Meet the 2020-2021 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, who graduated in July 2021. Watch the Class of 2020-2021’s recap video here.
Ohio
Samuel Brady
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Samuel Brady is the Executive Director of the Jackson County Economic Development Partnership. Prior to joining the Partnership in 2008, he worked in convenience retail. During his career he has served in various public service roles including President of the Wellston Chamber of Commerce and member of Wellston City Council. In 2018 he became Chairman of the Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio, and was appointed by Ohio Governor John Kasich to the Rio Grande Community College Board of Trustees. He lives in Jackson, Ohio with his wife, Rebekah, and their sons Samuel, Sullivan, and Simon.
Kentucky
Maria Braman
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Dr. Braman is the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for Appalachian Regional HealthCare. Prior to joining ARH in 2016, she was Vice President of Medical Affairs at St Peter’s Hospital in Helena MT. She has over a decade of experience in rural health care. Dr Braman completed her medical degree at George Washington University. She completed a residency in Pathology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. After Residency she completed a Fellowship at University of Michigan in Breast Pathology. In 2018 Dr Braman completed her MBA at The University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business. Her most enjoyable moments are spent with her husband, three children, 2 dogs, 3 cats and her pot belly pig.
New York
Matthew Bull
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Matthew Bull is the Chief Operations Officer at Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc., a Community Action Agency in the Finger Lakes – Southern Tier region of New York State. Prior to joining Pro Action in 2018, he worked with the NYS Dept. of State Community Services Block Grant Program, directed the economic development efforts at the City of Salamanca, and served as the elected Town Supervisor in his hometown of Machias, NY. Bull holds a BA from SUNY Geneseo and a MBA from St. Bonaventure University.
West Virginia
Violet Burdette
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Violet Burdette has worked in southern WV for nearly thirty-five years. She is employed at MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. (a Community Action Agency). The agency provides a variety of services targeting low-income individuals, families, communities and businesses throughout West Virginia. Ms. Burdette has an Undergraduate Degree in Social Work and Master’s Degree in Management. She is a Certified Community Action Professional, Certified Case Manager and Strengthening Family Workers Instructor. Violet has completed the Grantsmanship Training Program, WVU Certificate for Excellence in Nonprofit Management and multiple other programs. Violet is the mother of three and enjoys spending time with her family.
Maryland
Brandon Butler
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Brandon Butler is an experienced administrator turned consultant passionate about building communities through talent development. Brandon is currently a consultant with Greenwill Consulting Group, an Annapolis based government relations firm. Previously, Butler served as Allegany County Administrator, where he reorganized government, established a summer youth fellowship, and created a makerspace / training center. Previously, Brandon served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Workforce Development and Adult Learning at Maryland’s Department of Labor. While there, Butler led the crafting of Maryland’s Workforce Plan. Butler earned a BS from Frostburg State University and his JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Kentucky
Joe Choate
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Joe Choate is the Judge/Executive in Hart County Kentucky. Prior to being elected in November 2018, Joe was self-employed as an Automotive Wholesaler and Real Estate Broker. Joe is active in his church and in the community. He enjoys any down time he has on the cattle farm with his four children.
Kentucky
Amanda Clark
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Amanda Clark is the External Affairs Manager for Kentucky Power. Before joining Kentucky Power, she was the Vice President for Ashland Alliance, the regional economic development organization for Northeast Kentucky. Amanda is the youngest female elected to Ashland’s Board of Commissioners. She has served three consecutive terms. She chairs the Capital Projects Committee and represents the city on the Destination Ashland Team. She is a graduate of Marshall University and The Economic Development Institutes at The University of Oklahoma and The University of Kentucky. Amanda lives in Ashland with her husband Brian and their two sons.
North Carolina
Philip Cooper
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Philip Cooper is a Western North Carolina Native and the Coordinator for Up Skill WNC and the Founder of Hire Powered Staffing. Philip has committed his life to human services and specializes in working with justice involved citizens. As an expert by experience, Philip has evolved into a regional Change Agent, advocating and innovating solutions for public safety. He has a beautiful Woman of God on his side and 5 daughters, yes all daughters! He is an Evangelist and loves music and lifting weights.
Maryland
Michael Dreisbach
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A business consultant and partner of Fronterra Resources today Mike and his wife Jan operate 4 tourism related business in Garrett County, Maryland. Fronterra Resources is the parent company of Savage River Lodge, Cornucopia Café, Little Crossings Pantry and SRL Outdoors. Mike graduated from Hagerstown Community College and Frostburg State University. Mike is also a graduate of Leadership Maryland 2007 and Leadership Washington County 1989. Mike belongs to many outdoor organizations: Sierra Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Issac Walton League. He is President of Garrett Trails.
South Carolina
Mack Durham
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Mack is Mayor of his hometown and has served in the Williamston community as a Chiropractic Physician for 29 years. Joining the Appalachian Council Of Governments Board in 2013, he currently serves as Vice-Chair. Mack is married to Sharon Durham with five wonderful children. “I believe that the structure of our communities must primarily facilitate a functional social environment to grow healthy and vibrant communities. By creating this “human habitat”, rich with place-making and relationship-building opportunities, we attract residential growth. Residential growth expands the local market to increase support for existing businesses and create opportunities for next tier business investment.”
West Virginia
Rachel Dyer
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Rachel Rae Dyer is the Owner and President of This Place, a successful Business Services and Consulting company in Fairmont, WV. Rae received her MBA from WVU with a BS from Linfield College and a BA from Hiram College. She is a USAF veteran who serves as Chapter Captain of the North Central West Virginia Chapter of Team Red, White and Blue, and serves as President of the board for Choose West Virginia. Rae believes in continuous improvement both personally and professionally and conducts business and life on the principles of integrity, honesty, and service to others.
Maryland
Elizabeth Georg
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Elizabeth Georg is an attorney at Deep Creek Title Group in Oakland, Maryland. Georg is actively involved in the Garrett County, Maryland community and is a director on the following boards: The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, The Garrett College Foundation, First United Wealth Management Advisory Council, and The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation, Georg serves as chair of the Garrett County Economic Development Corporation, and was appointed as a member of the Garrett County Planning Commission in 2016. Elizabeth earned her Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School in 2003. She resides in the McHenry, Maryland area with her son, Avery.
South Carolina
Donald Godbey
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Don Godbey is a Licensed Independent Social Worker -Clinical Practice with over 40 years of clinical mental health counseling experience. Don served on Council and Mayor of Mauldin, South Carolina, form 2001 – 2011. While serving on council, Don was appointed to the Appalachian Council of Government (ACOG) and is the chair of the 6-county Economic Development Committee. He has spent the past 4 years servicing on the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) board. Don is married to Becky and they have two adult children. Don enjoys gardening, reading and hiking.
Georgia
Jennifer Ivey
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Jennifer Ivey is the branch manager of the Madison County Library in Danielsville, Georgia. She enjoys being an active part of her community and is involved in several community groups, such as the Madison County chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library committee and the Madison Area Resource Team. Ivey received a BA in sociology from the University of Georgia in 2000. In her spare time she enjoys hiking at nearby Watson Mill State Park, kayaking on the Broad River, reading, and sewing. She lives in Danielsville with her family (human and canine).
Mississippi
Kyle Jordan
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Kyle Jordan currently serves as the Deputy District Director for Congressman Michael Guest. Prior to this role Kyle served on former Congressman Gregg Harper’s staff during his ten years representing Mississippi’s Third Congressional District. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University and has been accepted into State’s Master of Public Policy and Administration program. Kyle is an active Rotarian and Mason and enjoys volunteering in his spare time in service to his community. From 2018 to 2019 he served as Master of Abert No. 89 Masonic Lodge in Starkville. Kyle sits on the board of trustees for the Mississippi Heritage Trust and is a member of the Starkville Rotary Club. He is married to the former Lura Corban of Winona, MS. They attend First United Methodist Church in Starkville where they reside with their Golden Doodle, Alice.
Ohio
Diane Lautenschleger
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Diane Lautenschleger found the passion of her lifetime growing the economy through tourism at the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau where she is responsible for Partnership Development. The dynamic nature of her career means her focus shifts from marketing buys and destination travel trade shows, to local grant writing, community development, and board service including Ohio’s Appalachian Country, the organization dedicated to growing Ohio’s economy through tourism as Past President. Co-creator of the #livetusc campaign, Lautenschleger actively seeks to influence positive workforce change throughout Tuscarawas County and the region. After business hours, you will find her working in her flower gardens.
Tennessee
Jeremy Lively
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Jeremy has worked for State Farm for 14 years and is currently an Agency Manager in Kingsport, TN. Prior to transitioning to agency, he was a Senior Agency Field Specialist responsible for consulting small business owners across Tennessee. Jeremy has held leadership roles for a number of non-profits in his community and enjoys volunteering, fund raising, and youth development. He is a graduate of UT, Knoxville with a B.S. in Communications as well as earned his LUTCF designation from the American College. He and his wife, Mary Glenn, have also owned small business and promote community development. Jeremy is an avid coach of youth sports, runner, and enjoys the outdoors. He has three children; Will (13), Mary Kate (10), and Charlie (5); a dog; and a cat named Richard.
Tennessee
Bridgett Massengill
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Bridgett Massengill is the President and CEO of Thrive Regional Partnership in the greater Chattanooga tristate region. Prior to joining Thrive in 2012, she consulted with small towns on downtown revitalization strategies through the National Main Street Center, led the Johnson City Development Authority, and served as legislative staff for the Tennessee General Assembly. Bridgett has a BS in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a MPA in Planning and Development from East Tennessee State University. She is a travel enthusiast who prefers adventures to National Parks in the RV with her husband and twin daughters.
New York
Darren McCabe
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Mayor Darren “Hal” McCabe is the Director of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and the Mayor of the Village of Homer, NY. McCabe has an impressive resume of public service and a long history of advocating for rural issues. He was most recently the Director of Outreach at NY FarmNet, where he led legislative efforts to help New York’s farmers survive and thrive in today’s challenging economy. Prior to joining FarmNet, McCabe was the Director of External Congressional Relations at the Council on Foundations in Washington DC, where he trained grantmaking foundations in how to lobby and advocate with their members of congress. Before CoF, he oversaw nine counties for former Congressman Michael Arcuri. Mr. McCabe is the current Mayor of the Village of Homer in Cortland County. He attended Ithaca College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Public Relations. He then went on to graduate studies in Political Management at George Washington University, Binghamton University, and Cornell University. As a native of Upstate New York, Mr. McCabe has a lifelong love for the area. He is an avid hunter and loves camping in the Adirondacks.
Georgia
Betsy McGriff
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Betsy McGriff joined the Dawson County Chamber as the Economic Development Director in 2018. She holds an MBA and BS in Chemistry both from Georgia Southern University. Previously, she worked with the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership. Betsy also worked as a Key Account Analyst with Georgia Power and served as Mayor of her hometown of Register, Georgia. She is a 2017 graduate of Locate South Georgia LEADS and a 2016 Georgia Forward Young Gamechanger. She and her husband Harley spend their free time ferrying their children Mac & Charlie to football, soccer, basketball, and drama practice.
Alabama
Teresa Merriweather Orok
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Dr. Teresa Orok is a professor and executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Development (CEIED) of the College of Business and Public Affairs at Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, Alabama. Dr. Orok has assisted more than 200 businesses in start-up and business scaling, and she is known for her leadership skills in building effective community engagement and collaborative partnerships. The Jackson, Tenn., native received training at Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.; Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga.; Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga.; Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, Ohio; and post-doctoral training at Harvard University. She shares her life with husband, Dr. Michael Orok, and daughter, Ekemini Orok, MD.
North Carolina
Carol Moore
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Dr. Carol Moore is the CEO & President of STEM West, a non-profit, working to create partnerships between educators and local STEM businesses in western NC. She brings with her 30+ years of experience in science and math education that includes seven years as a curriculum specialist. As a specialist, she managed science kit refurbishment programs, provided an array of PD opportunities, wrote and managed multiple grants, and built partnerships with local STEM businesses, government, and non-profit organizations. Throughout her career, she has been active in the NC Science Teachers Association and NC Science Leaders Association.
Tennessee
Angelee Murray
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Angelee Murray is the Director of Corporate & Community Development at ReVIDA Recovery Centers. Angelee’s career was built working across the nation in the fields of sales, marketing and image consulting with Mary Kay Cosmetics earning 13 Career Cars, with 6 of those being consecutive Pink Cadillacs. Angelee is Founder and Board President of Red Legacy Recovery, a contracted Addiction Recovery Program agency with TN Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. In 2016, Murray was named as Advocate & Educator for the National Safety Council. Angelee’s favorite things are her special needs dog and her two nephews.
Georgia
Jessie Owensby
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Jessie Owensby is the Community Development Manager for the City of Cornelia. Jessie is originally from Oakwood, Georgia and is the fourth of five children. She is a 2001 honor graduate from Rabun Gap Nacoochee School where she lived her four years of high school. She attended Middle Tennessee State University on a scholarship in the school of Mass Communications. Jessie is a 2015 graduate from Piedmont College with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. She is the incoming President of Cornelia Kiwanis, serves as Vice Chair of the Habersham County Library board, is an active member of the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, the Director of the Cornelia Business Association, and is an active choir member at Level Grove Baptist Church where she attends. Jessie is a Georgia Certified Economic Developer from Carl Vinson Institute of Government at UGA, and she is also a Georgia Downtown Development Professional through the Georgia Downtown Association. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Georgia. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, tennis and golf. She has been married to Mike Owensby for almost 16 years and has two children, Jake (13) and Savana (9).
Pennsylvania
Abbi Peters
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Abbi Peters is the EVP of Operations for the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship. She brings 20 years of experience within the creative economy to the Center’s leadership team and played a crucial role in establishing the programs that drive the PA Wilds Center’s place-based entrepreneurial ecosystem. Abbi is especially eager to put her experiences to work in her local community of Ridgway, Pa, as an elected councilperson. Abbi lives the dream of creative placemaking as she and her husband restore a 10,000 square-foot schoolhouse that serves as their home, work studio, and eventually a space for visiting artists.
Ohio
Beth Pirtle-Frazer
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Beth E. Pirtle-Frazer is the owner of Freestyle Consulting which offers planning, consulting and grant services that lead to organizational growth, strength and sustainability. Ms. Pirtle-Frazer is the president of the fledgling Manchester Renaissance Foundation, Inc. , an organization whose mission is to unite the arts, history and nature to revitalize Manchester, Ohio. A graduate of Hanover College with a BA in English, Beth is a member of the Leadership Adams Class of 2015, treasurer and past president of the Manchester Lions Club and she has served on both the Adams County Reentry Committee and the Jail Task Force.
Alabama
Tami Reist
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During her more than three decade long career in the tourism and travel industry, Tami has lived and worked by the theme expressed by the famous American heroine Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Tami is the President/CEO of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA). Her duties include planning, implementing, directing, and evaluating all promotional programs as well as overall development of the tourism and travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the State of Alabama. The region currently generates more than $3.2 billion in travel expenditures on an annual basis.
Pennsylvania
Lesley Ridge Allen
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Lesley Ridge Allen is passionate about helping businesses thrive. Her primary role at the Chamber is to connect businesses to Pennsylvania’s economic development ecosystem to maximize continued growth and expansion opportunities in Erie County. Previously, Ridge-Allen’s ran a digital marketing agency focused on small businesses and worked as the community manager for a consumer marketing agency in Boston. She began her career in public relations for a DC-based start-up after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University. She and her husband, Chris, enjoy spending time at Presque Isle and UPMC Park with their two sons.
Virginia
AJ Robinson
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AJ Robinson is the Director of Communications and Tourism for Tazewell County, Virginia where she oversees the County’s public relations, tourism industry, broadband initiatives, recreational development and community COVID-19 response. Previously, she worked in the United States Senate. A native of the Commonwealth, Robinson is passionate about serving her community and is on the board of the Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority, the Crooked Road and Communities in Schools of Southwest Virginia. Robinson resides in Bluefield, Virginia with her husband, Erik, and their set of twins, Sophia and Dalton. Outside of volunteering, she enjoys travel, reading, cooking and needlepoint.
Kentucky
Edna Schack
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Edna O. Schack is Co-Director of MSUTeach and professor of mathematics education in the Morehead State University Volgenau College of Education. She is a Kentucky Center for Mathematics faculty associate collaborating to develop community mathematics resource centers. She serves on the joint Morehead-Rowan County-Lakeview Heights Planning Commission and the Advisory Council of the Prichard Committee Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools. She and her husband live in the Morehead community where work, parks, bookstore, coffee shops, restaurants, bakery, and brewery are a short walk from home. Their four adult children visit to enjoy the local lake and forest activities.
West Virginia
Ron Scott Jr.
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Ron Scott Jr. was born in Wheeling WV and has been a lifelong resident. He graduated from Wheeling Park High School. Upon graduation, he attended Morehouse College in Atlanta GA; but ended up graduating from West Liberty University. He spent 13 years as a counselor in the field of Addictions and work at several area agencies such as Northwood Health Systems, Lee Day Report Center, Quest Recovery Services, Juvenile Mediation, Wheeling Park High School, and Youth Services Systems. His love for community, justice, and creativity has led him to several positions like former President and Vice President of the Upper Ohio Valley NAACP, former Vice Chairman of the Wheeling Human Rights Commission, founder of the Ohio Valley African American Students Association, member of Undependent Films, and board member of the Independent Theater Collective. In the position of Program Director of Cultural Diversity & Community Outreach, I get the opportunity to do many different things. I get to do speaking engagement and presentations to conduct awareness in the areas of Cultural Diversity, Acceptance, and the rising prevalence of Rape Culture. I also get to have events that blend cultures, and place people in environments that they aren’t used to with people that have more in common with than expected. A few Examples have been Mini-Con, Beyond The Closet, Hip-Hop: A Black Tie Affair, and The Wyleane Project. I feel that the goals and objectives of advocating for people who are facing discrimination and prejudice, conducting Cultural Awareness Workshops, providing culturally specific education/information/referrals, and provide community outreach in Ohio Valley; are lofty ones, but with the history of the YWCA and the competence of the staff with whom I’ll be working, I should be just fine.
Pennsylvania
John Sider
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John Sider is Director of Second Stage Capital for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern Pennsylvania. While also at Ben Franklin, he led the development of the “Innovate in PA” legislation which provided $85 million to fund a continuum of capital formation activities. Sider also worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development where he managed all venture capital initiatives and was appointed a Deputy Secretary by Governor Rendell in 2009. Previously, Sider was in financing roles at Community First Fund and Fulton Bank, graduated from Wheaton College and earned his MBA from Temple University.
Tennessee
Mark Stevans
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Mark Stevans joined the First Tennessee Development District in 2015 and serves as the Director of Special Projects. Prior to joining the staff of the FTDD, Mark served as the Western Program Manager for the Congressional Award, the U.S. Congress’ highest award for youth. Mark is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a BA in history and political science. Mark and his wife Meredith live in Greeneville with their dog Ladybird, and are active volunteers in their community. In his free time, Mark can often be found golfing, a sport in which he does not excel.
Tennessee
LeAnn Sutton
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LeAnn serves as Key Accounts Coordinator with Appalachian Electric Cooperative in New Market, Tennessee. She came to AEC eight years ago after working as a Regional Economic Development Specialist with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. She obtained an MBA from Carson-Newman University and a BS in Organizational Management from Tusculum University. Sutton holds a Certified Key Accounts Coordinator designation from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and is a graduate of the TVA Rural Leadership Institute. She and her family enjoy spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains and traveling internationally.
Ohio
Todd Wilkin
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Todd Wilkin is the city manager of Greenfield, Ohio, where he is responsible for the day to day operations. Todd has over 17 years of experience managing in both the private and public sectors. He is a member of the Highland County Planning Commission, as well as president of the Lynchburg-Clay Youth Basketball Association. He is a choir member and serves as the secretary at Faith Baptist Church. In his free time, he likes to coach youth baseball and basketball, as well as spend time with his wife, Bethanie, and their four beautiful children. Todd loves helping others and serving his community.
Mississippi
Ramona Williams
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Ramona Seabron-Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of Jobs for Mississippi Graduates, Incorporated, a high school dropout prevention/college and career readiness organization. She has held this post for 9 years. In this capacity she has been the catalyst for change which has resulted in an increase in the number of participants served across the state (presently 2,100 individuals); expanded the service area to include over 24 counties-58 sites, increased the agencies assets; and facilitated a 94.5% graduation rate, a 40% post secondary enrollment rate, and a 30% job obtainment rate for the senior students in its program. Williams attributes these accomplishments to God, a dynamic team of 62 dedicated employees who labor tirelessly, diverse partnership with educational, industry, community, and parents. The company’s mantra is “JMG, A Solution That Works. Seabron-Williams has a juris doctorate from MS College of Law, master’s degree in public policy/administration from Jackson State University, and an undergraduate degree from Tougaloo College. She has over 30 years in the public service field.
Virginia
Todd Wolford
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Todd Wolford is the Executive Director for Downtown Wytheville Inc. a 501c3 non-profit community building and economic development organization. Downtown Wytheville has reached state designation and national accreditation as a Main Street organization under Todd’s leadership. Prior to working for Downtown Wytheville, Todd was the Community Program Coordinator for the Town of Wytheville in which he oversaw all community programs, events and continued development of outdoor recreation. Todd has recently completed the Southwest Virginia Rise Emerging leadership program, which brings regional leaders together to build on collaboration, relationship building, and strategic thinking to achieve positive results for the region. Todd has been featured by the Brookings Institution on how “entrepreneurship can boost the local economy” and how “smarter federal policies can save rural America”, as well as many featured Main Street America blog publications. Todd has a love for the outdoors while leading a healthy lifestyle, and is passionate about being a positive changemaker to the community that he grew up in.
Pennsylvania
Kenneth Zipovsky
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Kenneth Zipovsky is the Rush Township Chief of Police in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and is an instructor at the Lackawanna College Police Academy. He is an accomplished member of the Law Enforcement community with three decades of experience. Zipovsky is Past President of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Officers Association, and The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #18. He has a BS in Government, Law, and National Security from Misericordia University, and an AS in Criminal Justice from Luzerne County Community College. He is a life-long resident of the northeast Pennsylvania coal region, and can been seen on two episodes of COPS.
Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni
Since 2019, nearly 160 Appalachians have gradated from ARC’s Appalachian Leadership Institute. After traveling the region, learning important capacity building skills, and getting to know fellow Appalachians, these leaders will continue to take lessons learned back to their communities to strengthen Appalachia.
Contact Us
Contact us by phone at 202.884.7700 or via email at leadership@arc.gov.