Leadership Development
The Delta Leadership Institute, which is operated by the Delta Regional Authority, is designed to create a corps of leaders with a regional and national perspective. The first class of the institute met in 2005. The program was operated by the DRA in cooperation with Delta State University at Cleveland, Miss. In April 2006, the DRA board chose the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa to coordinate the Delta Leadership Institute.
Many of the 252 counties and parishes that make up the Delta region are characterized by high poverty, high unemployment levels, low educational attainment, a loss of skilled labor and a general lack of hope. Unable to establish development priorities, these counties and parishes have failed to keep up with counties and parishes in other areas of their states. Delta communities often lack the civic infrastructure, organizations and knowledge base necessary for sustained economic growth. Even those who are considered local leaders too often do not understand how good governance, quality infrastructure, adequate schools and quality health care services can work together to sustain growth.
These areas often are marked by a lack of investment in leadership development and strategic planning. This results in a leadership void and a lack of direction. Communities never decide on their priorities. With no leadership, vision or plans for growth, these communities continue to struggle.
The Delta Leadership Institute is designed to improve the decisions made by leaders across the region. Each of the eight governors and the federal co-chairman nominate four people per year for the program, resulting in a class of 36 Delta leaders. It is hoped that there will be a strong alumni organization. For example, after a dozen years, there would be a group of more than 400 Delta leaders with a regional perspective. These will be leaders who stay in touch with each other, sharing best practices and solutions to common problems.
It is expected that many of the graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute will go back to their communities and help lead local leadership programs, multiplying the number of people in the region who receive leadership training.
According to Dr. John L. Blackburn of the University of Alabama, an expert on leadership development: "A good community is comprised of more than one generation, embraces transcending values that esteem each citizen and creates a sense of oneness where individuals set aside personal gain, benefit or goals for the sake of the group." Please visit the Delta Leadership Institute website for more information.
Members of the 2008 class of the Delta Leadership Institute are:
Alabama
- Mayor Helenor T. Bell of Hayneville
- Frank Dobson of Monroeville
- Stacy LaShun Thomas of McIntosh
- Carol Zippert of Eutaw
Arkansas
- Fairy Armstrong of Brinkley
- Bradford Caldwell of Wynne
- Aaron Stewart of Wynne
- Cari White of Jonesboro
- Talmage Whitehead of Augusta
- Herman Williams of Little Rock
Illinois
- Sara Bond of Marion
- Bryce Cramer of Murphysboro
- Dale Fowler of Harrisburg
- Martine Jackson of Carbondale
Kentucky
- Scott Audas of Henderson
- Steven Gold of Henderson
- Kennita Roy of Benton
- Greg Terry of Bardwell
Louisiana
- Dianne Abraham of Archibald
- James Barnes of Oak Grove
- Mary Ann Newton of West Monroe
- Paul Price of Winnsboro
- Ryan Seal of Bogalusa
Mississippi
- Cedric Graham of Batesville
- Phil Hardwick of Jackson
- Cassie Sade Turnipseed of Greenville
Missouri
- Jerryl Christmas
- Steve Halter of Poplar Bluff
- Jan McElwrath of Kennett
- Ron Reed of Houston
- Scott Sattler of Cape Girardeau
Tennessee
- Bobby Goode of Weakley County
- Rick Harlow of Collierville
- Virginia Wilson of Memphis