CARRIERE — Question: What are the common denominators among fourteen assorted citizens — including an education superintendent, a mortician, an MSU termite-colony researcher, one US Navy/Stennis administrator, two banking executives, a healthcare administrator, an MSU/4-H agent, two NASA administrators, an Oceanographic Office administrator, and three realtors?

Answer: Civic pride and the desire to serve.

The above-mentioned citizens comprise the Partners for Pearl River County Leadership Class of 2008 - 2009. “Partners in Leadership”— recipient of the prestigious American Society for Training and Development designation — is a 10 month program to acquaint Pearl River Countians with local and county government, economic development, health and human services, history and arts, environment, education and contemporary leadership techniques. While it also provides excellent opportunities for personal enrichment and networking, it serves primarily to incubate civic-mindedness and leadership potential within Pearl River County citizens, one Leadership Class at a time. Thus far, “Partners in Leadership” has further enhanced altruism, public awareness, good citizenship, and leadership potential of 103 Pearl River Countians since 2004; the Class of 2009 will add 14 more.

At a kick-off Reception hosted by Mississippi State University and held August 12 at the Crosby Arboretum, the above group of citizens along with previous Leadership Class alumni, staff and mentors met for the first time. After Kelvin Stanford shared some highlights of last year’s program, an overview by Glade Woods outlined the mission statement of Partners for Pearl River County, and set the stage for subsequent speakers.

Woods said, “Some students may merely take away knowledge, some might provide input to benefit themselves and others, while others will be ‘multipliers’ who will go out into the community and continue to mentor and serve.” Recent alumni Niki Bean and Clay Sweet spoke about the reasons for and objectives of Leadership Class. Pam Covington and Guy Johnson, 2009 Leadership Class Co-Chairs, further described why Leadership Class is important to Pearl River County, especially during this time of post-Katrina influx and resulting growth.

Herschel Rector previewed the two-day retreat agenda designed to help each new recruit learn more about Pearl River County, themselves and their fellow classmates. Joi Olive explained how a state-of-the-art tool will enable the Class of 2009 to acknowledge their own particular leadership style and more importantly, how synergy within groups can impact goals. Everyone agreed that the weekend retreat at King’s Arrow Ranch in Lumberton would undoubtedly be informative, productive, and fun.

In preparation for the two-day retreat, Candidates were encouraged by several mentors to think about the future of Pearl River County in terms of the SWOT approach to problem-solving — an assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to growth and progress.

The 2009 “Partners in Leadership” are the following individuals: Tommy Breland, Poplarville Realty; Daniel Brown, White Funeral Homes; Jackie Bussell, USN/NavO at Stennis Space Center; Paulette Egler, REALTYcom; Keri Ladner, Covenant Health & Rehab; K.C. Lee, MSU Coastal Research & Extension Center; Jason Meador, Bank Plus; Micah Necaise, Hancock Bank; Eli Ouder, NASA/Stennis; Bob Pope, US Oceanographic Office/Stennis; Meagan Scott, MSU Extension Service; Dean Shaw, Picayune School District; Corey Smith, Executive Real Estate; and Ramona Travis, NASA/Stennis Space Center.

The group will meet one full day per month at different venues throughout PRC to further discuss, learn, and problem-solve issues pertinent to Pearl River County. Of special interest and community benefit will be one or more class projects, culminating with a graduation ceremony next May.

After food and fellowship were enjoyed by all at Crosby’s Pinecote Pavilion, the Leadership Class of 2009 then took leave to ponder the new 10 month journey upon which they would soon embark.

The Leadership Class of 2009 wishes to thank Jo Woods and Linda Pate for organizing all parts of the Reception; Ron Fine, Rod Lincoln and Glade Woods for mentoring past and incoming Leadership Classes; and Dr. Patricia Knight for recognizing past alumni and chairpersons for their dedication and hard work. Pam Covington and Dr. Knight, both past Leadership Class graduates, remain instrumental in supporting the Class this year, as in the past.

If you have any questions or comments about the above, please do not hesitate to contact Paulette Egler, Class Historian for 2009, pbe123@charter.net. Your input is solicited and greatly appreciated. More information about “Partners in Leadership” will be featured in future issues.

Submitted by Paulette Egler. She can be reached at pbe123@charter.net