LEARNING TO BECOME BETTER LEADERS: Pictured are all of the individuals accepted into Leadership Thomas’ 40th class. The diverse group includes bankers, educators and leaders from non-profits.

THOMASVILLE- Leadership Thomas (LT) is a program of the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce. LT cultivates a diverse network of emerging and experienced leaders committed to improving the community. With the support of LT alumni and the business community, LT has conducted leadership programs since 1981 and was the second Chamber Initiative Leadership Program in the state of Georgia thanks to Lloyd Eckberg.

Chamber officials have announced their 40th class to participate in LT. The members of Class 40 are:

Haley Blalock of Cleaver Brooks, Anthony Choice of The City of Thomasville, Tiffany Davis of the Boys and Girls Club, Felicia Dilbert of the Bookshelf, Caroline Wight Donaldson of Thomasville National Bank, Alex English of Vashti Center, Chandler Giddes of the Thomasville Humane Society, Joy Godwin of Synovus Bank, Jackson Gordy of the First Bank, Eric Gossett of the City of Thomasville, Brittney Johnson of Georgia’s Own Credit Union, Melissa Leonard of Flowers Foods, Rendall Mash of the Mash Manor, Jason McLean of New Hire Solutions, Ron O’Meara of Southern Regional Technical College, Lindy Savelle of Georgia Grown Citrus, Lisa Scully of Hands on Thomas County, Drew Tuggle of Whitehurst, Blackburn and Warren, Brandon Vitulli of Check Mate and Spencer Young of Wiregrass Auction Group.

LT Class 40 will kick-off their year-long program with a retreat in Callaway Gardens in August to better get to know one another. The group will have nine monthly sessions (through May) and a closing with graduation next June. The sessions present activities and hands-on experiences related to leadership topics including economic development, government, the arts, healthcare, human services, law enforcement and the environment. Each program day will also include leadership training through curriculum provided by The J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development.

Throughout the year, participants will: Interact with leaders from the various sectors of the community (business, government, non-profit); learn from “unlike” minded people to build strong professional relationships; develop an awareness and participate in discussions of the challenges and opportunities in the community by examining major relevant business, government and social issues; enhance understanding of their personal leadership style to grow into higher-level roles, both in the work place and in the community; deepen their company’s profile with community, business and government leaders through visibility and commitment to community success; and learn how they can make a difference in the Thomasville-Thomas County area.

Applications for the next class will open in March of 2024. For more information on the Leadership Thomas program, you can visit their website at www.imaginethomasville.com or contact Kolbey Bracewell at (229) 226-9600 or email at kolbey@imaginethomasville.com.