Participants in the 2013-14 Leadership Austin were introduced to the program, area leaders, and their peers at a social event on Aug. 15 at the Izaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park.

Twenty-five people were selected for this year’s program, which is designed to educate, connect and motivate emerging leaders in our community.

More than 150 people have graduated from Leadership Austin since it was established in 2006.

The nine-month program provides an overview of major aspects of the community, including business, education, agriculture, government, quality of life, law enforcement, and health and human services. Participants tour a variety of sites and are introduced to scores of community leaders in the process.

Leadership Austin is organized by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Riverland Community College. Mel Gilbertson, Senior VP of Operations at Quality Pork Processors, and Barry Irish, President of Sterling State Bank, serve as year leaders for the program.

Topic, Day Leaders

Sept. 12: Community Leadership & You, Peggy Young, facilitator

Oct. 10: Education, Supt. David Krenz and Dr. Adenuga Atewologun

Nov. 14: Quality of Life and Diversity, Bonnie

Dec. 12: Government, Jim Hurm

Jan. 9: Business and Economic Development, John Garry

Feb. 13: Community Health, Tami Yoiel and Lisa Kocer

March 13: Criminal Justice, Lt. John Mueller

April 10: Agriculture and Agribusiness, Paul Baessler and Gary Thome

May 8: Graduation Presentations, Peggy Young

This year’s Leadership Austin class includes::

· Nathan Finney, Member Services Manager at Accentra Credit Union;

· Jana Gray, Sales & Operations Manager, Austin Daily Herald;

· Travis Heickley, Detective, Austin Police Department;

· Courtney Wyant, Adult Services Librarian, Austin Public Library;

· Jason Senne, Principal-Ellis Middle School;

· David Wolff, District Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Education, Austin Public Schools;

· Thomas Tylutki, Director Electric Distribution, Austin Utilities;

· Justin Hanson, Resource Specialist, Cedar River Watershed District/Mower Soil & Water Conservation;

· Taggert Medgaarden, Management Services Director, Cedar Valley Services, Inc.

· James Heilman, CPA-Manager, CliftonLarsonAllen;

· Leah Ferch, Marketing Manager, Cooperative Response Center;

· Douglas Nuckolls, Senior Vice President, First Farmers & Merchants State Bank;

· Corey Anderson, Manager, Games People Play;

· Brigitte Rowe-Hansen Campbell, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity-Freeborn/Mower;

· Brett Harris, Product Manager, Hormel Foods Corp.;

· Daniel Zielke, Production Supervisor, Hormel Foods;

· Jana Haynes, Director of Taxes, Hormel Foods;

· Brian Andrews, Senior Scientist, Hormel Foods;

· Nakayla Majeski, Recruiter, MCHS-Austin;

· Aaron Johnson, Manager-Mayo Clinic Store;

· Tricia Browning, Primary Care Clinic Manager, MCHS;

· Melissa Barr, Pharmacy Manager, MCHS;

· David Drommerhausen, Controller, Quality Pork Processors;

· Lindsey Haney, owner, The Style Lounge;

· Dora Martinez, Advocacy & Client Services Coordinator, the Welcome Center.