Members of the Leadership Corvallis class of 2012 have completed a 10-month program focused on leadership and volunteer opportunities in the Corvallis area. Their introduction to the people and places that impact our community was designed to encourage participation on boards of non-profits, local government committees, volunteer task forces and other areas where citizen involvement can make a difference.

Throughout the year, Leadership Corvallis participants visited dozens of venues in Corvallis and Benton County and heard from leaders in the fields of education, government, health care, economic vitality, land-use planning and human services, to name just a few. The following graduates were honored at a dinner and celebration on June 7:

Mohamed Alyajouri, The Corvallis Clinic
Barbara Bessey, Linn Benton Community College
Megan Cadwell, Citizens Bank
Jenn Casey, Oregon State University College of Business
Megan Castellano, Corvallis Sports Park
Alyce Chapman, Anderson Group CPAs
Curtis Davis, Citizens Bank
Erick Edtl, Samaritan Health Services
Elizabeth Foster, Town & Country Realty
Carole Hobrock, Corvallis Country Club
Karen Hooker, OSU, Human Development and Family Sciences
David Huff, The Arts Center
Mary King, Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Amy Krahn, Fitness with Amy
Lacie LaRue, OSU Foundation
Boyd Lyon, Synnovation Works
Lauren Garcia, Heartland Humane Society
Lisa Scherf, City of Corvallis
Hans Neukomm Jr., Philomath Auto Parts
Jennifer Nutefall, OSU Libraries
Janet Preller,The Corvallis Clinic
Steve Redman, Town & Country Realty
Wendy Rudeen, Home Life, Inc.
Ron Sessions, Retired – City Planning Committee member.
Micky Shields, Benton Hospice Service
Kate Sundstrom, Samaritan Health Services
Ron Thiesen, Community Outreach, Inc.
Paul Yager, Oregon State University Academic Affairs

“On behalf of the Leadership Corvallis board of directors, I would like to congratulate the 2012 class,” said Board President Todd Washington. “They were engaged, inspired participants and I am proud to include them on the roster of Leadership Corvallis alums.”

The Leadership Corvallis board would also like to thank Corvallis City Manager Jim Patterson, Oregon State University Vice President of University Relations and Marketing Steve Clark, 2012 class graduate and Community Outreach Development Director Ron Thiesen and 2012 class graduate and Philomath Auto Parts and Neukomm Rock and Gem Gallery Owner Hans Neukomm, Jr. for speaking at the graduation, as well as event facilitators Micky Shields, Kate Sundstrom, Charlene Yager and Lacey McNeeley.

The Leadership Corvallis board of directors is pleased to announce new officers. The following directors will serve in these positions for one year, beginning July 1.

President, Curtis Wright, Corvallis enthusiast
President-elect, Mark Kalmar, administrator, Corvallis Radiology
Secretary, Stacy Mellem, policy/accreditation specialist, Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Treasurer, Kristen Gose, partner, Anderson Group CPAs

“This is the twentieth year of Leadership Corvallis. More than 500 people have gone through this program dedicated to preparing community leaders. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve, and will do my utmost to honor the commitment of all those who give so generously of their time and knowledge to help educate, engage, and inspire citizens to become involved in making our community a better place.”

Continuing board members also include Past-president Todd Washington, owner, CPR Works; Penny York, board member, Linn Benton Community College; Kavinda Arthenayake, director of university conference services, Oregon State University; Scott Jackson, undersheriff, Benton County; Anne Schuster, board of directors chair, Corvallis School District; Michelle Davis, regional network director, Oregon State University Alumni Association; Lacey McNeely, instructor, Oregon State University; and Jennifer Nitson, public relations coordinator, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

The 2012 – 2013 Leadership Corvallis class will mark our 20th anniversary, and Leadership Corvallis plans to celebrate and commemorate all year long!

The Leadership Corvallis board of directors has formed a committee, to plan, organize and implement three major events for Leadership Corvallis alumni during this special year.

If you are a Leadership Corvallis graduate or a member of the current class, you’re invited to join the committee and help make this undertaking a rousing success. For more information and to volunteer, send an email to Curtis Wright, board president-elect, at curtwright@yahoo.com by Feb. 24.

Leadership Corvallis offers area residents a chance to learn about a variety of government and non-profit agencies and businesses in Corvallis and Benton County. Upon graduation, class participants are equipped with knowledge, insight and inspiration to assume volunteer and leadership roles in the community. For more information about Leadership Corvallis, visit www.leadershipcorvallis.com.

Leadership Corvallis is now accepting applications for enrollment in the Class of 2013. This class will mark the 20th anniversary for the nonprofit dedicated to preparing community leaders.

Leadership Corvallis classes will be held for one full day each month from September through June. The program offers area residents a chance to learn about a variety of government and nonprofit agencies and businesses in Corvallis and Benton County. Community leaders help develop the curriculum and interact with participants as guest speakers and session facilitators.

Upon graduation, class participants are equipped with knowledge, insight and inspiration to assume volunteer and leadership roles in the community
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Tuition is $550, covering all costs including meals. Scholarships are available. Applications received before May 1 will receive a $50 tuition discount, and enrollment closes on May 15. For more information, visit www.leadershipcorvallis.com and click on “Applications,” or call Leadership Corvallis at (541) 757-1505.

Twenty-nine area residents have been accepted into Leadership Corvallis, a 10-month program focusing on leadership and volunteer opportunities in the Corvallis area. Presentations, site tours and panel discussions educate participants about the institutions, agencies and processes that make Corvallis work.

The second Thursday of each month, participants gather for a day-long session covering one segment of community life in Corvallis in a curriculum keyed to Vision 2020, the city’s governing planning document.
With a new theme, “The Most Beautiful College Town,” this year’s Leadership Corvallis class will also explore the myriad benefits and challenges of Corvallis’ “town and gown” atmosphere.

In addition to Corvallis/Oregon State University dynamics, the curriculum will cover a wide range of topics, including land-use planning, human services, health care, government and public services, education, economic vitality, natural resources, Corvallis culture and community leadership.

Tuition for the program, often paid by a sponsoring employer, is $550. For information on applying for the 2012-2013 Leadership Corvallis class, visit www.leadershipcorvallis.com.

The Leadership Corvallis Class of 2012 includes:

Mohamed Alyajouri, The Corvallis Clinic
Barbara Bessey, Linn Benton Community College Small Business Development Center
Megan Cadwell, Citizens Bank
Jenn Casey, OSU College of Business
Megan Castellano, Corvallis Sports Park
Alyce Chapman, Anderson Group CPAs
Curtis Davis, Citizens Bank
Erick Edtl, Samaritan Health Services
Elizabeth Foster, Town & Country Realty
Carole Hobrock, Corvallis Country Club
Laurie Holst, OSU College of Forestry
Karen Hooker, OSU, Department of Human Development and Family Science
David Huff, The Arts Center
Mary King, Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Amy Krahn, Fitness with Amy
Lacie LaRue, OSU Foundation
Boyd Lyon, Synnovation Works
Lauren Naff, Heartland Humane Society
Lisa Namba, City of Corvallis, Transportation Department
Hans Neukomm, Jr., Philomath Auto Parts
Jennifer Nutefall, OSU Libraries
Janet Preller, The Corvallis Clinic
Steve Redman, Town & Country Realty
Wendy Rudeen, Home Life, Inc.
Ron Sessions, Retired – City Planning Committee
Micky Shields, Benton Hospice Service
Kate Sundstrom, Samaritan Health Services
Ron Thiesen, Community Outreach, Inc.
Paul Yager, OSU Academics for Student Athletes

For additional information, please contact Todd Washington, Leadership Corvallis president of the board, at (541) 760-7632, or Jennifer Nitson, public relations committee chair, at 541-768-5090.