Leadership Cherokee Graduates 28th Class

WOODSTOCK, GA -- Leadership Cherokee, a program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, last week graduated its 28th Anniversary Class.

The ceremony was held on Friday, Sept. 16 and with the completion of this year's class, the alumni count now exceeds 570 graduates.

Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2016 selected three of their peers to receive special annual recognitions. The Cristal Stancil Leadership Award honorees were Shannon Gibbs of Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services and Holly Springs City Councilman Michael Zenchuk.

The Bob Frongillo Magic Spark Plug Award was presented to Jack Tuszynski of Family Life Publications. Outgoing 2016 Leadership Cherokee Chair Katie Wise of LGE Community Credit Union, was recognized by Incoming Chair Heath Tippens of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development.

The Leadership Cherokee program kicked-off with a retreat where the group participated in both indoor and outdoor team building exercises that enabled them to learn not only about each other, but themselves through a look at personality types and communication styles.

Over a nine-month period, Leadership Cherokee exposed the group of existing and emerging leaders to a broad range of sessions that focused on topics such as economic development, infrastructure, government, justice, arts, education, recreation, tourism, public safety, healthcare and social/human services.

The nomination deadline for the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2017 is Oct. 1. For information on the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2017 contact the Chamber office at 770-345-0400 or visit the Chamber’s website.

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Photo 1: Shannon Gibbs (l) with Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services and Michael Zenchuk (r), Holly Springs City Councilman, received the Cristal Stancil Leadership Award. Katie Wise, LGE Community Credit Union, (center) served as 2016 Chair of the Leadership Cherokee program.
Photo 2: Katie Wise (l) with LGE Community Credit Union and 2016 Chair of the Leadership Cherokee program, presented Jack Tuszynski of Family Life Publications with the Bob Frongillo Magic Spark Plug Award.
Photo 3: The Leadership Cherokee Class of 2016 includes: Front Row (l to r): Cassie Kelly, The Salvation Army Service Center & Family Store; Giselle Espinal-Francis, Goshen Valley Foundation; Vanna Hernandez, Cherokee County Clerk of Courts; Janet Read, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; Ashley Carlile, Thompson, Meier & King, P.C.; Crystal Welch, city of Woodstock; Heather Daily, Cherokee Training Center; Amber Smithwick; Tracey Boltres, Pied Piper Pest Control. Back Row (l to r): Mark Mitchell, city of Canton; Shannon Gibbs, Cherokee Co. Fire & Emergency Services; Dixie Williams, Southeast Restoration Group; Brian Reece, Cherokee Co. Fire & Emergency Services; Amy Hall, North GA CPA Services; Kevin Lanier, Cherokee Co. Fire & Emergency Services; Chris Sizemore, Roytec Industries; Jey Willis, State Farm Insurance-Jey Willis Agency; Michael Zenchuk, city of Holly Springs; Katie Pearson, Northside Hospital–Cherokee; Joe Perkins, Cherokee Co. Sheriff's Office; Jack Tuszynski, Family Life Publications. Not pictured: Jeremy Harmon, WellStar Health System; Maggie Wilt, Keller Williams Realty.
Photo credits: Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce