Twenty-six area residents have been accepted into Leadership Corvallis, a 10-month program that equips citizens to take an active role in shaping community policy. 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 daylong session covering one segment of community life in Corvallis in a curriculum keyed to Vision 2020, the city’s governing planning document.

This year’s curriculum covers 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.

The Leadership Corvallis Class of 2018 includes:

Anton Grube, The Corvallis Clinic
Brent Kaseman, Citizens Bank
Christine Mosbaugh, Benton County
Charlie Mitchell, Linn Benton Community College
Dawn Duerksen, Duerksen and Associates
Dean Codo, retired
Erica Jensen, STOVER NEYHART YEE & CO.
Hannah Agnew-Svoboda, Heartland Humane Society
Heather Doherty, Oregon State University
Jake Gibbs, Starker Forests
Jerry Duerksen, Duerksen and Associates
Kelly Hower, The Corvallis Clinic
Lisa Bilgen, Colonial Life
Lisa Marie Warren, Town and Country Realty
Marty Fulford, Town and Country Realty
Maureen Nikaido, OSU Foundation
Michael King, Suburban Christian Church
Nick Hurley, Corvallis Police Department
Nicole Jenkins, Citizens Bank
Peter Banwarth, Benton County
Rance Shaw, The Reynolds Law Firm, P.C.
Rebecca McKay Steinberg, Greenbelt Land Trust
Seth Raleigh, Umpqua Bank
Tasha Mosbrucker, Samaritan Health Services
Tish Tipping Coldwell Banker
Toni Morrison, Linn Benton Community College

Leadership Corvallis is pleased to announce new officers and its Board of Directors for 2016-2017. The following directors will serve in these positions for one year,
beginning July 1.

• President: Rebecca Badger, Assistant Director of Marketing, Oregon State University Extended Campus
• President-elect: Andrea Thornberry, Executive Director, Heartland Humane Society
• Treasurer: Kristen Gose, Partner, Anderson Group CPAs

Newly-elected to the board are Brett Jeter, Emily James and Monée Johnston. Continuing board members are Carole Hobrock, Peggy Joyce, Janelle Iverson, Laura Shields, Hans Neukomm, Pete Bober, Scott Jackson and Stacy Mellem.

Mark Kalmar, administrator for Corvallis Radiology, has been honored by Leadership Corvallis as the 13th Hans Neukomm Award winner.

A 2010 graduate of Leadership Corvallis, Kalmar is known for his involvement in community health care initiatives with an emphasis on youth development and education. Since arriving in Corvallis in 2009, Kalmar has volunteered his time with many community organizations, including Leadership Corvallis, Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, City of Corvallis Budget Commission, Future Spartans Boys’ Basketball program, and as a campaigner for Young Life.

“Mark exemplifies the quality of a leader within the Corvallis community,” said Leadership Corvallis president Carole Hobrock. “He’s been an integral part of the philanthropic community for many years, and his service continues to make the Corvallis area a great place. He is generous with his time and in sharing his talents to strengthen our community.”

Established in 2004, the Hans Neukomm Award is named for the founder of Leadership Corvallis. Neukomm, who passed away in 2011, envisioned Leadership Corvallis as a way to give participants a better understanding of how our community functions so they can be more effective in the workplace and community.

The award is given each year to a past class member who has made a significant impact through service to the community. In addition to Higgins, prior recipients include: Julie Manning, the late Scott Zimbrick, Pete Bober, Susan Poole, Biff Traber, Penny York, Kavinda Arthenayake, David Hamby, Ben Danley, Rick DeBellis and Mike Corwin.

Leadership Corvallis was created in 1992 to identify Corvallis’ and Benton County’s “best and brightest” citizens and offer a 10-month program that equips them to provide leadership within their community. An advisory board comprising community leaders helps develop topics and interacts with participants as guest speakers and session facilitators.

For more information about the Hans Neukomm Award, or to nominate a candidate, click here.

The Leadership Corvallis Board of Directors would like to thank the following people for their help with Natural Resources Day:

Hosts and presenters: Annabelle Jaramillo, Benton County Commissioner; Megan Magnuson, Katie Chambers and John “JR” Reese at Stahlbush Island Farms; John Eveland at Gathering Together Farm; Jennifer Ward and Jon Boyd with Corvallis Public Works, Mark Miller at Trout Mountain Forestry and Karen Fleck Harding at the Corvallis Forest; Jeff Clawson and Robin Frojen at the OSU Food Science & Technology Pilot Plant.

A fabulous lunch was provided by Chef JC and his crew at the Gathering Together Farm Stand Cafe.

The day facilitation team included: Xan Augerot, Theresa Gibney, Maggie Livesay with OSU Extension, Jackie Rochefort at Corvallis Parks & Recreation and Donna Schmitz with Benton Soil & Water Conservation District.

Special thanks to Brett Jeter, Leadership Corvallis Day Host stand-in, for making everything go so smoothly!

Carole Hobrock, Leadership Corvallis Board President