Five Christian Countians recently graduated from the inaugural class of Leadership West Kentucky.
They are: Martha Argotte of United Southern Bank, Ruth Lynch retired of Christian County Public Schools, Josh Ryan of Planters Bank, DeeAnna Sova of Ascend Elements and Joe Pelletier of Rogers Group.
This was the first year of the program sponsored by the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance, and there were 29 participants from 14 counties in west Kentucky for this new program.
Its members live or work in the counties represented by the WKRCA, including Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken and Trigg. All 14 counties had representation in the program — one created to promote regionalism, networking and productivity.
The Tennessee Valley Authority served as the presenting sponsor of the program, and its curriculum included leadership development, education on issues facing the region, relationship-building and awareness of the attributes and uniqueness of each county.
One-day sessions focused on a featured community as well as regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, advocacy, agriculture and tourism.
In February, the class focused on Lyon/Caldwell/Crittenden counties. In March, they met in Murray. In April, they met in Fulton/Hickman counties. And a final graduation session was held in Hopkinsville May 25.
Local sponsors included Planters Bank, Hopkinsville Community College and Atmos Energy. Pennyrile Rural Electric and Rogers Group served as day sponsors when the class was in Christian County.
The WKRCA will evaluate the program and determine the status of continuing with the program in 2024. More information about the alliance and be found online at www.wkrca.org.
Other News Edge members included:
— Jay Campbell, Fredonia Valley Bank, and for Caldwell County.
— D’Anna Browning, City of Marion; Tonya Driver, Crittenden Co. Board of Education, and for Crittenden County.
— Monica Walker, for Lyon County
— Scott Sholar, Tennessee Valley Authority, and for Trigg County.
— Stephanie Moss, of Child Watch
— Ryan Tolbert, of Atmos Energy
— and Austin Wetherington, for U.S. Congressman James Comer’s office
