Leadership Columbus class graduates its 34th class

The Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce held its 2015-2016 Leadership Columbus graduation Tuesday at the Cunningham Center for Leadership Development. It is the 34th class to graduate from the nine-month program.

The training provides a learning experience for existing and emerging leaders to the region, the chamber said. Participants are given experiences and information to develop an understanding of the opportunities, challenges and problems of Columbus and the region. Class members also gain a broader understanding of the complexities within the community represents.

Participants took part in nine full-day sessions, performed volunteer work, rode with a police officer, attended an art event, attended a board of education meeting, completed a public bus ride, attended a city council meeting and participated in a community service project. It also offered them opportunity to build friendships within their class and establish relationships within the community.

The class completed various community service projects in collaboration with the chamber’s Youth Leadership Columbus Program, which included work with Girls Inc., House of Heroes, Habitat for Humanity, the Children’s Miracle Network/Midtown Medical and Literacy Alliance. The class racked up more than 200 hours of community service altogether.

Leadership Columbus is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 class. For more information, visit www.columbusgachamber.com/leadershipcolumbus

Here are this year’s graduates:

▪ Brian Anderson, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce

▪ Sally Baker, Springer Opera House

▪ Brady Bennett, GEC

▪ Maj. Freddie Blackmon, Columbus Police Department

▪ John Boyd, Goldens’ Foundry & Machine Co.

▪ Jason Cuevas, Georgia Power Co.

▪ Jeremy Cummings, Columbus Water Works

▪ Amy Diehl, TSYS

▪ Mike Gallagher, Robinson, Grimes & Co.

▪ Marty Graves, Batson-Cook Co.

▪ Jon Greer, Carmike Cinemas

▪ Sallie Hadden, Columbus Bank & Trust

▪ David Hancock, Merrill Lynch

▪ Shelly Hall, Office of the District Attorney

▪ Anna Hensley, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers

▪ Stan Hickson, Columbus Regional Health

▪ Greg Hinson, The Overby Co. and Shred-a- way

▪ Randy Howell, University of Phoenix

▪ April Hopson, Columbus Technical College

▪ Warner Kennon, Office of the Solicitor General

▪ Anthony Lepoma, Georgia Power Co.

▪ Reggie Lewis, TSYS

▪ Kevin Loncher, The Wade Companies

▪ Gabriel Lundeen, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries

▪ Anthony Maddox, Aflac

▪ Lauren Minter, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

▪ S.L. Mullin, Freeman & Associates

▪ Cassie Myers, Pezold Companies

▪ Olivia Pennington, WRBL-TV

▪ Michael Porter, Aflac

▪ Todd Reeser, Columbus State University

▪ LaTivia Rivers, Columbus Georgia CVB

▪ Dennis Rome, Columbus State University

▪ David Rumph, TSYS

▪ John Scully, Scully & Scully Real Estate

▪ Gene Weldon, Brasfield & Gorrie

▪ Kitta Williams, Enrichment Services Program

This story was originally published June 25, 2016 at 8:42 PM with the headline "Leadership Columbus class graduates its 34th class."