Educating Emerging Leaders at SML
The Smith Mountain Lake Leadership Academy is a 12-month leadership program designed to develop a diversified corps of informed, committed and qualified individuals who will assume leadership roles for Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania county organizations, both public and private, to meet the needs of the future.
Class of 2025
Renae Aquilina
Goodhue Boat Company
Amanda Baker
Legacy Hospice
PJ Belle
PJ at the Lake
Abigail Courington
Bedford County
George Cooper
Deb Beran Properties
Joseph Arthur
Western Virginia Water Authority
Chris Fritze
SML State Park
Kelly Peaks Horner
Lucy Leadership Project
Matt McCarty
Bedford County
Grace Munoz
Drifters
Lauren Thurston
Bedford County
Steve McClintic
Smith Mountain Eagle
Lisa Peltier
Bedford County
Corey Whit
Franklin County
Tyler Monk
Mariners Landing
Erin Stanley
SMLRCC
Mary Tershak
Carilion Clinic
About the Leadership Academy
Objectives     Â
- To identify and develop potential and existing leaders in business, government, and the community and to help them better prepare for responsibility in the community.
- To provide these leaders with a practical, clear and simple understanding of major problems and opportunities facing our community.
- To facilitate access between emerging leaders and current leadership of the community.
- To improve the communications network among leaders from diverse backgrounds and interests.
- To create an avenue for persons of demonstrated commitment to the community to meet and exchange ideas.
- To stimulate increased participation in and commitment to the community.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Smith Mountain Lake Leadership Academy is to develop local leaders by equipping them with leadership skills, to provide information on community issues so that the community can progress, and to evoke community action based on the presentation of these issues.
Overview
Each year, participants are selected through an application process. Orientation begins in early January and class days are the first Wednesday of each month with graduation in early December.
The Chamber will accept a limited number of participants from a diverse group of local professionals, representing various local industries and entities. For those selected, the tuition will be $1,000, which includes orientation, classes, networking mixers and graduation.
Leadership Academy Alumni:
Class of 2021
Betty Robertson - Carilion Clinic
Christine Giglio - Bedford County 911 Center
Dr. Charles Dudley - Advantage Merchant Systems LLC
Even Deyerle - American National Bank and Trust
John Broughton - Franklin County
Julia Darling - Savvy Promos
Kelly Drinkard - Mariners Landing
Madeline Sefcik - Franklin County
Mariel Fowler - Bedford County
Ryan Walters - Drifters
Shauna Janczuk - Farm Credit of the Virginias
Tommie-Jo Walker - Smith Mountain Eagle
Whitney Pugh - Agenacare Housecalls, PLLC
Xan Pilgrim - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices SML Real Estate
Class of 2022
Alyssa Eads - Mariners Landing
Baylie Kelley - Casago SML
Brandy Rosser - Franklin County
Chasity Barbour - Town of Vinton
Daniel Pinard - Town of Rocky Mount
Eric Schmidt - Franklin County
Heather Falls - American National Insurance
Heather Kesterson - Franklin County
James Little - American National Bank
Justin Sigmon - Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Megan Huston - Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Miranda Mitchell - Drifters
Rachel Wilbourne - Savvy Promos
Richard Anglin - Timber Loving Care
Tracy McCown - Carilion Clinic
Class of 2023
Bill Raney - Franklin County
Brad Harmon - Mariners Landing
Dana Montgomery - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices SML Real Estate
Desmone Cobbs - Drifters
Holley Scheffel - Bedford County
Leo George - Bedford County Fire & Rescue
Mark Redden - Holley Insurance
Michelle Crumpacker - Destination Bedford
Ronnie Altice - Carilion Clinic
Sarah Bowman - Ferrum College
Shelby Devericks - Susan Balderson State Farm
Stacy Dawson - Casago SML
Steve Furrow - Mountain to Lake Realty
Tina McConnell - American Natinoal Bank
Trevor Smith - Anchor Title SML
Trevor Stanley - Franklin County
Tyler Lee - Ridge View Bank
Whitney Greenway - Bedford County
Class of 2024
Amanda Robertson - Carilion Clinic
Brian Martin - Bedford County Parks & Rec
Chad Green - Cox Communications
Daniel Brown - Bedford County
Faith Carter-Weeks - Drifters
Inge Terrill - Phoebe Needles Center
Jason Hodnett - Mangos Bar & Grill
Jodie Byrd - Ridge View Bank
John Perez - Mariners Landing
Kevin Bugg - Bugg Agency State Farm
Kim Diehl - SML Heating & Air
Maegan Mitchell - Bethlehem United Methodist Church
Rebecca Ventola - Franklin County Public Library
Robin Altice - The Claiborne B&B
Jim Patterson - National Financial Services
Class of 2025
Abe Loper - Loper Financial
Abigail Courington - Bedford County
Amanda Baker - Legacy Hospice
Casey Johnson - Re/Max Lakefront Realty
Corey White - Franklin County
Erin Stanley - Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce
George Cooper - Deb Beran Properties
Grace Munoz - Drifters
Joseph Arthur - Western Virginia Water Authority
Kelly Peaks Horner - Lucy Leadership Project
Lauren Thurston -Bedford County
Lisa Peltier - Bedford County
Mary Tershak - Carilion Clinic
Matt McCarty - Bedford County
Renae Aquilina - Goodhue Boat Company
Rob Mann - AEP
Sheri Green - WorkDay.com
Steve Jones - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices SML Real Estate
Steve McClintic - Smith Mountain Eagle
Tyler Monk - Mariners Landing
Will Dubuisson - Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County
2026 Schedule
This is a tentative schedule. More details will be distributed to the class at orientation. Most classes will be in session noon-5:00 p.m.
Orientation
Wednesday, January 7
History & Culture
Wednesday, February 4
Education
Wednesday, March 4
Regional Leadership
Wednesday, April 1
Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality
Wednesday, May 6
Health & Human Services/Poverty Awareness
Wednesday, June 3
Protective Services
Wednesday, July 8
Economic Development
Wednesday, August 5
Tour of the SML Dam
Wednesday, September 2
Agri-Business/Natural Resources
Wednesday, October 7
Manufacturing
Wednesday, November 4
Graduation
Wednesday, December 2
In order to successfully complete the Smith Mountain Lake Leadership Academy program, attendance is expected at all scheduled sessions. Failure to attend all sessions may result in participant's ineligibility to graduate from the program. The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber realizes that unexpected situations may arise that result in participant's inability to attend. In such instances the Chamber’s Education Committee will evaluate the absence on a case-by-case basis.