Leadership Gwinnett announces class of 2016

Since 1985, Leadership Gwinnett has ensured that the community’s most influential and esteemed leaders are knowledgeable about issues, well networked and passionate about the success of the county and region. Armed with new knowledge, connections and perspectives, Leadership Gwinnett graduates are prepared to take their places as effective community leaders. The program year kicks off in August with orientation and will include two overnight retreats, seven learning days covering topics such as leadership in a world class community, infrastructure, economics, education, health & human services, justice and regional relations, as well as monthly study groups, exclusive tours and hands-on experiences. 

“Choosing the class requires balancing the occupations, qualifications and commitment of the candidates to insure a representation that reflects a cross section of the county.  The caliber of these applicants makes selection more difficult.  Since the class size is limited to 40, many excellent candidates are not chosen on their first nomination.  For this reason, we strongly encourage candidates to apply again if not selected,” said Lisa Zaken, Executive Director, Leadership Gwinnett.

“Leadership Gwinnett has been a tremendous success for our county.  Since the program’s inception in 1985, 1038 alumni have graduated and many have taken their places in our community as decision makers and role models.  Graduates can be found in every aspect of Gwinnett business, civic and cultural life,” said Patty Heitmuller, General Chair, Leadership Gwinnett and Director of Leadership Development, Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI.)

The Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2016 includes:  

•Marian Adeimy, Attorney, Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.

•Whit Alexander, Vice President, Lose & Associates, Inc.

•Mike Allee, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

•Taylor Anderson, President, Blue Landworks, LLC

•Butch Ayers, Chief of Police, Gwinnett County Police Department

•Kirsten Baker, Assistant Principal, GCPS – North Gwinnett High School

•Monica Batiste, Human Resource Staffing Director, Gwinnett County Public Schools

•Freddie Betanzos, Mail & Reprographic Supervisor, Georgia Power Company

•Brent Bohanan, Executive Director, Gwinnett County Habitat for Humanity, Inc.

•Cathie Brazell, AVP Clinical Operations, Gwinnett Medical Center

•Jim Brooks, Executive Director, Evermore Community Improvement District

•Tommy  Carraway, Senior Vice President, Brand Bank

•Trent Cloer, Audit Manager, Moore Stephens Tiller, LLC

•Radu Coliba, Associate Pastor/Director of Ministry Operations & Finance, Lawrenceville First Baptist Church

•Jennifer Cramer, SVP – Controller, Brand Mortgage

•Fred Dawkins, Owner,   Frederick C. Dawkins, Esq., P.C.

•Bryan Ginn, Chief Campus Officer, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine- GA Campus

•Theresa Hinds, Engineering Program Manager, Cisco Systems

•Danny Jardine, Chief Operations Officer, Gwinnett County Public Schools

•Scott Jarvis, Senior Associate-Construction and Government Contracts, Alston & Bird, LLP

•C. Douglas Johnson, Professor of Management, Georgia Gwinnett College

•Rory Johnson, Senior Executive Director, Lawrenceville Boys and Girls Club

•Charles Kim, Clinic Director, Georgia Gwinnett Chiropractic Clinic

•Donald Lee, Guardian ad Litem/Attorney II, Gwinnett County Government

•Nancy McGill, Owner, Cartridge World Lawrenceville

•Linnea Miller, Councilmember, City of Suwanee

•Kim Nelson, Executive Director, J.M. Tull – Gwinnett Family YMCA

•Dana Pagan, Lead Assistant Solicitor, Gwinnett County Solicitor’s Office

•Mark Reiswig, Director of Emergency Preparedness, Gwinnett County Health Department

•Scott Schmidly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Eastside Medical Center

•Kay Sibetta, Volunteer Gwinnett & HRC Coordinator, Gwinnett County Government

•Derek Singleton, Chief Financial Officer, View Point Health

•Sharon Smith, 2015 Teacher of the Year, GCPS- Brookwood Elementary School

•Amanda Sutt, CEO & Creative Director, Rock Paper Scissors

•Annie Valenty, Community Outreach Liaison, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

•Chandra Walker, Director of Leadership Development, Gwinnett County Public Schools 

•Jermaine Whirl , Dean of Business and Art & Design, Gwinnett Technical College

•Leticia Willis, President, Willis Mechanical, Inc.

•Shevonn Willis, Managing Attorney, The Smith Willis Firm, Ltd.

•Alex Wright, Director of Finance, Central Garden and Pet and City Councilman, Peachtree Corners City Council

Leadership Gwinnett, LLC is the home of two leadership programs. Leadership Gwinnett, a nine-month educational, networking and community development experience and Glance Gwinnett, a 2.5 day short program that gives a sneak peak of what the full program experience is all about. Both programs develop leaders that ultimately create a legacy of success by applying their talents to drive positive change for our community.  www.leadershipgwinnett.com