Leadership Austin will open its 13th year with a social gathering at the Ike’s Cabin in Todd Park, Aug. 23.

A class of 30 people, the largest ever, has been confirmed for the nine-month program.

Ensuing program days provide participants with a series of tours and presentations, covering  major aspects of our community, including education, quality of life and diversity, government, business and industry, community health services, public safety, and agriculture and agribusiness.

Leadership Austin is organized by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Riverland Community College.

The program is designed as an educational opportunity that  enables participants to learn about this area’s resources, values, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges.

This year’s cohort includes:

· Justin Akkerman, Operations Manager at Akkerman, Inc.;

· Brian Beasley, Director of Facilities and Services at Austin Public Schools;

· Allix Braun, Training Manager, Hormel Foods Corp.;

· Josh Diaz, Owner and Manager of Piggy Blues Bar-B-Que;

· Shane Distad, Assistant Manager, US Bank;

· Brenna Gerhart, Development Associate at the Hormel Institute;

· Jayne Gibson, Director, Austin Aspires;

· Hans Gilbert, Engineer/Fire Prevention Specialist, Austin Fire Department;

· Ryan Gillespie, Mortgage Banker at Bremer Bank;

· Jennifer Gumbel, Associate Attorney, Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLC;

· Elaine Hansen, Senior Development Coordinator, Gerard Academy;

· Sarah Hartman, Client Services, Smart-Fill;

· Lorri Hultgren, Nurse Manager, Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea & Austin;

· Idjidina Herve, Social Service Coordinator at The Welcome Center;

· Theresa Jacobs, Administrator Services Director at Gerard Academy;

· Eric Jacobson, Brand Manager, Hormel Foods Corp.;

· Jeremiah Johnson, Manager of Regulatory Compliance, Food Safety & Sanitation, Hormel Foods Corp.;

· Bonnie Kilpatrick, CSR/Teller, First Farmers & Merchants Bank;

· Kathryn Leidal, Public Affairs Specialist, Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea & Austin;

· Jessica Lind, Youth Librarian, Austin Public Library;

· Chelsey Lustig, General Manager at the Holiday Inn & Austin Conference Center;

· Jeffrey Morrison, Design Engineer for Hormel Foods Corp.;

· Dawn Mueller, Parenting Resource Center;

· Kristen Olson, Library Assistant, Austin Public Library;

· Bradley Pilcher, Heartman Insurance Agent;

· Mark Raymond, Director of Human Resources for Austin Public Schools;

· Tara Scott, Director of Business and Facilities, Pacelli Catholic Schools;

· Brant Strouf, Detective, Austin Police Dept.;

· Scott Swelland, General Manager at Austin Ford Chrysler;

· Hannah Yang, Reporter, Austin Daily Herald