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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