life and in the House.
Leadership participant LaDarius Carter with East Texas Baptist University gave an invocation and class remarks were delivered by Melinda Gaulden, Sullivan Funeral Home. Michael Smith of Siebman, Reynolds, Burg, Phillips & Smith, LLP, alumni of Leadership Marshall, provided a stirring and inspirational message of commitment and responsibility.
A slideshow presentation played throughout the program and highlighted the last six months of group activities by the Leadership Marshall 2010 class and the many business and civic leaders they met in the community along the way.
Sponsored by the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Marshall began in 1991 and continues with success bringing leaders and potential leaders into contact with the many facets of the Marshall area to provide a close business network. The program focuses on education, health care, business and industry, quality of life and tourism, city and county government and a ROPES course at Camp Fern and ETBU. It concludes with a graduation banquet and awards ceremony.
Many students say, "It's amazing that you can live here all your life and yet learn so much through Leadership Marshall!”
Most every participant will agree that the program puts you in touch with every facet of the community in a personal way. You walk away knowing where and who to call when the program ends. The friendships and partnerships you build along the way enhance the leadership experience. Everyone was sad to see it end so soon. However, hopefully, they will take with them what they learned during the six-month course and utilize it to become better employees, better volunteers, and better citizens. Many of them are already demonstrating just that.
"The Leadership Marshall course is inherently designed to promote community awareness, personal growth, communication, and involvement which make us better citizens,” said program facilitator, Deon Behrman, Business Development Director for the Chamber of Commerce. "We had an amazing group of leaders who are committed to making a difference within their spheres of influence, which ultimately impacts our community. Obviously you can look for great things from this group as they are already demonstrating. I feel so fortunate to have spent time with them. All of them are of exemplary character. My life is better because of them! It's exciting to think how much they will affect life for all of us in such a positive way.”
The graduates this year include:
Genell Barclay
Activa Products, Inc.
Wanda Cameron
Woodlawn Manufacturing
LaDarius Carter
East Texas Baptist University
Amy Caudle
East Texas Baptist University
Charles Cook
Electrotechnics Corporation (EL TEC)
Kim Doyle
HeartsWay Hospice
Melinda Gaulden
Sullivan Funeral Home
Terri Richardson
Marshall News Messenger
Daren Horton
Gecko Pest Control
Amber Hunter
East Texas Baptist University
Bertile Johnson
Community Healthcore
Lawrence Kahler
Electrotechnics Corporation (EL Tec)
Stormy Lester
Patterson Automotive
Linda Roach
Bealls
Misty Scott
GoZoe
Angela White
Texas State Technical College - Marshall
Ardis Wright
City of Marshall, Texas
Nominations are already being received for the Leadership Marshall 2011 classes set to begin next March. For more information, contact the Chamber at (903) 935-7868.