It’s time for another Leadership Anson class.
The Anson County Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership Anson Oversight Committee is pleased to announce that recruitment is underway for the Leadership Anson Class of 2025.
The program is designed to develop future leaders who will assume roles of responsibility in the workplace or in the community. Since its beginning in 1998, the Leadership Anson program has graduated more than 400 participants. This six-month leadership program provides participants with an overview of the theories and concepts of leadership, and a knowledge of the opportunities of governmental agencies and community organizations at work in the county. Existing leaders and community volunteers are encouraged to apply.
The 2025 program will begin with an all-day retreat in January and continue every other Tuesday beginning February through June, with Graduation being held in early-June.
Leadership Anson Letter | Leadership Anson Application (pdf) | Apply ONLINE
This is what two of the 2024 graduates had to say about the program:
“Leadership Anson was an exciting and informative experience. While learning about different industries and the “ins and outs” of how the county functions, I built new relationships and learned new perspectives from others that certainly helped me grow personally and professionally”. Clifton Martin, W Cliff Martin Co., Polkton, NC
“Leadership Anson was very rewarding. It was an experience far beyond what I had even hoped for. It allowed me to see Anson County in a new light. I learned so much about its education system, government, art, history, medical resources, and so much more! The program days allowed me to grow professionally and personally as it allowed me to expand my network and brought me so many new friends, connections, and experiences.”
“Leadership Anson was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. It has helped me to become a better citizen, friend, employee, supervisor, and leader. I’m so very grateful for this experience and, most importantly, for the lasting friendships and connections I made”. Taylor Demby, Pee Dee Electric, Lilesville, NC
Anson Chamber Graduates 23rd Class of Leadership Anson
The Anson County Chamber graduated its 23rd class of community leaders on Tuesday, June 11th, as part of its Leadership Anson program. To celebrate the graduation, the class participants hosted a graduation ceremony at Twin Valley Golf Course. The evening included a buffet style meal served up by Clarence at Crisp Café; located in the Twin Valley Golf Course Club, speeches; shared memories and of course plenty of photo opportunities.
Leadership Anson, a six-month program that nurtures and engages the leadership skills of potential and current community leaders, deepens participants’ understanding of Anson County, its issues and opportunities, and encourages graduates to take active roles as stewards and advocates for positive change. Since its start in 1996, Leadership Anson has graduated more than 340 community leaders.
Graduates for 2019: Seth Allen, Pee Dee Electric; Dave Anderson, Atrium Health Anson; Brian Blalock, Waste Connections; Angela Caraway, The Caraway Foundation; Lisa Clark, Anson County Health Dept.; Ephraim Davis, Wadesboro Police Dept.; David Edwards, Town of Wadesboro; Becky Flake, Anson County Schools; Tracy Harrington, Anson County Partnership for Children; Curtis Hayes, Anson/Union Habitat for Humanity; Leigh Hill, Anson County Schools; Debbie Jarman, Anson County Schools; Jeff Kraftson, South Piedmont Community College; Paula Lear, Hornwood Inc.; Carrissima Martin, Anson County Dept. of Social Services; Lawanda McLendon, Anson County Schools; Nicole Williams, Atrium Health
About Leadership Anson
Leadership Anson is a complete learning program to develop community leaders from all walks of life. The program accomplishes this goal by giving the participants a broad base of knowledge about Anson County; developing the skills of leadership in each individual participant; creating opportunities to work with other community leaders; and building within participants a strong commitment to community service.
Anyone who is an Anson County resident or who works in the county is eligible. The selection of class participants is based on the applicants’ community interests and involvement, leadership potential, accomplishments, and the ability to assume expanded responsibility.
The Leadership Anson tuition fee is $400; the fee includes the cost for all materials, lunch each session, refreshments, and transportation for field trips. Leadership Anson scholarships may be available.
Leadership Anson has graduated 341 participants since its Charter Class in 1997.
For more information and/or an application, call 704-694-4181.
Previous Leadership Anson Classes
2018 Leadership Anson Class: Fourth row, left to right: Jeff Earleywine, South Piedmont Community College; Brandon Chewning, Wadesboro Police Department; Ricky Little, Anson County Sheriff’s Department. Third Row, left to right: Shelby Emrich, Chamber of Commerce; Renee Little, Hornwood Inc.; Rosemary Broadway, Cobb-Vantress; Olia Storz, Anson County Schools. Second Row, left to right: Ashley Benton, South Piedmont Community College; Megan Sellers, Anson County Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development. Front Row: Melanie Countee, The Dream Inn; Shirley Crowder, Anson County School; Karen Gerald, Anson County Partnership for Children; Kay Randall, Anson County Schools.
2017 Leadership Anson Class: Front Row Left to Right Shelby Emrich, Anson County Chamber of Commerce; Dale Rivers, Anson County Schools; April Watkins, South Piedmont Community College; Aimee Colf, Anson County Cooperative Extension; Jackie Rubio, Anson County Health Department; Anita Sturdivant, Hornwood, Inc.; Alexandra Harrington, Anson County Partnership for Children; Jennifer McLaurin, Anson County Schools; Pam Gathings, Anson County Schools; Scott Collier, Program Facilitator, South Piedmont Community College; Back Row: (Left to Right) Scott Rivers, Program Facilitator, South Piedmont Community College; Brian Tice, Anson County Sheriff’s Department; John Willoughby, Town of Wadesboro; Julian Swittenberg, Uptown Wadesboro Inc.; Kyle Eudy, Uwharrie Investment Advisors; Rashaun Durden, South Piedmont Community College; Josh Bricker Uwharrie Bank.
The 2016 Leadership Anson Class: Lewis Adams, Hornwood Inc.; Kevin Boswell, Anson EMS; Beth Diggs, Carolinas HealthCare System Anson; Devonne Gaddy, SPCC; Megan Garner, Anson County Government; Scott Martin, Town of Wadesboro; Matt Norris, Polkton Police Dept.; Sadie Shaver, Anson County Schools; Nicole Steagall, Anson County Schools; Adam Stegall, Hornwood Inc. and Stephanie Wilson, Carolinas HealthCare System Anson. Also pictured: Scott Collier, SPCC; Scott Rivers, SPCC and Shelby Emrich, Executive Director of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce
The Leadership Anson (LA) 2015 program enjoyed its 19th graduation ceremony on June 16th in the Community Room of Carolinas HealthCare System Anson. Front Row (l-r): Katie Ingram, Anson County Wastewater Treatment Facility; Jodi Davis, Anson County Schools/Anson New Tech High School. Second Row (l-r): David Jenkins, Anson Community Hospice/Richmond County Hospice Inc.; Caroline Goins, Anson County Partnership for Children; Rob Efird, Hornwood Inc. |
The Leadership Anson (LA) 204 program enjoyed its 17th graduation ceremony held June 11th at Welika Lake Fish House. Front Row (l-r): Megan Sellers, Anson County Partnership for Children; Jennifer Ricketts, SPCC; Tammy Henry, Anson Community Hospital; Dawn McElroy, Anson Community Hospital; Ginger McLain, SPCC; Emily Trexler, SPCC;Kari Eudy, Carolina Title Company, Inc.; Sarah Hutchinson, Anson County EMS; Burnelle Sturdivant, Anson County Jail. Back Row (l-r): O’Brian Willoughby, Hornwood, Inc.; Jason Miller, SPCC; Jeremy Taylor, Plank Road Realty; Steven Kelly, Wadesboro Police Dept. |
The Leadership Anson 2013(LA) program enjoyed its 17th graduation ceremony held June 11th at Welika Lake Fish House. Front Row (l-r): Rosezetta McCray, Anson County Partnership for Children; Sharon Dawkins, Carolinas Primary Care; Lindsay Wallace, CMH Space Flooring Products; Catherine Crandell, Anson County Arts Council; Cindi Pope, Town of Wadesboro; Jennifer Tice, Anson Community Hospital Back Row (l-r): Brian Nance, Anson County EMS; Truman Teal, API Security; Alex Sewell, Town of Wadesboro; Damer Chapman, Anson County Sheriff’s Office; Wes Stegall, Anson County EMS; Holly Mullis, Anson County Sheriff’s Office; Ashley Steele, Anson Community Hospital, Jermaine Alston (not pictured). |
The Leadership Anson Class of 2012 held graduation ceremonies at Welika Lake Fish House on June 12. Front Row (l-r): Thomasina Montgomery, Open Doors Center for Children; Lily McCray-Hailey, SunTrust Bank; Jessica Anderson, NC Cooperative Extension; Emily Jarrell, SPCC; Ashley Rivers, Hornwood, Inc.; Jennifer Tarlton, Sam K. Turner Jr., CPA Back Row (l-r): Larry Diggs, Anson County EMS; Richard Flowers, Anson County Sheriff’s Department; Subrina Hough, Sandhills Community Action Program, Inc.; Tammy McCall, Anson County Sheriff’s Department; Larry Huntley, Anson Communtiy Hospital; Michelle Hamilton, Bayada Nurses; Kristy Ratliff, Anson Community Hospital |
2011 Graduates, front row, left to right, are Andrea Cash, Pee Dee Electric; Lakeischa Tillman, Anson County Partnership for children; Brenda Huntley, Anson Community Hospital; Kelly Gaddy, Carolinas Primary Care; and Brett Blalock, Anson County EMS. Pictured back row, left to right, are Susan Poe, Valley Protein; Scott Rivers, South Piedmont Community College; Sam Jones, Wadesboro Police Department; Vivian Wallace, Anson Community Hospital; Toby Carpenter, South Piedmont Community College; Ginger Phillips, Anson County 9-1-1; and Traquita Little, Britt Insurance Agency and HOLLA! |
Class of 2010 – Gerald Cannon, Lewis McLendon, Kevin Mullis, Ryan Teal, Nichole Cox, Donna Liles, Frances Moore, Carrie Bunn, Caroline Hightower, Teresa Downer, Merri Privett and Joyce Cox |
Class of 2009 – Dusty Moser, Natalie Barbour, Melissa Garrison, Susan Thomas, Gordon Jackson, Gary Garrison, Robert Mims, Shane Drake, Joyce Burns, Jennifer Nichols, Angela Newton, Joyce Ingo. Not pictured: Holly Hammonds, Jonathan Phillips and Lillie Templeton |
CLASS OF 2008 – Tracie Boone, Bettie Broadway, Derita Cox, Christie Dutton, Tommy Jarman, Jenny Lafave, Zana Lambert, Pam Layfield, Jeanette Little, Jeff McCormick Sr., Shana Peale, Dana Roberts, Lauren Sellers and Ellen Stephens |
CLASS OF 2007 – Denise Cannon, Brenda Carpenter, Brandis Chewning, Erin Dempsey, Joy Drake, Emily Eckersley, Sharon Grooms, Saerica Hamilton, Sharon Little, Megan Martin, Shemetra Melton, Matthew Morgan, Tabatha Shields, Tony Sturdivant, Terry Swails and Annie Teal |
CLASS OF 2006 – Stephen Athens, Vance Bennett, Joel Briley, Brook Crider, Jilla Gathings, Misty Harris, Jennifer Horne, Tracy Lamonds, Melanie McLarty, Crystal McLendon, Chuck Nix, James parks, Jackie Robinson, Melody Sikes, Sylvia Tillman, Carol Tucker and Joyce Williams |
CLASS OF 2005– Crystal Bennett, J.D. Bricken, Carri Brock, Allison Cross, Anne Flynn, Anita Henry, Dawn Hildreth, Alicia Huntley, Jeania Martin, Andy Pigge, Shelia Spencer, Cindy Springer, Kim Wilson and Amanda Goodwin |
CLASS OF 2004– Lynn Burr, Theodore Carr, Stacie Cato, Lynn Edwards, Lisa Glenn, Heather Horne, Steve James, Allison Kennington, Sarah King, Terry Landis, Wes Martin, Donna McAllister, Chris Reisinger, Sherika Staton, Zac Tarlton and Robert Thomas |
CLASS OF 2003 – Tracy Baynard, Brenda Broadway, Brenda Brooks, Anne Trexler Hyatt, Bonnie Huntley, Jennifer Huntley, Charlotte King, Bobbie Little, Phyllis Lowe, Dana Maness, Crystal McIntyre, Todd Moore, John Nassef, John Ratliff, Steve Teeter and Deborah Wright |
CLASS OF 2002 – Steve Adams, Renee Bethea, Wendy Brazill, Robin Brown-Cook, Carolyn Cox, Odessa Cox, Todd Daly, Mary Beth Gaddy, Jeffrey Howe, Sylvia Jeter, Becky Jordan, Calvin Lambert, Alicia Molaro Parker, Doris Pegues, Kris Poplin, Kristi Phifer, Joy Pope, Lori Ross, Tannis Steele, Tommy Tice, Lavon Tyson and Jeff Waisner |
CLASS OF 2001 – Ann Black, Susan Bridges, Herman Byrd, Nicole Capel, Sam Cash, Onnie Gregory, Jim Kiser, Heather Thomas Lear, Beverly Livington, Donna McCormick, Michelle Meredith, Bonnie Morgan, Johnie Pettiford and Latonia Wright |
CLASS OF 2000 – Frances Bowman, Robert Burr, Tangra Carpenter, Rebecca Christian, Betty Jean Dockray, Leon Gatewood, Mitchell Hendrix, Randy Henry, Joanne Larsen, Bryan Leggett, Jennifer Privette Leggett, Ginger Nance, Steve Natoli, Gwendolyn Robinson, Helen Sellers, Drema Simpson, Debbie Smith, Johnny Townsend, Cathy Treadaway, Stephanie Williams, Jeremy Wilson and Kimberly Wilson |
CLASS OF 1999 – Collier Burns, Frances Burris, Robert Colf, Scott Dutton, Frank Hyatt, Mary Liles, Vickie Molaro, Sue Newton, Sharon Rushing, Reno Smith, Vancine Sturdivant, Jennifer Tucker Sweezy, Debbie Taylor, Ben Tillman, Lynette Wallace, Nancy Willingham and Michael Wise |
CLASS OF 1998 – Rev. Priscilla Durkin, Steve Erdmanczyk, Carolyn Gatewood, Linda Griffin, Kimberly Harrington, Tiffany Harris, Misty Haithcock, Janette Horne, Vivian Huntley, Sharon Knotts, Gaius McLendon, Chris Morton, Jamie Parker, Fannie Ratliff, Carol Smith and Myla Warfel |
CLASS OF 1997 (the charter class) – Don Adams, Benjy Brasington III, Michelle Brock, Jane Cauble, Sharon Cousar, Deborah Davis, Rosemary Greene, Michael Freeman, Ericka Johnson, Elizabeth Kersey, Antinia Marshall, Tiffany Chewning Medford, Mary Little, Keith Rhinehardt, Kandie Sparger, Ellen Hanson Vaught, Donnie Wall, Lisa White and Carol Williams |