Huntingdon County Planning and Development Department
205 Penn Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Contact: Richard Stahl
Huntingdon County Planning and Development Department
(814)643-5091
Twenty-two members of the Leadership Huntingdon County Class of 2007 gathered at the Huntingdon Country Club Thursday May 24th to celebrate their graduation from the nine-month program. Mistress of Ceremonies, Dianne Fortson introduced guests and welcomed everyone. Leadership Steering Committee Chair, Debra Gregory, reviewed the central focus on “servant leadership,” and thanked outgoing Steering Committee members Dr. Duane Stroman and Yvonne Martin for their service. A Class of 2007 Yearbook, containing photographs and biographic information about Class members, was distributed.
Each of four leadership teams presented the results of their community service projects to the audience of friends and community leaders. Bill Gearhart presented for Team Trail Mix. The team worked to build on efforts by the Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (JCEL), Huntingdon County Business and Industry (HCB&I) and the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau (HCVB) to attract an entrepreneur to open a bicycle shop in the county. The team developed a request for proposals, identified potential entrepreneurs and evaluated proposals. Team Insights made a group presentation on their project to make qualitative information on local schools available to the public. Patty Endres presented for Team Huntingdon County Helping Hands. Their project is designed to connect interested volunteers with agencies in need of volunteer services. Finally, the Business Daily Team, represented by Donna Marcotte, presented their project designed to demonstrate community support for a business page in The Daily News. More detailed descriptions of all of the community service projects may be found at www.huntingdoncounty.net.
Graduation Certificates, coffee mugs and monogrammed golf shirts were presented to each graduating Class member. The Class of 2007 includes a diverse group of twenty-two people. Class members include: Keri N. Aurand, Roger A. Briggs, Rosan Brown, Steve M. Carper, Janet Chambers, Claudia T. Conrad, George H. Conrad, Daniel E. Crotsley, Patricia S. Endres, Karen A. Foust, Linda M. Frehn, William D. Gearhart, Susan M. Harry, Christina Hartman, Robin Binder-Heath, Susanne M. House, Donna Marcotte, Jane McManus, Judy McMullen, Scott R. Price, Lori Schouppe-Wright, Cheryl E. Shope.
The Mistress of Ceremonies thanked the many individuals and organizations who have supported Leadership Huntingdon County during the year: various spekers, Huntingdon County Commisssioners, Huntingdon County Historical Society; Huntingdon County Business and Industry, Inc.; Huntingdon County Partnership for Economic Progress, Broad Top Area Coal Miners Historical Society; Orbisonia Historical Society and Mount Union Historical Society.
The Leadership Steering Committee includes Debra Gregory, Chair, Cooperative Extension; Ray Chambers; Mike Dudley, Mutual Benefit; Mark Gutshall, Head Start; Lisa Roth, Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce; Helen Pyzowski, Career Link; Christine Maxwell; Heather Dubbs, Kish Bank; and Richard Stahl, Huntingdon County Planning and Development Department. Approximately fifty people enjoyed a dinner of roast beef and turkey served by Country Club staff.
Leadership Huntingdon County is recruiting the Class of 2008. Applications are due by July 1, 2007. For further information concerning this program contact either the Huntingdon County Planning and Development Department (814)643-5091 or Chamber of Commerce (814)643-1110.