Chamber announces 2010 Leadership class

This just in from BrentWord news services (OK, make that Lynn Tucker at the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber). I learned last week I had been selected to participate but only learned through this release who my classmates will be. I consider myself lucky to be included!

Participation, leadership key in selection process
BRENTWOOD -- Fifteen Brentwood leaders have been selected for the Leadership Brentwood Class of 2010. These participants represent a cross-section of the community and were selected on the basis of their past and present leadership within the community.
The class members are: Maurilio Amorim, president/owner, The A Group; Steve Dycus, senior marketing coordinator, Williamson Medical Center; David Fox, vice president, customer and technical Support, Passport Health Communications; Rod Freeman, manager/owner, Rocking R Companies; David Green, owner, David Green Communications; Mike Knotts, district director, U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn; Susan Leathers, owner/publisher, BrentWord Communications; Greg Lemon, president, Axis Accounting Systems; Dr. Dan McHugh, physician, Premier Orthopaedics; Kelli Nelson, director, HCA, Inc.; Angela Nordstrom, regional director, NIC, Inc.; Vicki Smith, senior manager, Global Communications, Nissan North America, Inc.; Anna Stotts, account manager, business development, Century II; Amy Tanksley, owner, Uncle Classic Barbershop; Liz Wilson, owner, Monarch Advisory Group.
“While their backgrounds are diverse, these 15 individuals clearly share a commonality of leadership experience that is representative of the outstanding quality of all of this year’s applicants. Their selection is a tribute to our alumni and the commitment they have made to the continued excellence of the Leadership Brentwood program,” said Chris Bosen, chair of the Steering Board.
“Two of the main objectives of Leadership Brentwood, established 20 years ago, are to foster an attitude of increased participation in the community and to promote a free exchange of ideas and concerns among the various segments of Brentwood. This class, like those before them, will be challenged both individually and as a team to embody those goals for the long-term benefit of the Brentwood community in the coming year and beyond.”
Leadership Brentwood, a program administered by the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce to identify and educate present and future leaders and integrate them into the Brentwood community, is entering its 20th year with the announcement of the Class of 2010. The program runs from August to March and consists of monthly one-day itineraries featuring panel discussions, visits to local areas of interest, question and answer sessions, and small group projects. Participants are given opportunities to enhance their own leadership skills, learn useful strategies for teamwork, and discover ways to give back to the Brentwood community.
For additional information, visit www.LeadershipBrentwood.org.

Leadership Brentwood deadline today

With only about 18 hours to spare, I submitted my Leadership Brentwood application for the Class of 2010 Wednesday afternoon. I'd love to have you as my classmate (that is, if I'm accepted. This feels a lot like applying for college -- a selective college. Only 15 will be accepted).
Entering its 20th year, Leadership Brentwood, sponsored by the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber, and its alumni have been the catalysts for many of the city's most dynamic, needed, and, yes, fun, initiatives. For instance:

• Town Center redevelopment plan: Class of 1999
• Frisbee golf course at Crockett Park: Class of 2005.
• Citizens Fire Academy: Class of 2003
• Wrote grant that resulted in Boiling Spring Academy restoration: Class of 2004.

To learn about more projects completed by past Leadership Brentwood classes, visit http://www.leadershipbrentwood.org/lead-brent/project.php.

The alumni lists reads like a Who's Who of Brentwood, though not everyone is household name. In fact, most graduates are local government, business, civic and community leaders who do their work -- and leading -- behind the scenes.

If selected, the program costs $500. (Many businesses will sponsor their employees. It never hurts to ask.) The deadline to apply is noon today. So get to it if you're interested. The application is available online at www.leadershipbrentwood.org.

Red, white and you: T-shirts on sale

Imagine a sea of red on the Fourth of July.

That's exactly what the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce hopes people will see, and be part of, this year when The Kadillacs take the Eddy Amphitheater stage for the city's biggest party.

To help celebrate Brentwood's 40th birthday, and to raise money for its Leadership Brentwood program, the chamber is selling bright red T-shirts emblazoned with their own fireworks, the Town Center clock, and the words "40 years of Civic Pride." They are $15 and available now at the chamber office, 5211 Maryland Way, Suite 1080, and the Puffy Muffin restaurant in the Hill Shopping Center. They will also be sold at all remaining Summer Concert Series events at Crockett Park. Check, cash and credit cards are accepted.

Speaking of Leadership Brentwood, 2009 chair Chris Bosen tells me, "We're expecting a large number of applicants this year and although the deadline for submissions isn't until July 2, we'll begin reviewing the applications as they come in."

An online application is available at http://www.leadershipbrentwood.org/. Hard copies can be picked up at the Chamber office ... when you stop by to buy your T-shirt!

Coming up @ BrentWord ....

Coming soon to a blog near you:

• Pictures from Pete's special night! (see previous posting)
• News on Leadership Brentwood (apply with me. We can be classmates!)
• Details on big tax rate hike! (Just joking but that will teach you to miss commission meetings when they are voting on such things)
• Forget those high school seniors, find out what Brentwood firefighter was named valedictorian of his recent training class.
• Brentwood Library's Summer Reading Program has an entertainment lineup even the Sommet Center can't compete with
• Find out what commissioners will be on what committees this year
• And learn what NASCAR driver's daughter may, or may not, be living here now.

But in the meantime, check out Jill Burgin's blog about her family's recent trip to Disneyland. Jill, a former Williamson A.M. columnist, is a must read for Brentwood moms (and dads) of any age: http://seafoodchicken.blogspot.com/2009/05/footwear-above-all.html