From staff reports
Hosted by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Leadership Beaufort program celebrated its 39th class of graduates this week. The program is a nine-month program that guides a select group of local professionals through an in-depth view of cultural, economic, historic, social, educational, environmental and government resources.
Participants not only learn what is going on but how to make a difference in the community. The program builds community trustee leadership, and as a result, hundreds of alumni have made countless contributions to the region and quality of life.
The Leadership Beaufort program connects participants with prominent civic, business and government leaders. It is an interactive process for the “movers and shakers,” and also a way to form bonds between participants from a diverse array of backgrounds, demographics, employment sectors and more.
“The relationships cultivated over the course of this program will be as valuable to graduates as the lessons learned,” Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Interim President & CEO Megan Morris said in a news release. “The notion of teamwork and applying each other’s strengths for the best outcome is integral to the program.”
The program is administered by Connie Hipp and Rob Bridgers, along with a strong committee of alumni, who all share a passion for Leadership Beaufort. With this year’s graduation successfully completed, they look to the next class in this legacy. Applications for the 40th class are now available on the Chamber website, and the deadline is May 24.
Leadership Beaufort – Class of 2024
Ashley Amundson – Attorney, Harvey & Battey, P.A.
Gina Baucom – Teacher, Edmentum
Mark Bortnem – Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Scott Bowman – Director of Membership, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce
Donna Bradley – Senior Finance Manager, 303 Associates LLC
Cody Cannon – Assistant Community Manager, Parc at Broad River
Linda Coe – Broker/Agent, Homesfinder Realty Group
Kim Coolican – Realtor, Keller Williams Realty
Willard Fosberry – Parish Manager, St. Peter’s Catholic Church
Curt Freese- Community Development Director, City of Beaufort
Greg Godfrey – Sr. Clinical Research Associate – Molecular Diagnostics at Abbott Laboratories Tim Green – Business Development, Creative Interiors/Carpet One
Brian Hakes – Firefighter, City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal
Dannon James – US Probation Officer, United States Courts
Alana Jenkins – Director, Sea Island Heritage Academy
Shane Kimble – Supervisor Engineering, Dominion Energy
Andrea LaBonte – Cosmetologist, Hair Play Salon
Chris Lyon – Commanding Officer, H&HS MCAS Beaufort – USMC
Lawrence Maldonado – Operations Director, Sea Island Heritage Academy
Kathryn Mammel – Senior Counselor, InGenius Prep
Bri Martin – Social Media Manager, MCCS South Carolina
Jana Martin – Paralegal, Schiller & Hamilton
Danny O’Brien – Operations Director, ClickGiant
Elizabeth Palmer – Executive Director, Lowcountry Outreach
Meghan Pierro – Front Office Manager, Riverview Charter School
Christine Rogers-Raetsch – CEO/Owner, CRR Strategy
Sam Servick – Owner/CEO, Seagrass Exterminating
Jane Shanley – General Manager, Hargray/Cable One
Lana Simmons – Data Specialist, Beaufort County Schools
Marc Sviland – Retired
Joey Swearingen – Dean of Health Sciences, Technical College of the Lowcountry
Cori Talbert – Media Assistant, Beaufort County School District
Barbara Thomas – Retired
Ashton Viterbo – Business Development & Employee Relations Manager, Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Michelle Voegtle – Director, Clinical Programs, TryCycle Data Systems
Editor’s note: The Island News Editor Mike McCombs and Publisher Jeff Evans are graduates of the Leadership Beaufort Program.
