With over 19 years of success and over 200 graduates, Leadership Halifax County continues to enhance the civic participation of emerging leaders within Halifax County. Every other year a class of community leaders representing the private, public and non-profit sectors enrolls for eight daylong sessions of instruction and dialogue about key county and regional issues, leadership development skills and opportunities for increased civic involvement. Participants meet with key community leaders, work hands-on in leadership exercises, and visit a variety of important institutions and places of interest, including the General Assembly in Richmond.

The 2008-2009 class is set to begin August 27 with an opening reception. This year’s session topics are: Orientation/Team Building/Personality Testing, Cultural Diversity/Customer Service/Ethics, Education, State Government, Healthcare, Local Government/Judicial System/Fire & Law Enforcement, Economic Development/Tourism, Media & Communications, and Community Service. It concludes with a graduation ceremony.

This year’s class members are: Ian Ayton, ABB; Connie Day, Chamber of Commerce; Lonnie Dixon, ABB; Dolly Fallen, Fallen Trucking Company; Mary Jane Francisco, Huber Engineered Woods; Mike Freshour, Deputy Commonwealth Attorney; Joe Gasperini, Brin Financial Corp.; Gary Bibson, Annin & Co.; Cheryl Hill, DCC; Renee Hunt, Annin & Co.; Lisa Kipps-Brown, Glerin Business Resources; Wallicia Lacks, Department of Social Services; Christy Lorenzen, Halifax Regional Health System; Sylvia Lovelace, Department of Social Services; Jason McCormick, Coldwell Banker/Powell Realty; Kirby Saunders, Halifax Regional Health System; Mel Stanley, Halifax County Public Schools.