Delta Leadership Institute Graduates 31 Fellows in Virtual Graduation Ceremony
The Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy graduated 31 fellows during a September 23rd virtual ceremony. This graduating class marks the 15th year of DLI-trained regional leaders equipped to improve the economic competitiveness and social viability of the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt.
The 31 Executive Academy fellows completed the year-long DLI Executive Academy, a leadership development program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region. The program empowers fellows with the tools, experiences, and networks to address local and regional challenges, improve decision-making and policy development, and strengthen leadership capacity and mutual understanding of regional, state, and local cultures and issues.
“The Delta Leadership Institute is a dynamic tool within DRA to promote the economic advancement of the Delta,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell. “DLI’s diverse curriculum provides the next generation of economic and community development leaders with the tools needed to create change within their communities. I congratulate the DLI graduates and challenge you to use this new skillset to shape the development a more resilient Delta economy.”
The graduates participated in six training sessions over the past year to educate them on the regional and local economic and community development best practices employed across the Delta to catalyze innovative solutions implementable in their own community and region. DLI fellows learn from local, regional and national experts in infrastructure and transportation, small business and entrepreneurship, workforce development, public health and other fields necessary to facilitate economic growth in the Delta.
Congratulations to the following Delta Leaders who are now members of the Delta Leadership Network:
Ollie Davison, Birmingham, AL
Deputy District Director, U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell
Llevelyn Rhone, Greensboro, AL
Founder, Greensboro Regional Opportunity Works, Inc.
Fengna “Yvette” Zheng, Livingston, AL
Business Advisor, Small Business Development Center, University of West Alabama
Andy Davis, Roland, AR
Principal, New Water Systems, LLC
Susan A. Edwards, Little Rock, AR
Program Analyst, Delta Regional Authority
Suzzette Goldmon, Monticello, AR
Director of Hospitality and Tourism, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Samantha Montgomery, Little Rock, AR
Digital Coordinator, Arkansas Attorney General’s Office
Gene A. White, Jr., Pine Bluff, AR
Director of Advising and Retention, Southeast Arkansas College
Deborah Barnett, Carbondale, IL
Director, Business Incubator Programs and Associate Director, SIU Research Park, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Lauren Bonner, Carbondale, IL
Senate Aid, Office of U.S. Senator Richard Durbin
Jamie Green, Carbondale, IL
President, Murphysboro Main Street
Brooke Guthman, Murphysboro, IL
Member Services Manager, Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association
Hannah Chretien, Kevil, KY
Interim Director, Ballard Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Mason DeJarnett, Paducah, KY
Territory Manager, Fabick CAT
Karen Burks, Metairie, LA
Career and Workforce Development Trainer, Urban League of Louisiana
Mary Lewis, Alexandria, LA
Business and Cooperative Specialist, USDA, Rural Development
Brady Middleton, Rayville, LA
Director of Business Development, Ascent Health, Inc.
Byron Washington, Baton Rouge, LA
President/Chair of Board, NBR Now, Inc.
John (Russ) Garner, Brooksville, MS
Extension/Research Associate, Southern Rural Development Center
L Nicole Stringfellow, Cleveland, MS
Vice President, Delta Region, Together for Hope
Charles Williams, Jr., Jackson, MS
City Engineer, City of Jackson
Hannah Barnett, Dexter, MO
Executive Director, Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission
Shad Burner, Cape Girardeau, MO
Project Manager, Missouri Department of Economic Development
Kathy Medley, Sikeston, MO
Executive Vice President, Sikeston Regional Chamber & Economic Development Corp.
Gregory Roeback, Washington, MO
Chief Executive Officer, Great Mines Health Center
Krista Snyder, Potosi, MO
Executive Director, Washington County Industrial Development
Kim Foster, Paris, TN
City Manager, City of Paris
Joey Hassell, Brownsville, TN
Superintendent of Schools, Haywood County Schools
Erica Plybeah Hemphill, Memphis, TN
Founder & CEO at MedHaul
Brett Lashlee, Camden, TN
County Mayor, Benton County
Cody C. Wood, Lexington, TN
Chief Financial Officer, City of Lexington
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