Patton Leadership Institute Class of 2025 Holds Second Session in Magoffin County

PIKEVILLE, KY (November 11, 2024) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) held its second session for the Class of 2025 in Magoffin County on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The cohort visits a different county for each session. PLI will visit Martin County on December 5, 2024.

The Class of 2025 met at the Magoffin County Health Department where they heard from Health Department Director Dr. Pete Shepherd about the various harm reduction programs the county offers to residents, as well as how Magoffin County has changed over the years.  Economic Director Jimmy Salyer spoke on the county’s efforts to attract businesses into the region and adventure tourism.  Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matthew Wireman gave a presentation on the history of Magoffin County and how leadership is the power of influence.  Peoples Bank Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager and PLI Class of 2024 participant, Cody Prater, spoke on his experience in PLI and how it helped him grow as a leader.

Lunch was generously provided by Peoples Bank.

The cohort then travelled the Magoffin County Historical Society where President Todd Preston showed participants his handmade hunting equipment and led them on a tour of the Pioneer Village. Historic log cabins from across the region have been carefully disassembled, relocated, and reconstructed here, preserving a slice of the past for generations to enjoy. Todd Preston, along with a dedicated team of history enthusiasts, meticulously sought out, dismantled, transported, and reassembled each cabin by hand. During their visit, PLI participants had the unique opportunity to explore a variety of preserved structures, including an old post office, a workshop, living quarters, and even a one-room schoolhouse. Each building has been beautifully restored and staged as if it were still in use.
 
“Our first two sessions with the Patton Leadership Institute have been inspiring for me as a leader and as an East Kentuckian,” said Stacie Taylor, Executive Director of Program Management for Pikeville Medical Center and participant in PLI Class of 2025. “I have gained new insight into meaningful work throughout our region, and I am grateful to network with so many leaders who have the best interests of our communities at heart. I look forward to learning even more and putting that knowledge to work in my organization and community.”
 
"We're incredibly grateful to our speakers, our hosts, and Peoples Bank for providing lunch for the Patton Leadership Institute's Class of 2025," said Katie Belt of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber. "It's inspiring to see this year's class come together, and we can’t wait to see the growth and achievements that lie ahead in the rest of the program!"
 
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.
 
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.