Speaking of Business - 09 Apr 2007

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Boys And Girls Club Award - 21 Mar 2007

Buck Browning, Director of Operations at the Boys and Girls Club (and member of Leadership Washington County Class XX) accepts the Nonprofit Impact Award for 2007. Matt Weaver and Brad Sell, also pictured, are graduates of the program.

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Business Briefs - 05 Mar 2007

Sunday March 4, 2007

Leadership Washington County

Leadership Washington County, formerly Leadership Hagerstown, is accepting applications for Class XXI.

Leadership Washington County's mission is to provide additional leadership training and community immersion for those identified as accomplished in their business, nonprofit or government sectors.

More than 500 people have graduated from the program since it began in 1987.

Class size is limited and the application process is competitive.

Each year, approximately 30 people are selected to participate in the program, which begins in September with a two-day retreat and ends in June of the following year. Classes engage in a community project that is expected to leave a lasting legacy.

Those interested may request applications by calling the office of Leadership Washington County at 301-791-5807 or by e-mail at cindy@leadershipwashingtoncounty.org.

Leadership Washington County Class XX Member Natasha Arnall - 27 Feb 2007

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Beck Joins Board - 13 Feb 2007



Leadership Development

Karen Beck has joined the board of directors of Washington County Leadership Development Program Inc.

Beck, director of human resources at First Data Commercial Services, is a graduate of Leadership Washington County Class XVIII and will chair the Alumni Association committee activities.

Connect - Members In The News - 12 Feb 2007

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In Short - Hagerstown Magazine - 04 Jan 2007

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Leadership program to hold workshops for area nonprofits - 27 Nov 2006

Monday November 20, 2006
Leadership program to hold workshops for area nonprofits

The Washington County Leadership Development Program will hold a series of workshops designed for area nonprofits.
The first workshop in the series will be held on Jan. 10, 2007, at the American Red Cross building.
Entitled "The Ease (or Es) of Effective Boardsmanship," the three-hour seminar will feature guest speakers and panel discussions on major areas of interest including recruiting new board members, evaluating the work of a board and an organization's executive director, and how organizations can go about getting and keeping board members active and engaged in the mission.
"Now more than ever, nonprofits must elevate themselves to a higher standard of accountability, in terms of finances, operations and outcomes," Cindy Kalkbrenner, executive director of Leadership Washington County, said in a prepared release. "As a result, the board of directors of Leadership Washington County saw a need and began to develop a program specifically designed to help nonprofits in Washington County."
A recent survey of local nonprofits revealed there is a desire for additional training.
Many nonprofits grapple with the problem of term limitations, how to evaluate an executive director, and motivating members to do more, the release says.
The first seminar is intended to provide some very basic guidelines for building better boards.
Another seminar is planned for February 2007, when participating nonprofits will have the opportunity to meet individuals from Class XX of Leadership Washington County who would like to serve on boards.
There are more than 600 nonprofits in Washington County.

Students learning how to lead, give back - 26 Sep 2006


Published Tuesday, September 26,2006 - The Morning-Herald

A select group of Washington County students is learning leadership lessons from classic literature.

Vaughn Crowl works with 26 local students through the Student Leadership Program, which was established three years ago by the nonprofit group Leadership Washington County.

Two students from each area high school and 10 students from Hagerstown Community College meet each month.

Crowl, a professor of psychology at HCC, hopes to teach the students a sense of community spirit, and how to make decisions and settle conflicts, he said.

High school students have the opportunity to interact with their peers and adults during the class, said Chelsea Weaver, 17, a senior at South Hagerstown High School.

The hope is that the students will feel more invested in their community and return to raise their families after they finish their education, said Cindy Kalkbrenner, spokeswoman for Leadership Washington County.

The students meet at HCC every month for discussions. During one class, they will analyze leaders presented in classic literature such as "The Illiad" and films, including "Twelve Angry Men."

During the first class Sept. 14, students identified bad leaders as people who are unreliable and good leaders as people who communicate well, Weaver said.

Activities used to help build teamwork and communication are also scheduled for each month, Crowl said. Students also spend about 40 hours outside the classroom organizing a community service project. The first year, students raised more than $7,000 for families with autistic children, he said.

Leadership Washington County lists members of Class XX of 2007 - 27 Aug 2006


Published August, 27,2006 - The Herald-Mail - Money/Business

Leadership Washington County, formerly known as Leadership Hagerstown, is the core program of the Washington County Leadership Development Program Inc.

Its mission is to provide additional leadership training and community immersion for individuals identified as accomplished in their business, nonprofit or government sectors.

The program began in 1987 and has more than 500 graduates.
Graduates of the program go on to serve on boards, run for public office and take on other leadership roles in the community.

Following are the members of Leadership Washington County Class XX of 2007:

Natasha Arnall, Interior Designs of Maryland
Terri Baker, REACH Inc.
Harry Browning Jr., Boys & Girls Club of Washington County
Melinda Cannon, Washington County Health System
Sam Cool, Planet Technologies
Matthew Donegan, The Bowman Group LLP
Rodney Faith, Sovereign
Kevin Finn, Glessner Alarm
Jennifer Fleming, United Way of Washington County
Sid Gale, Antietam Health Services Inc.
Treva Ghattas, Office Suppliers Inc.
Kristi Glass, Smith Elliott Kearns & Company
Maureen Grove, Girls Incorporated of Washington County
Donna Hanlin, Washington County Public Schools
Michael Harsh, Hagerstown Community College
Kimberly Hatfield, Citicorp
Richard Haupt, Washington County Health Department
Ardyce Ketterling, Hagerstown Community College
Ryan Lampton, Susquehanna Bank
Phyllis Landry, The ARC of Washington County
John Latimer IV, Washington County Commissioners
Greg Maciulla, Callas Contractors Inc.
W. Christopher Motz, Hagerstown Business College
William Pompeii II, Associated Engineering Sciences Inc.
Darlene Reimond, Western Maryland Public Libraries
Joshua Semler, First Data
Don Shepherd Jr., Mason Dixon Council, Boy Scouts of America
Dr. Gary Sherman, Robinwood Orthopaedic Specialty Center
Barbara Spielman, Hagerstown Neighborhood Development Partnership Inc.
Kenneth Stiles, Volvo Powertrain N.A.
Elaine A. Stookey, City of Hagerstown
Kendra Wilburn, Washington County Community Action Council
Rose Wolters, Tranquillity at Fredericktown Inc.

Leaders in Business, Leaders in the Community - 15 Aug 2006


Published by The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce - Connect Newsletter - June 2006

Imagine the most inspired and dedicated business people - doctors and lawyers, teachers and preachers, bakers and bankers, writers and real estate agents - accomplished professionals from all walks of life - all in one room.

Non-profit, for profit, public and private sector representatives – all mingling and mixing, exchanging ideas, sharing expertise, thinking outside the box. A group of some thirty thoughtful people who have stepped back from their day-to-day routines to delve deeply into a discussion of issues impacting a community, their community, our community.

That’s what Leadership Washington County is about. It’s about all that and more. It’s thought-provoking, it’s meaningful. It’s about getting connected. It’s about discovery.

Participants in Leadership Washington County have a unique opportunity to explore the significant issues of the day, up close and personal. Economic development, cultural diversity, race relations, education, religion, politics, social service needs, crime and punishment. Issues and answers to the many challenges facing our society are discussed and debated.

In a very unique way, Leadership Washington County is helping to build a better, richer community by tapping into the talents, the passions and the intellectual capital of the women and men who live and work here. Helping leaders in the for-profit and not-for-profit, private and public sectors become leaders in the community. Increasing interest. Increasing involvement. Getting individuals actively engaged in the issues of the day. That’s what builds a better and stronger community. Stimulating thought and action. Encouraging creative thinking and creative problem solving is what Leadership Washington County is all about.

Leadership and learning go hand in hand. Leadership development, like learning, is a ongoing endeavor. To that end, the Washington County Leadership Development Program is expanding its offerings to the greater Hagerstown community. In addition to its flagship program (formerly known as Leadership Hagerstown), this “new” organization plans to offer a board development program designed to assist non-profit organizations, among other things. The alumni association will be redefined and retooled. Membership will carry with it additional privileges and more opportunities for ongoing involvement. An intensive community orientation for visiting and/or newly appointed CEOs is under development and the WCLDP will collaborate with the community college in enhancing its Student Leadership program as well. It is the mission of the WCLDP to serve as a conduit . . . strengthening ties and bringing people together today to build a strong community for tomorrow.

A community’s greatest assets are its people and that is certainly true here in Washington County. More times than not, you’ll find graduates of the Leadership Hagerstown program sitting on the boards of non-profits, running for office,mentoring area youth, chairing events, managing projects . . . all the while helping their organizations grow, succeed and prosper. And, more times than not, the experiences they have, the people they meet and the connections they make help make that possible.

News from Leadership Washington County - 01 Aug 2006


Published by The Technical Innovation Center - TIC Summer 2006 Newsletter

August 2006 - Leadership Washington County, one of the newest tenants at the Technical Innovation Center, welcomed the participants of Class XX at a picnic held at the Hill Top Café on the HCC campus. Thirty-three participants were selected on the basis of leadership qualities in their respective careers, and a past demonstration and ongoing commitment to the ideals of trusteeship, volunteerism, and making the community a better place. Chris Marschner, Director of the TIC, designed and developed a Powerpoint presentation for the event and provided technical support. Hosted by the Alumni Association, well over 100 participants were in attendance.

Leadership Washington County is pleased to announce that TIC tenant DH Web has been selected as the company of choice for the design and hosting of the organization’s new website. The technology-equipped Conference Room in the TIC served as the site for three local companies to present their proposals for the project. DH Web was chosen based on its knowledge of the organization, a vision for providing value added services to the clients and partners of LWC, and for its commitment to outstanding customer service.

Leadership Washington County plans CEO orientation program - 09 Jul 2006


Published Sunday, July 9, 2006 - The Herald-Mail - Finances/Computers

Leadership Washington County - formerly known as Leadership Hagerstown - hosted a summit of chief executive officers from the greater Washington County area for the purpose of getting their thoughts on developing a CEO orientation program.

The program will be designed to help acclimate new senior level executives to the Washington County area in a short period of time, according to a prepared release.

The CEO orientation program is one of four new programs to be administered by the Washington County Leadership Development Program Inc.

As yet unnamed, the orientation program will be designed to help familiarize CEOs and their spouses with Washington County and it will do so in a short period of time, the release says.

New executives will be introduced to other community leaders while learning about the benefits of living in the Hagerstown area.

The goal of the program is to help facilitate successful transitions and successful community connections.

"A CEO orientation program is a way to fast-track community involvement," Cindy Kalkbrenner, executive director of the Washington County Leadership Development Program Inc., said in the release. "Shortening an individual's learning curve about the economic, educational, civic, political and cultural structure of a community is good for business."

Under the umbrella of the newly created Washington County Leadership Development Program Inc. is the flagship program, Leadership Washington County, formerly known as Leadership Hagerstown. Initiatives under way include a student leadership program; a boardsmanship training program; the CEO orientation program and an improved program for alumni.

Ross Rhoads, former general manager of Mack Trucks and president of the board of directors for Leadership Washington County, is chairman of the committee responsible for the development of the CEO orientation program.

Other participants include: Richard W. Phoebus Sr., executive director, Hagerstown/Washington County Industrial Foundation; Jack B. Castle, president and CEO, Hagerstown Trust Co.; James P. Hamill, president and CEO, Washington County Health System Inc.; J. Brien Gaeng, president and CEO, Fidelity Bank; Brien J. Poffenberger, president, Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce; Timothy R. Troxell, executive director, Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission; Art Callaham, executive director, Greater Hagerstown Committee; Robert C. Jeffers, president, Manpower Staffing Services; and Philip Kelly, director of External Affairs, Citicorp Credit Services Inc.

Kalkbrenner to head expanded leadership program - 06 May 2006


Published Saturday, May 6, 2006 - The Herald-Mail

Cindy Kalkbrenner has been hired as executive director of an expanded Leadership Hagerstown program, according to the organization's board of advisers.

Now known as the Washington County Leadership Development Program Inc., the program has moved out of its offices at the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce and into space at Hagerstown Community College's Technical Innovation Center.

"I think leadership and learning go hand in hand," Kalkbrenner said Friday. "They get people truly involved in their community."

Most recently the director of development and community relations for the Humane Society of Washington County, Kalkbrenner, 43, is a member of the Hagerstown Rotary, a volunteer with MIHI (Many Individuals Helping Individuals) and a member of the standing committee of the Washington County Human Development Council.

"I grew up around here, but I learned so much more by being a member of the Leadership Hagerstown class," said Kalkbrenner, a 2005 graduate of the program.

In each class, participants learn about the different aspects of the county and the issues that affect it. Each class lines up speakers and experiences so what one class experiences will differ from what another class will do.

"That's what makes it so dynamic," Kalkbrenner said.

Most classes go to Annapolis for a day. The most recent class participated in a Washington County historical tour; and had an education day, a business and economic development day, and a health and human services day. Their class project had each member become certified in emergency preparedness training.

The Washington County Leadership Development Program is supported by corporate contributions and tuition. Class members pay $1,200 each, with some limited scholarships available for the nine-month course. Class size is between 30 and 35 each year.

In addition to the traditional training offered through Leadership Hagerstown - now renamed Leadership Washington County - Kalkbrenner said the program will offer a development component designed to assist members of nonprofit boards, a stronger alumni association to encourage ongoing community involvement and a community orientation for visiting or newly appointed CEOs.

The Washington County Leadership Development Program also will work with Hagerstown Community College to enhance its student leadership program.

Kalkbrenner graduated in 1980 from South Hagerstown High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and is working on a master's degree in business administration at Frostburg State University.

The Leadership Hagerstown program was created in 1987 as part of the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Since that time, more than 400 people have graduated from the program.