Members from the 2017 class of Leadership Webster received a historical tour of downtown Minden as the class kicked off its nine-month session.
Sponsored by the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Webster is a nine-month crash course covering virtually every aspect of parish life.
Chamber members send employees every year to take the course, which goes in depth with its examination of parish law enforcement, education, local media, medical services and governmental agencies.
“We are so excited about our 2017-18 Class of Leadership Webster. They are such a diverse group of community leaders from many generations,” Stephanie Barnette, chamber president said. “They come from all different backgrounds with occupations that range from barbers, to bankers, to preachers, to CEO’s of companies and politicians.”
Leadership Webster, founded in 1992, is geared to provide valuable information that will make those who take the course more informed for their future years as parish leaders.
Former chamber president Sue Gruber, who helped launch the program, will lead the classes.
“Sue started Leadership Webster in the early 1990’s and has seen over 200-community leaders graduate from this program,” Barnette said. “She is still such an invaluable asset to this Chamber and Leadership Webster, and I appreciate her strong desire to still want to give back to the community.”
To kick off the session, the class was given a walking tour of downtown Minden before heading to the Minden Presbyterian Church for a lunch with Webster Leadership alumni.
“Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights and is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. They are one who sees more than others see, who sees further than others, and who sees before others see it,” said local businessman Terry Gardner, who led the class on the tour. “This class is the definition of that.”
The 2017 class will graduate in May, but not before they make a trip to Baton Rouge and get an up close glimpse of the state government.
Participants include Alisha Meeker from Richland State Bank, Brandie Trammel from Carter Federal Credit Union, Buddy Forrest from Town & Country, Candi Wimberly from Wimberly Agency, Cardell Morgan from Fibrebond, Cordarius Wayne from Minden Medical Center, Greg Pearson from Minden Medical Center, Joel Gray from Gibsland Bank & Trust, Joel Thomas from Webster Parish Sheriff’s Fromfice, Katy Smith from Fibrebond, LaTina DeLoach from Citizens National Bank, Logan McConathy from State Farm, Marvin Garrett from Minden Police Department, Nick Cox from the Webster Parish Police Jury, Scott Price from Northwest LA Technical College, Staci Coburn from Bossier/Webster DA’s Office, Teresa Little from MBL Bank, Thomas Adams from Her’s Bridal, Tokia Whiting from Minden Police Department, Trey Waller from Living Word, Tricia Smith from Minden Medical Center, Whitney Bradley from Minden-South Webster Chamber from Commerce and Zita Miles from City from Minden.