Chamber Celebrates 26 Years of Leadership, Announces 2014 Class

The Oxford‑Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2014 class of the Leadership Lafayette program in January and will run through August. The program began in 1988 and celebrates 26 years of leadership with this year’s class.
“I am very excited about this year’s program,” said Torie Marion, Leadership Lafayette chair. “They are a remarkable group, and we anticipate the work they will do through their
projects will enrich our community. We are also eager to see them use their skills to get involved in different facets of the community beyond the program.”
The 2014 class includes: Maranda Anderson, FNB Oxford; Steven Ash, Newk’s Eatery; Allissa Barkett, Volt; Angela Barlow, University of Mississippi; Joe Bishop, Oxford Police Department; Matt Bishop, Shelter Insurance; Gant Boone, Oxford University Bank; Dawn Boutwell, Alfa; Matt Burris, Mayo Mallette PLLC; Courtney Cedotal, Charter Road Hospitality; Kyle Fallin, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi; Marshall Fratesi, Bank of Oxford; Britton Holleman, Addicus LLC; Kirk Johnston, Regions Bank; Adam Lee, University of Mississippi; E.J. Lehman, Chili’s Bar and Grill; Michael Marino, FNC Inc.; Russ McNees, Holcomb Dunbar; Elizabeth McRight, MPAK Inc.; Eric Morgan, Caterpillar; Karen Peairs, University of Mississippi; Alice Ricks, United Way; Jeremy Roberts, University of Mississippi; Emily Scheuer, FNC Inc.; Golda Sharpe, University of Mississippi; Debbie Swan, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi; and Jordan Watson, Randall Commercial Group.

This eight-month course is designed to ensure the continuity of leadership in the Lafayette‑Oxford‑University community. The class training builds community leaders through shared knowledge, skills and experience. The program emphasizes developing leadership skills through activities promoting community awareness, team building and project development.
Objectives of the Leadership Lafayette Program are to: (1) Identify potential community leaders; (2) Develop individual leadership potential; (3) Acquire knowledge about community and current issues in Lafayette County; (4) Create dialogue and rapport among participants and current community leaders; (5) Provide opportunities to network with alumni of prior Leadership Lafayette programs; and (6) Promote a sense of “community” through shared efforts benefiting the local community.
“The Leadership Lafayette steering committee has been diligently working on details of the program, planning the sessions, speakers and agendas,” said Pam Swain, Leadership Lafayette program administrator and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce. “These volunteers have been through this program and similar programs and have spent countless hours ensuring that each session is of value and interest to the class.”
The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community, where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area. With over 600 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conducive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing strong financial, physical and human resources for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County.
These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.
– Pam Swain, Vice President, Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, 662.234.4651, pam@oxfordms.com, www.oxfordms.com