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 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
Will Dubuisson
Habitat for Humanity - Franklin County
Chris Fritze
SML State Park
Taylor Gallegos
Ridge View Bank
Sheri Green
Workday.com
Kelly Peaks Horner
Lucy Leadership Project
Casey Johnson
Re/Max Lakefront Realty
Steve Jones
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices SML
Matt McCarty
Bedford County
Grace Munoz
Drifters
Lauren Thurston
Bedford County
Abe Loper
Loper Financial
Steve McClintic
Smith Mountain Eagle
Lisa Peltier
Bedford County
Corey Whit
Franklin County
Rob Mann
AEP
Tyler Monk
Mariners Landing
Erin Stanley
SMLRCC
Mary Tershak
Carilion Clinic
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.