Program Developing Leaders for Over 20 Years

Thirty-six emerging local business leaders were recently recognized for their completion of a program to build organizational and community leadership skills. The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce honored graduates of its Leadership Central Penn (LCP) Program at a graduation held at the Pine Barn Inn. The ceremony included graduates of the classes of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic canceling last year’s event.

Leadership Central Penn is a nine-month leadership program for aspiring leaders representing a diverse field of organizations including professional services, health care, manufacturing, and human service agencies. The objectives of this course are to provide professional development on capacity building skills including organizational leadership, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, leading change and more. Additionally, community-based topics include human services available in our area, workforce and economic development, the state of education, local government, healthcare as well as, learning about volunteer opportunities in our community.

The most recent classes mark the 21st and 22nd graduating classes of the LCP program. LCP is currently accepting applications for the Class of 2022 through July 23, 2021. To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/2021-22LCP. A limited number of scholarships are available for employees of non-profit organizations provided by the Community Giving Foundation. Scholarship applications are due July 16th.

Class of 2020

Jennifer Billig, Hand in Hand Family Resource Center

Nicole Cronenwett, Bloomsburg University

Jordan Frederick, Service 1st Federal Credit Union

Julie Hart, SEKISUI KYDEX

Michael Hepfer, Girton Manufacturing

Tim Hippensteel, DRIVE

Marla Kane, Bloomsburg University

Denika Keefer, Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community

Katherine Kemberling, Geisinger

Diane King, Honeysuckle Student Apartments

Patrick Love, PPL Electric Utilities

Travis Marker, Geisinger

Renea Poust, Danville Child Development Center

Jeremy Reese, Geisinger

Ayrin Shortlidge, Berwick Area United Way

Katie Simpson, Community Giving Foundation

Lesha Taylor, Hope Enterprise, Inc.

Kevin Troutman, First Columbia Bank & Trust

Gail Truax, Camp Victory

Aimee Wickham, First Keystone Community Bank

Class of 2021

Leonard Basara, Jr., SEKISUI KYDEX

Jeremy Brown, Columbia County

Jennifer Cughan, Columbia County Christian School

Brittany Drumm, Geisinger

Kelli Fester, First Columbia Bank & Trust

Rachael Herb, Service 1st

Federal Credit Union

Matthew Hess, Community Strategies Group

Forrest Jordan, PPL Electric Utilities

Jessica Lohmann, Women’s Center of Columbia/Montour

Justin Maxfield, Geisinger

Peter Morisco, St. Columba School

Karley Oeler, Geisinger

Monica Shah, Geisinger Health Plan

Kate Stepnick, Camp Victory

Allison Turayev, Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce

Carin Wharton, The Good Samaritan Mission