2009 Leadership Marshall Graduation

MARSHALL, TX – The Marshall Chamber of Commerce proudly presented 20 Leadership Marshall 2009 participants at a graduation ceremony held on Thursday evening, August 20, 2009 at OS2 Restaurant & Pub' s ballroom in historic downtown Marshall.

Chamber Board Chairman, George Carter, gave a warm welcome to the graduates and guests, which numbered nearly 70 people in attendance – the highest number in attendance on record. Chamber President and CEO, Connie Ware, introduced keynote speaker, Representative Bryan Hughes, Texas House of Representatives.

Representative Hughes presented a compelling address on being a servant and a leader. Hughes is known for demonstrating these exemplary characteristics in his personal life and in the House.

Leadership participant Debbie Lucas of Brownrigg Insurance Agency gave an invocation and class remarks were given by Louraiseal McDonald, Harrison County Extension Agent. She was assisted by Marco and Orlando Valle who presented facilitator Keli Talbert with The Most Inspirational Leader Award. Guy Barr of Marshall Christian Academy, alumni of Leadership Marshall, provided a stirring and inspirational message of commitment and responsibility.

A slideshow presentation played throughout the program and highlighted the last six months of group activities by the Leadership Marshall 2009 class and the many business and civic leaders they met in the community along the way.

Sponsored by the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Marshall began in 1991 and continues with success bringing leaders and potential leaders into contact with the many facets of the Marshall area to provide a close business network. The program focuses on education, health care, business and industry, quality of life and tourism, city and county government and a ROPES course at Camp Fern and ETBU. It concludes with a graduation banquet and awards ceremony.

Many students say, "It's amazing that you can live here all your life and yet learn so much through Leadership Marshall!”

Most every participant will agree that the program puts you in touch with every facet of the community in a personal way. You walk away knowing where and who to call when the program ends. The friendships and partnerships you build along the way enhance the leadership experience. Everyone was sad to see it end so soon. However, hopefully, they will take with them what they learned during the six-month course and utilize it to become better employees, better volunteers, and better citizens. Many of them are already demonstrating just that.

Suzon Tropaz Holmes identified the need of microscopes for the science classroom at Trinity Episcopal School and to everyone's surprise, ordered microscopes and had them shipped to the school. Orlando Valle is now serving as a Knight of Columbus. Marco Valle strengthened his commitment to Marshall, making the decision to stay in Marshall in order to serve this community. He also joined the Chamber Ambassador program. Juan Diaz also became a Chamber Ambassador. Marco, Orlando and Juan are also a part of the Chamber's Hispanic Business Alliance under the direction of Keli Talbert. Courtney Smith delivered the keynote address at Wiley's Leadership Conference and is pursuing a degree in criminal justice at Wiley. Gareth Juays seized the opportunity to ride along with the Marshall Police Department so that he could learn and more fully appreciate all our officers do.

"The Leadership Marshall course is inherently designed to promote community awareness, personal growth, communication, and involvement which make us better citizens,” said program facilitator, Keli Talbert, Business Development Director for the Chamber of Commerce. "We had an amazing group of leaders who are committed to making a difference within their spheres of influence, which ultimately impacts our community. Obviously you can look for great things from this group as they are already demonstrating. I feel so fortunate to have spent time with them. All of them are of exemplary character. My life is better because of them! It's exciting to think how much they will affect life for all of us in such a positive way.”

The graduates this year include:

Guy Bauer
El Chico Restaurant

Magen Bunyard
East Texas Baptist University

Jill Crocker
Marshall Festivals, Inc.

Juan Diaz
Jordan Health Services

Sandy Duncan
Woodlawn Manufacturing

Scott Fultner
The Jalapeño Tree

Ted Huffhines
Marshall Independent School District (MHS)

Gareth Juays
GoZoe Wireless

Brenda Keithley
CenterPoint Energy

Debbie Lucas
Brownrigg Insurance Agency

Louraiseal McDonald
Harrison County Extension Agency

Larry Pettey
Querbes & Nelson

Willie Rudd
City of Marshall, TX

Tracy Sepulvado
Community Healthcore

Suzon Tropaz-Holmes
Woodlawn Manufacturing

Courtney Smith
Texas State House of Representatives (Rep. Bryan Hughes)

Marco Valle
Woodforest National Bank (Wal-Mart Branch)

Orlando Valle
Woodforest National Bank (Kroger Branch)

Samuel Weiser
Activa Products, Inc.

Evelyn West
Myrtle's Sweet Shop

Nominations are already being received for the Leadership Marshall 2010 classes set to begin next March. For more information, contact the Chamber at (903) 935-7868.