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.