Jackson, Tennessee – Thirty local business professionals graduated from the Jackson Chamber’s 43rd Leadership Jackson class at the Carl Grant Events Center at Union University, Thursday.
According to Brittany Crockett – Social Media & Online Content, Adelsberger Marketing – Leadership Jackson, the chamber’s adult leadership development program, gives business professionals, employed with companies that are chamber members the opportunity to better understand the community, the opportunities and the challenges it faces. Class members visited community landmarks, met with area leaders and participated in weekly sessions about topics impacting Jackson-Madison County, including education, healthcare and government.
“The 43rd Leadership Jackson Class has taken full advantage of the opportunity to learn about and serve their community. Jackson has 30 individuals who are committed to servant leadership and investing in opportunities for the future of all residents of Jackson and Madison County. I am inspired by their vision for what is next and am honored to have been a part of their journey, ” said David Knack, vice-chair of Leadership Jackson Class of 2021.
“The 43rd Class of Leadership Jackson has taken the challenges given to them head on and have grown tremendously as a group, in their teams and as individuals,” mentioned Nick Hayes, chairman of Leadership Jackson Class of 2021. “They have utilized their resources to make a huge impact on Keep My Hood Good with their group projects. Jackson and Madison County is blessed to have this group of 30 empowered individuals taking ownership of our community’s future. It has been my honor to serve this group with David and Brandy.”
During the graduation ceremony, class members were recognized for their achievements and received their Leadership Jackson graduate certificate of completion. The class chose Thomas Brown, who is the Warehouse Manager with Regions Inter-Faith Association (RIFA), to be its spokesperson and share their reflections of going through the three-month program and how it will influence their lives. The class also selected Donna Stines, of the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation as the class social chair. Stines will be responsible for scheduling class meetings and coordinating the socials.
Margaret Livingston, with University School of Jackson, was selected to be vice-chair of Leadership Jackson in 2022. She will serve with Knack, who will assume the chairmanship.
Five class members were recognized for their commitment and personal growth. Thomas Brown, Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA); received the highest honor – the Diamond Award – for surpassing all requirements in Leadership Jackson. Jewel award recipients were Christi David, City of Jackson; Edna Morales, LeBonheur Children’s Outpatient Center; Jeff Nanney, Central Distributors, Inc.; and Michelle Thomas, SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County.
Leadership Jackson alumni who were recognized were Aaron Fitzgerald, Christian Brothers Automotive, class of 2019, Emerging Leader Award; Caitlin Roach, Lifeline Blood Services, class of 2016, Community Observance of Personal Excellence (COPE) Award; and, Dave Bratcher, The STAR Center, class of 2007, Harbert Alexander Award for Servant Leadership.
“It has been a pleasure to witness the 2021 class embrace ‘servant leadership’ since the program began in September,” said Brandy Stutsman, Director of Leadership Development, Jackson Chamber. “The more they learn about Jackson-Madison County, the more they invest for the greater good of our community. It will be exciting to see their continued impact in serving others.”
The Leadership Jackson Class graduates include:
Robin Apelgren, The Dream Center of Jackson
Michael Baughn, Jackson Energy Authority
Thomas Brown, Jr. Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA)
Trey Cleek, Madison County Commission
Jameson Colbert, Thrivent Financial
Christi David, The City of Jackson
Lizzie Emmons, The Jackson Arts Council
Dr. Joe Fote, Youth Town of Tennessee
Cameron Hansbrough, Jackson Chamber
Jeremy Hunt, Fellowship Bible Church
Cannon Johnson, Jackson Fence Company
Debra Kee, Keller Williams Prime Team Realtors
Jacob Klink, Simmons Bank
Erica Lasley, Stanley Black & Decker
Scott Lawson, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Margaret Livingston, University School of Jackson
Sidney McKelvey, Master Medical Equipment (MME)
Tawanika McKinney, City of Jackson
Edna Morales, LeBonheur Children’s Outpatient Center
Jeff Nanney, Central Distributors, Inc.
Jessica Platt, First Methodist Downtown Jackson
Beth Rainey, West Tennessee Healthcare
Justin Searcy
Andrew Smith, Criminal Investigator
Hannah Snowden, Madison County CASA
Julanne Stone, Scarlet Rope Project
Andrew Sutherland, Christian Brothers Automotive
Michelle Thomas, SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County
Christi Williams, Cowart Reese Sargent CPA’s
