Developing regional leaders is the focus of South GeorgiaLEADS. An eight-month professional development program, South GeorgiaLEADS seeks to create networking and community awareness opportunities for leaders within various professions.
The 31 members within the 2020-2021 South GeorgiaLEADS class represent 14 counties and a diverse professional-base, including non-profits, K-12 and post-secondary education, local government, financial institutions, utility companies, fashion industry, and more.
In-depth classes are designed to provide an innovative and engaging environment to discuss challenges that impact the region with topics of importance to South Georgia’s future growth and success.
The 2020-2021 South GeorgiaLEADS class is as follows:
Ben Hill County
Melissa Dark, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Chamber of Commerce
Colquitt County
Sarah Adams, UGA Archway Partnership
Justin Cox, Colquitt County Board of Commissioners
Jordan Hammack, Colquitt Regional Medical Center
Caroline Horne, United Way of Colquitt County
Summer Richmond, Ameris Bank
Cook County
Heather Green, Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce
Chris Posey, ANS Signs, Inc.
Crisp County
Rusty Slade, Planters First Bank
Dougherty County
Chris Hatcher, Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy
Bridges Sinyard, Adams Exterminators
Tom Sullivan, Phoebe Putney Health Systems
Grady County
Whitney Brannen, UGA Archway Partnership
Lee County
Joey Magaddino, People South Bank
Lowndes County
A.C. Braswell, City of Valdosta
Joe Brownlee, Georgia Power Company
Jessica Catlett, Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation
Michael Smith, Greater Valdosta United Way
Merritt Wall, Valdosta State University
Mitchell County
Vance Green, Planters and Citizens Bank
Randolph County
Kayla Wall, UGA Extension-Quitman County
Sumter County
Elena Carne, T31 Handcrafted Activewear
Edward Jackson, New Horizons Habitat for Humanity
Darrell Sabbs, Barnum Funeral Home
Jessica Sinclair, Sumter County Family Connections
Stephen Snyder, Georgia Southwestern State University
Thomas County
Chandler Foy, New Hire Solutions
Tift County
Sara Hand, ABAC Museum of Agriculture
Eric Larson, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Tom Mark, Tom Mark Diversified Enterprises
Katie Murray, University of Georgia-Tifton Campus
Worth County
Donald Gilman, Ignite College & Career Academy