Shown are, from left, first row: Amy Linton, Lisa Hullett, Kela Allison, Misty Shannon; middle row: Buchanan Jackson, Rita Schaffer, Helen Dunn, Debra Butler, Mikey Tanner, Wes Moore, T.J. Franey, Jenny Clark; back row: Leah Bolin, Jeff Lawson, Luke Chenault.

The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2012-13 Leadership Cullman County class concluded their program May 16 with a dinner, reception and recognition program at the All Steak. Program Co-chairs Jenny Clark of Wells Fargo Bank and Buchanan Jackson of Cullman County Economic Development Office, both graduates of the Leadership Cullman County program, presented the participants with their graduation awards.  

Designed to identify, prepare and build upon leadership resources within Cullman County, Leadership Cullman County has produced some of the area’s most worthwhile programs: Youth Leadership, VIPs, Outlook XXI and the Keeping It Real program now a part of the Cullman Area Workforce Solutions program. With this group the program now boasts 280 graduates since its inception in 1998.

Graduates of the 2012-13 Leadership Cullman County program were: Kela Allison, Traditions Bank; Sherry Barrett, Smith & Smith LLC; Craig Bradfield, REHAU; Debra Butler, Traditions Bank; Luke Chenault, Jeb Williamson CPA, LLC; Helen K. Dunn, Cullman City Schools; Cameron Everett, Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center;

T.J. Franey, Cullman County Commission on Education; Ginger Hogeland, Cullman County Board of Education; Lisa Hullett, Wallace State Community College; Brandi Jones, Cullman Regional Medical Center; Jeff Lawson, Southern Accents; Amy Linton, Cullman Regional Medical Center; Wes Moore, City of Cullman; Misty Shannon, First Community Bank; Rita Schaffer, REHAU; Adam Shedd, Premier Bank; Steve Smith, American Proteins, Inc; Mikey Tanner, Target Pest Control; and Lucas Wasilewski, First Community Bank.

The 2012-13 program, which began in early October last year with an opening retreat at Stone Bridge Lodge and Manor, included eight monthly meetings from October, 2012 to May, 2013. Each of the day-long monthly meetings examined a different issue such as education, local government, state government, health care, economic development, human services, criminal justice, agriculture and quality of life and the impact each has on the future direction of Cullman County.

The Chamber will begin taking applications for the 2012-13 Leadership Cullman County program beginning in July. For additional information, or to request an application, please contact the Chamber by calling 256-734-0454.