The Pierce County Chamber of Commerce launched two leadership programs last month with 12 high school juniors enrolled in Student Leadership Academy (SLA) and 15 adults registered for Leadership Pierce.
“We’re expecting great things from these programs. Both the students and adults are engaged and eager to learn. I’m confident these folks will become future leaders and join us in making Pierce County an even better place to live, work and play,” said Sarah Gove, Chamber director.
SLA meets monthly. The program consists of club meetings on a variety of topics including civic health, law enforcement and economic development. Students will also tour various industries, farms and other sites around the county. Students will graduate from SLA in May 2023.
Leadership Pierce will meet bi-monthly. The class kicked off September 26 with orientation and Economic Development Day at Chemours Company in Offerman. Participants heard presentations on community and economic development from Jenny Robbins, community development manager with Georgia EMC, Jason Coley, community/economic development manager for Georgia Power, Matt Carter, Pierce County Industrial Development Authority Director and Andrew Kuhn, Chemours plant manager.
The class wrapped up Economic Development Day with tours of Chemours’ mineral processing facility and Mac 44 Trucking, both located off Zero Bay Road. Leadership Pierce will meet again November 7 for Agriculture Day.
It is the goal of both leadership programs to identify and develop informed, civic-oriented, leaders who are interested in helping direct the future of Pierce County.
“SLA and Leadership Pierce are great educational programs that lead to a more informed community,” says Carter.
Leadership Pierce sponsors and hosts include Georgia Power Company, Georgia EMC, Chemours Company, Actionpact, AgSouth Farm Credit, Bell Farms and RabbitEye Winery.
Student Leadership Academy’s presenting sponsor is Memorial Satilla Health. Other sponsors include Cal-Maine Foods, Hospice Satilla, Pierce County Board of Commissioners, Georgia Power, Chemours Company, Pierce Timber Company, Better Hometown Blackshear, Ascension St. Vincent’s Blackshear Family Practice, PrimeSouth Bank, Farmers & Builders Ace Hardware and Kelly’s Tanning Salon & Spa.
