LEADERSHIP HOUSTON COUNTY HISTORY

Leadership Houston County offered its first class in 2001-2002 to develop effective, community leaders by arming them with knowledge, skills, and the network needed to build a cooperative spirit to enhance the quality of life; and promote an excellent education system for the people of the Houston County area.  Leadership Houston County has just kicked off its sixth class with the September 2006 Retreat at the Shamrock Club.   Very special thanks to Betty & Bob McKinnon for their wonderful hospitality and help with all of the Leadership Houston County Retreats!  It has been so wonderful have such a beautiful setting and such gracious host for our Retreats.  Thanks again for making them so spectacular Miss Betty & Mr. Bob!!!!

The LHC program fosters understanding of the assets, challenges, and future of the Houston County area.  LHC sessions are designed to increase participants' awareness of activities and programs available to communities. LHC's comprehensive seminars stress the importance of civic responsibility.  Our Leadership class projects have been a success in our community and the efforts of each class is truly appreciated by all and will likely endure through many generations.

The Class of 2001-2002 was the first Leadership class in Houston County.  This class project was to begin the Three Star Certification process.  Houston County has enjoyed the benefits of being a Certified Three Star community for three years thanks to the first Leadership Houston County class.

Gladys Anderson

Meredith Baggett

Linda Bratschi

Tim Cleghern

Randall French

William Miller

Web Mitchum

Kathy Parchman

Chris Pitts

Julia Presson

Dewain Pryor

Irene Rocos

Natalie Short

Kristi Spurgeon

Flo Westmoreland

The Class of 2002-2003, the 2nd Leadership class in Houston County chose Community Beautification as their class project.  Great changes were soon made to the County Courthouse yard, over sized trees removed, new landscaping was done and light fixtures were updated. 

Kay French

Dana Alexander

Darrell Allison

Bryon Cleghern

Sharon Davis

Greg Gallup

Shannon Kilgore

Sandra Leaver

Diane Lynch

Teresa Mitchell

Mary Chappell- Ricketts

Sheila Settles

Drew Taylor

Daryle Wright

The Class of 2003-2004, 3rd Leadership class in Houston County chose to create and renovate the park area around the Lime Kiln at Quarry Park.   Several workdays took place with massive amounts of trash and brush removed.   Picnic tables and benches were added.  A tour bus visited the Lime Kilns in Houston County in the Fall of 2005 after being added to the National Historical Register.

Jim Branson

Mike Davis

Pat Davis

Kenneth Douglas

Jimmy Felts

Robin Freeman

Melissa Grove

Beverly Nolen

Jill Ortago

Thomas Parchman

Andy Pitts

Kris Powell

Jennifer Robinson

Jeannie Roper

Judy Stephan

Freda Whitaker

The Class of 2004-2005, 4th Leadership class in Houston County, proves the quality leadership we have in Houston County.  They chose a project that will take long-term vision and commitment.  The class had a circa 1900's one room school house donated to them, the Houston County Board of Education has given them a place to put it at the Houston County High School, now comes the hard part...raising funds for the move, environmental concerns, structural concerns.  They continue to work and have made a lot of progress towards completing their goal! 

Phillip Baggett

Jimmy   Byars

Nancy Cobb

Melinda Deason

Patricia Felts

Ann Fielder

Yvette Gillespie

Bud Hancock

Harold Knight

Phillip Powell

Nethla Shires

Barbara Walker

Mark Warren

The Class of 2005-2006, the 5th Leadership class in Houston County, chose a project that most of the older generations in Houston County know all to well.  "88 Steps to Knowledge" was the renovation of the 88 concrete steps that lead from Main Street to the site of the old Erin High School where many of the older generation of Houston County would use going to and from gym class each day.  When you get a chance, step to the top and see the wonder work this class did...there is a bench at the top to rest before you have to come back down.

 Members are:

Rebekah Arnold

Phil Averitt

Becky Averitt

Kent Bell

Susan Bell

Larry Laxton

Jimmy Lowery

Ruth Ann Lowery

Donna McWhirter

Jonathan Miller

Mary Neilson

Lori Pendergrass

Donna Popp

Treva Richardson

Reggie Spurgeon

Ricky Stanfill

Donald Sykes

Sharon Tomlinson

The Class of 2006-2007, is the 6th Leadership class and has chosen to begin the initial phase of the Tennessee Ridge Walking Trail.  The trail is being cleared and upgraded for walking along the former railroad bed to the portion behind Tennessee Ridge City Hall.  The long range plans are to connect the Tennessee Ridge Trail to the Erin Walking Trail.  Grant applications will be filed by Tennessee Ridge. 
Members are:

Kristi L. Gant

Shannon Allison

Betsy Ligon

Cecil  Baggett

Kenneth Dunavant

DeWain Harris

Allen McCampbell

Suzanne McCampbell

John Nichols

Lajuana Parchman

Tim Riggins

David Ross

Leslie Rucker

Jeff Rye

Della Rye

Donnie Simmons

Tammy Simmons

Donna Underwood

The Class of 2007-2008, the 7th class, has been selected. They have chosen to work to educate our community and business leaders to the need for a full time position of a Director in the Chamber of Commerce.
Members are:

Rhonda Lindsey
David Smith

Robin Lyle

Jerome Parchman

Tina Manners

Ty Mitchell

Krissy Shepherd

Trish Stringfield

Cecil Stout

Angie Tabb

Doris Wilson

Brianne Wyatt

The class of 2008-2009 is the 8th class.  At this point over 100 community leaders have been involved in LHC.  The 8th class has chosen an entryway to the new Houston County Fair grounds to be their project.  The Fair grounds are not going to be completed in time for the class to fullfill their project, so they have decided to donate permanent garbage cans to be located throughout the county parks.
Members are:
Jane Johnson
Michele Crow
Chad Smith
Bennetta James
Laurie Mobley
Seth Rye
Markley Gill
Ken Wallace
Debbie Schmidt
Carol Lowe
Teresa Alsobrooks
Melinda Conwell

The class of 2009-2010 the 9th class. Michele Crow is the class leader.
This class is working to get six outdoor benches to distribute them througout our Coutny Parks.
Class members are:
Johnny Baggett
Donna Baggett
Maria Brake
Dennis Farrah
Ann Dew
Brent Fussell
Kim Phillips
Dereck Pryor
Tanya Pryor
Joe Thomas
Joyce Triplett
Julia Wallace
Donna Bailey

 Look here to find out more about our YOUTH LEADERSHIP