By T. Michael Tennant, chairman, Leadership Gwinnett Foundation | As we kick off the 31st Leadership Gwinnett class year, I thought it timely to give a community update on the program, as well as news of board and officer changes at the Leadership Gwinnett Foundation.
Tennant
The Class of 2017 is bright, energetic and thirsty for knowledge about our community. Their Fall Retreat was yet another record-breaking success. As the most diverse class ever, I am certain they will soon claim to be The Best Class Ever! In May, they will swell our alumni ranks to over 1,100.
Three years ago, we launched a new short program called Glance Gwinnett. This program is thriving beautifully and, to date, we have 250 graduates with 35 expected for the November offering. We are seeing that Glance graduates want to move up to the full nine-month program. In fact, 15 of the past two year’s class members have been Glance grads. This is one more way Leadership Gwinnett is growing the collective impact of community leaders to advance Gwinnett.
The Board of Directors of the Leadership Gwinnett Foundation is changing. Rick O’Brien has moved to enjoy more of his retirement. Replacing Rick on the Board is Andrew Pourchier with Rhodes, Young, Black, and Duncan CPAs. We have also added another new member to the Board. His name is Michael Park with IBI Consulting and is from the 2014 LG class.
I am very proud of what we have created and nourished in the form of Leadership Gwinnett. Each class of LG and Glance Gwinnett, our staff leaders, Lisa Zaken and Brooke Waters, and our highly dedicated Board of Directors has energized me to a level of terrific satisfaction.
We have now achieved tremendous success with:
- Establishing our own autonomy;
- A thriving $1 million capital campaign;
- Enhanced financial independence, stability and future;
- Improved alumni relations;
- Independently audited financial statements;
- Established investment accounts managed by well-qualified financial advisors;
- Securing grant writer services to help us pursue new sources of funding;
- The adoption a five-year strategic plan; and
- A staff of dedicated professionals who do so very much.
After being active in LG for more than 32 years, I am confident that it is time for a change in the Chairman’s role at the Leadership Gwinnett Foundation. Our Nominating Committee, led by Carole Boyce, has recruited and developed a fine slate of successor officers.
Sweat
They include: June Sweat, chair; Renee Byrd-Lewis, chair-elect; Shenila Hill Rodriguez, secretary; Tammy Shumate, treasurer; Dan King, internal affairs chair; Demetrius Jordan, external affairs chair; and J. Michael Levengood, governance chair.
I will assume the role of Chair Emeritus and move to the back of the room until my current board term expires in 2017. The full slate was unanimously elected at the September 20 meeting of the Foundation board and their new duties commence immediately.
I hope you will join me in the exciting success of Leadership Gwinnett, Glance Gwinnett, and the new leadership team as we move forward to the next 30 years.
Follow Us