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
![Altice, Robin Altice, Robin](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Altice-Robin-300x300.jpg)
Robin Altice
The Claiborne Bed & Breakfast
![Brown, Daniel Brown, Daniel](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Brown-Daniel-300x300.jpg)
Daniel Brown
Bedford County 911
![Bugg ,Kevin Bugg ,Kevin](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Bugg-Kevin-300x300.jpg)
Kevin Bugg
Bugg Agency State Farm
![Byrd, Jodie Byrd, Jodie](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Byrd-Jodie-300x300.jpg)
Jodie Byrd
Ridge View Bank
![Carter, Faith Carter, Faith](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Carter-Faith-300x300.jpg)
Faith Carter
Drifters
![Diehl, Kimberly Diehl, Kimberly](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Diehl-Kimberly-300x300.jpg)
Kimberly Diehl
SML Heating & Air
![Ebert, Eric Ebert, Eric](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Ebert-Eric-300x300.jpg)
Eric Eberth
National Financial Services
![Green, Chad Green, Chad](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Green-Chad-300x300.jpg)
Chad Green
Cox Communications
![Hodnett, Jason Hodnett, Jason](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Hodnett-Jason-300x300.jpg)
Jason Hodnett
Mango's Bar & Grill
![Jarrett, Barry Jarrett, Barry](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Jarrett-Barry-300x300.jpg)
Barry Jarrett
American National Bank
![Martin, Brian Martin, Brian](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Martin-Brian-300x300.jpg)
Brian Martin
Bedford County Parks & Recreation
![Martin, Pam Martin, Pam](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Martin-Pam-300x300.jpg)
Pam Martin
Magnets USA
![Mitchell, Maegan Mitchell, Maegan](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Mitchell-Maegan-300x300.jpg)
Maegan Mitchell
Bethlehem United Methodist Church
![Terrill, Inge Terrill, Inge](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Terrill-Inge-300x300.jpg)
Inge Terrill
Phoebe Needles Center
![Perez, John Perez, John](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Perez-John-300x300.jpg)
John Perez
Mariners Landing
![Ventola, Rebecca Ventola, Rebecca](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Ventola-Rebecca-300x300.jpg)
Rebecca Ventola
Franklin County Public Library
![Robertson, Amanda Robertson, Amanda](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1925/2024/02/Robertson-Amanda-300x300.jpg)
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.
2024 Schedule
This is a tentative schedule. More details will be distributed to the class at orientation. Most classes will be in session noon-4:30 p.m.
Orientation
Wednesday, January 10
History & Culture
Wednesday, February 7
Regional Leadership
Wednesday, March 6
Tour of Smith Mountain Dam
Wednesday, April 3
Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality
Wednesday, May 1
Health & Human Services/Poverty Awareness
Wednesday, June 5
Protective Services
Wednesday, July 10
Economic Development
Wednesday, August 7
Education
Wednesday, September 11
Agri-Business/Natural Resources
Wednesday, October2
Manufacturing
Wednesday, November 11
Graduation
Wednesday, Dec. 4
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.