Patton Leadership Holds Ninth and Final Session in Lawrence County

PIKEVILLE, KY (June 12, 2024)—The Southeast Kentucky Chamber’s Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) held its ninth and final session in Lawrence County on Thursday, June 6, 2024. The cohort has visited a different county each session, and this marks the completion of the program for the 23 participants.

The PLI Class of 2024 met at the AEP Big Sandy Power Plant in Louisa where they received a tour of the facilities and heard from External Affairs Manager, Bob Shurtleff about how the plant operates and how it can help with economic development in the region. The cohort then heard a presentation from Catrina Vargo titled "You Are Who You Are—Use It!” where she encouraged the cohort to use challenging life experiences as a pathway to greater future success. The mayor of the City of Louisa, Harold Slone, also spoke to the group about the city and its population growth in recent years, as well as leadership principles he has learned as mayor and a local business owner.

The cohort then travelled to Savage Farms Winery where they heard from owner, Keith Moore about how the business started by producing maple syrup and then pivoted to making sweet wines after an ice storm devastated his maple trees. The group also received a tour where they learned about the manufacturing process.

“The best thing to come out of PLI is learning about and meeting so many of the hardworking individuals who make East Kentucky excellent,” said Jasmine Sauceda-Izbrand, Director of Diversity, Excellence and Belonging for UPIKE and PLI Class of 2024 participant.

“The tour at the power plant filled me with childlike wonder in terms of learning where the energy that powers my lights and coffee machine comes from. Meeting the Mayor of Louisa was rewarding as this leader champions digging into necessary changes for growth and improvement in rural settings. Finally, Savage Farms left such an impression on what makes local business so special that my husband and I were excited to make another trip to the farm the same weekend.”

Patton Leadership Institute is a leadership development program of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. PLI is made up of leaders from across the Chamber’s eight-county region. Participants attend nine sessions over a nine-month period, and the curriculum weaves together topics crucial to the development of community such as education, economic development, healthcare, energy, tourism, and government. Leadership skills are integrated into each session.

Applications to join the PLI Class of 2025 will open July 2024.

For more information about the Chamber or PLI visit them online at www.sekchamber.com or call 606.432.5504.

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.
 

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