Leadership Anne Arundel Selects Flagship Class of 2008 (September 21, 2007)

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 21, 2007) - Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) has selected 39 people as members of its Flagship Class of 2008. The overriding theme of this year's Flagship Program is "Building Understanding for Change."

Flagship Class members participate in an intense nine-month curriculum that focuses on civic information and leadership skills development. The program is based on building community knowledge, developing leadership skills, and gaining a philosophical understanding of community trusteeship.

"We are very proud of this year's Flagship Class, which brings together a talented group of people who will be community leaders in the years to come," said Patrick Lee, President of LAA's Board of Directors. "We look forward to watching them learn and grow during their Flagship Program year."
LAA's Flagship Program begins in September with an evening orientation, a countywide bus tour and an overnight opening retreat. By the end of the month, participants will gain an understanding of what constitutes leadership, as well as an introduction to the infrastructure, natural resources and current political issues of Anne Arundel County.

The class meets for a full day once a month to focus on critical regional issues, meet and discuss issues with leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors, and identify areas of community needs and skills necessary to succeed as community leaders. The monthly sessions focus on the following issues: government, education, law and public safety, health and human services, economic development, environment and cultural arts.

The program also provides participants with the opportunity to build on and practice their leadership skills through a group project.

In June, the class will graduate with other Leadership Anne Arundel classes at LAA's gala dinner, "A Tribute to Community Leadership." Other LAA programs include the Executive Leadership Series and the Neighborhood Leadership Academy.

Leadership Anne Arundel develops and nurtures community trustees who improve the quality of life in Anne Arundel County by convening diverse stakeholders, bridging their divides, and facilitating resolutions for the common good. LAA provides people of diverse backgrounds with the education, resources and networks necessary to become successful pro-active leaders.

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FLAGSHIP CLASS OF 2008

Ken Barrette, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Sandy Berkeley, Anne Arundel County Department of Aging
Patrick Bradley, Maryland Aviation Administration
Jennifer Brienza, Law Office of Jennifer A. Brienza/C. Edward Middlebrooks, PA
Deborah Caldwell, Hospice of the Chesapeake
John Condra, Jr., YWCA
Nicole D'Amore, Junior League of Annapolis
Daniel Durr, Comcast Cable
Daniel Ellis, Arundel Habitat for Humanity
Howard Ernst, United States Naval Academy
Bess Freedlander, Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County
Victoria Fretwell, Johns Hopkins Health Care, LLC
Ileana Futter, Lee Associates
Ted Gattino, Mid-Atlantic Environmental Group, Inc.
Annie Geiermann, Citizens National Bank
Stacey Heckel, Anne Arundel Community College
V. K. Holtzendorf
Richard Hutzell, Maryland Gazette
Lois Lanier, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Kristen Lasker, The Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region
Darlene Lawrence, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Robert Lourie, O'Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, PA
Carrie Lycett, Opportunity Builders
Andrew McAlexander, BB&T
Holly Mills, ARINC, Inc.
Michael Moulden, Sr., Langton Green, Inc.
Spencer Neal, Severn Financial Group, Inc.
Michelle Phillips, Turner Construction Company
Tara Potter, Verizon
Alan Ruskin, TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
Rene Swafford, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation
Karen Swisher, United Way of Central Maryland
Charlene Templeton, Anne Arundel Community College
Marsha Tinker, SunTrust Bank
Teresa Tudor, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Paula Wadley, Anne Arundel Medical Center
Scott Wallace, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation
David Wheeler, The Columbia Bank
Rene Wilkins, Northrop Grumman Corporation


LAA CONTACT: Roman Budzinski, Director of Operations
Leadership Anne Arundel
Phone: 410.571.9798
E-mail: Roman@leadershipaa.org