Left to right: Ricky Masaracchia – 2007 Leadership Tangipahoa Chairman, Glen Villalobos – Facilitator, 2007 Leadership Tangipahoa Class: Randi Matthews, Brian Gohres, Wendy Barnes, Jim McHodgkins, Samuel Richmond, Phillip Jeanfreau, Amy Edwards Harris, Melissa Stilley, Tonia Delatte Gay, Cindy Shelton, and Kelly Wells

Sixteen of the area’s new and emerging leaders recently graduated from the Leadership Tangipahoa program.  The ceremony was held May 30 at the Columbia Theater.  Maura Donahue, former Chairman for the United States Chamber of Commerce, served as the keynote speaker.  Maura is a graduate of Leadership St. Tammany.  Her presentation included praising the graduates for their accomplishments, giving examples of how the Leadership program has impacted her life, and words of wisdom for trying times.

Graduates of the 2007 Leadership Tangipahoa Class: Wendy Barnes, Dedra Fourmaux, Christy Gatlin, Tonia Gay, Carolyn Giannoble, Brian Gohres, Amy Harris, A. Philip Jeanfreau III, Mikki Martin, Randi Matthews, James McHodgkins, Jr., Lance Power, Samuel Richmond, Cindy Shelton, Melissa Stilley, and Kelly Wells

The Leadership Tangipahoa program consists of 9 monthly sessions focusing on a variety of topics. Health care to government to arts and culture and encompassed.  Students are given the opportunity to experience the inter-workings of Tangipahoa Parish.  The mission of Leadership Tangipahoa is to improve the quality of life in Tangipahoa Parish by training a diverse group of current and emerging leaders about the interrelationships of community systems.

Applications are being taken now for the Leadership Tangipahoa class of 2008.  A select group of 20 students are allowed to participate each year.  Applications may be found at: www.leadershiptangi.org.  Further information – contact Farah Lacjura – 985-549-3199