Leadership Adams Announces Newest Class of Community Leaders

Leadership Adams has announced its newest class, welcoming 16 individuals from across Adams County who will spend the coming months strengthening their leadership skills, learning more about the community and building relationships with fellow leaders.

The new class represents a broad cross-section of the county, with participants coming from banking, education, healthcare, agriculture, public safety, transportation, utilities, manufacturing, small business and community service.

Selected for the newest Leadership Adams class are:

• Sheila O'Culm, Southern State Community College

• Sydney Campbell, Winchester CCCU

• Haylee Gilkison, First State Bank

• Justin Maddox, FRS Transportation

• Noah Scott, River Barn

• Kenneth Dick, Adams County Sheriff's Office

• Jenny Stoneking, OSU Extension

• Curtis Burns, Adams Rural Electric

• Tami Graham, Adams County Medical Foundation

• Chris Young, Adams County Christian School

• Gary Hoop, Forty-One Family Restaurant

• Roxanne Shepard, GE Aerospace

• Cherish Williams, Adams County Medical Foundation

• Lisa Rothwell, Attorney at Law

• Josh Michael, Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center

• Nikki Atkins, ABCAP

Leadership Adams is built around the belief that strong communities depend on people who understand the place they serve, know how to work across organizations and sectors, and are prepared to turn that knowledge into action.

Throughout the program, class members will have opportunities to expand their understanding of Adams County while developing practical leadership skills and forming relationships with other participants and community leaders. The experience is designed to connect leadership development with real-world application and encourage participants to remain actively involved in the future of the county.

This year's class reflects the range of people and organizations that contribute to Adams County every day. From education and healthcare to agriculture, manufacturing, public safety, financial services, transportation and small business, participants bring different experiences and perspectives to the same table. Those differences are an important part of the Leadership Adams experience, giving class members an opportunity to better understand how the many parts of a community connect.

Leadership Adams' mission is to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in Adams County by developing and preparing individuals to assume leadership responsibilities within their communities and organizations. The program seeks to build a well-informed and civically active community while helping participants connect leadership skills with their application in the field.

The newest class also becomes part of a Leadership Adams network that now includes more than 200 alumni. Graduates of the program represent businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and community institutions throughout Adams County and beyond. Many continue to serve as volunteers, board members, professionals and community leaders long after completing the program.

That growing alumni network is one of Leadership Adams' greatest strengths. Each new class creates connections not only among its participants, but with generations of graduates who share an understanding of the county and a commitment to its continued success.

With the selection of its newest class, Leadership Adams continues that tradition by investing in another group of individuals who will learn from one another, build lasting relationships and gain a deeper understanding of the community they serve.