Pittsboro, NC – On December 7, 2022, Chatham County honored 23 graduates of its Leadership Academy Class of 2022. Since its inception in 2002, the leadership development program has produced 381 graduates.
The Leadership Academy was developed to help employees gain the skills necessary to effectively manage their jobs while preparing them for expanded responsibilities. It is the only such program in the state where all classes are taught by county employees, many of whom are graduates of the academy. In the past few years, the program was able to also include employees of the towns and nonprofit partners serving Chatham County.
“In its twenty years of existence, the Chatham Leadership Academy has consistently provided us an opportunity to improve our best asset- our people,” said County Manager Dan LaMontagne. “I have no doubt these graduates will take the valuable skills they’ve honed back to their various departments within Chatham County, municipalities, and non-profits to do great things. I appreciate the hard work and commitment of our instructors, coordinators, and students to make this program a success.”
Each year, the classmates and instructors select an outstanding student and this year’s academy honored Mallory Peterson, who works for Chatham County’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The 2022 graduates include
Lauren Brewer, Social Services
Theresa Buchanan, Public Health
Courtney Cooper-Lewter, Manager’s Office
William Curvin, Manager’s Office
Ashley Ellington, Sheriff’s Office
Kim Garrett, Social Services
Hunter Glenn, Planning
Chance Mashburn, Elections
Lacee Monte, Aging Services
Amy Moore, Management Information Systems
Anthony Norton, Sheriff’s Office
Mallory Peterson, Parks and Recreation
Caleb Phillips, Utilities & Water
Joy Roberts, Boys and Girls Club of Central Carolina
Luisa Rojas, Sheriff’s Office
Thomas Stanifer, Management Information Systems
Peter Stephan, Tax Office
Lucian Stewart, Management Information Systems
Kennedy Strowd, Fire Marshal’s Office
Christopher Summerlin, Utilities & Water
Justin Taylor, Environmental Quality
Kaitlyn Warren, Court Services
Brittany York, Town of Siler City
The Leadership Academy program must be completed over three years, but most graduates do so in two years. Those enrolled in the supervisory track must successfully complete 106 hours of classes, including 96 hours of mandatory classes and 10 hours of electives.