Leadership Academy
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 2024
Robin Altice
The Claiborne Bed & Breakfast
Daniel Brown
Bedford County 911
Kevin Bugg
Bugg Agency State Farm
Jodie Byrd
Ridge View Bank
Faith Carter
Drifters
Kimberly Diehl
SML Heating & Air
Eric Eberth
National Financial Services
Chad Green
Cox Communications
Jason Hodnett
Mango's Bar & Grill
Barry Jarrett
American National Bank
Brian Martin
Bedford County Parks & Recreation
Pam Martin
Magnets USA
Maegan Mitchell
Bethlehem United Methodist Church
Inge Terrill
Phoebe Needles Center
John Perez
Mariners Landing
Rebecca Ventola
Franklin County Public Library
Amanda Robertson
Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital
About the Leadership Academy
Objectives
- 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 $750, which includes orientation, classes, networking mixers and graduation.
2025 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 8
History & Culture
Wednesday, February 5
Regional Leadership
Wednesday, March 5
Tour of Smith Mountain Dam
Wednesday, April 2
Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality
Wednesday, May 7
Health & Human Services/Poverty Awareness
Wednesday, June 4
Protective Services
Wednesday, July 9
Economic Development
Wednesday, August 6
Education
Wednesday, September 3
Agri-Business/Natural Resources
Wednesday, October 1
Manufacturing
Wednesday, November 5
Graduation
Wednesday, December 3
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.