The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation announced its new Leadership Lauderdale Class Monday.

    The purpose of the program is to develop a diverse group of collaborative leaders who share a common vision and are committed to community service. During the 9-month course the students will learn how to use leadership skills to benefit themselves, their company and the community. The Leadership Lauderdale Class will kick off the year with a two-day retreat this month that will equip them with preliminary information they need to be successful throughout the year.

    Class members are: Jessica Anderson, Citizens National Bank, Officer Trainee; Bo Bailey, Hammack, Barry, Thaggard & May, Attorney; Bill Bethany, Regions Bank, Branch Manager; Natella Boulton, Meridian Symphony Association, Executive Director; Cedric Bradley, Meridian Community College, English Professor; Will Carpenter, Trustmark Bank, Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender; Tashea Clemons, Golden Living Center, Business Office Manager; DeShannon Davis, Ph.D., Lauderdale County Schools, Vocational Director; M’Lea Davis, Community Foundation of East Mississippi, Executive Director; Steven Dingler, Mississippi Power Company, Division Operations Manager; Mary Kate Duncan, Anderson Regional Medical Center, HIM Assistant Director; Richard Hamner, New York Life, Partner; Jason Harman, Heritage Building Corporation, Property Manager; Misty Harris, Meridian Mutual Federal Credit Union, Loan Officer; Brett Hawkins, Rush Health Systems, Meridian Surgery Center Managing Director; Russell Huntley, Citizens National Bank, Officer Trainee; Josh Ivey, 1st MS Federal Credit Union-MIS; Stephen Jackson, Glover, Young, Walton & Simmons, PLLC- Attorney; Doug McWilliams, MSU Meridian, Assistant Professor; John Morgan Mims, The Insurance Center of Meridian, Agent; Greg Nave, Novus Glass, Owner; Eugene Perry, City of Meridian, Purchasing Agent; Randy Pope, 186 ARW, MS ANG, Vice Commander; Monique Pruitt, A Nu Day Event Planning, Owner/Manager; Meredith Rea, EMBDC, PR Coordinator; Sherry Rowlett, Mississippi Development Authority, Procurement Advisor; Jennifer Taylor, Mississippi Power Company, Commercial Energy Specialist; Sharon Turcotte, Rush Health Systems, Director of Clinic Operations Medical Foundation, Inc.; Nessa Wilburn, Drury Inn & Suites, AGM; Andrea Williams, WTOK TV- News anchor.

    Leadership Lauderdale is sponsored by the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation and Meridian Public Schools. Instructors for the program include Wayne Edwards, Danielle Winningham and Abria Jamison.