Leadership Cashiers

Written By: Stephanie Edwards - Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce | Issue: 2021/03 – March

(L-R Top Row): Jason Kimenker and Sean Cronin (L-R Bottom Row): Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning, Abby Powell and Maggie Elmer

The second class of the Leadership Cashiers development program was recognized Tuesday in a virtual graduation ceremony. Themed “Giving Back,” the session featured special guest speaker Meghan Barp, President & CEO of United Way of Greenville County, who shared her perspective on community development and the importance of collaboration.  

Irv Welling, President of program sponsor Vision Cashiers, set the stage with remarks about the value of civic responsibility. He urged the audience to “get involved, volunteer, care for others, make a difference and be a servant leader.” He then introduced Ms. Barp who spoke to the importance of community commitment.

2019 LC Alumna and active community leader Maggie Carton provided examples of successful local volunteer efforts ranging from Covid-19 response and recovery to building a Cashiers dog park. Serenity Richards of Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library invited graduates to stay involved with class colleagues and others by joining the Leadership Cashiers Alumni Network. 

Graduating 2020 class members were: Jairo Arenas, Michael Blaylock, Sean Cronin, Kathryn Davis, Helen Ellerbe, Maggie Elmer, John Garcia, Charlie Hudson, Jason Kimenker, Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning, Gary Long, Jr., Abby Powell, Kurt Pusch, Jennifer Reid Fowler, Julie Schott, Chris Stuckey, Nancy Warriner, Lindsay Heller and Jon Welch.

The Cashiers Area Chamber’s community engagement initiative is based on a development model used by many cities across the country to prepare and motivate participants to offer quality community leadership. Now in its second year, the 2020 class began with an opening retreat at Silver Run Reserve last February. Its in-person format immediately converted to online conferences and later socially-distanced gatherings about once a month.  

A  volunteer task force worked to establish the program, which the Cashiers Area Chamber underwrites and manages with the financial support of Program and Session Sponsors: Vision Cashiers, Balsam West, Dillard-Jones Builders, Eric T. Moody CPA, First Citizens Bank, Harris Custom Builders/Silver Run Reserve, High Hampton, Landmark Realty Group, Southwestern Community College, Western Carolina University and Zoller Hardware.  Other contributing investors include Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, Church of the Good Shepherd, Leadership Cashiers Alumni Network, Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley and United Community Bank. 

For more information, visit LeadershipCashiers.org, email [email protected] or call 828-743-5191. Applications may be submitted for the 2021 class online and financial sponsorships and support are appreciated.