A new class of future Union County leaders took their first steps as part of Leadership Union County on Wednesday, March 2o.
ULead is a 10-month professional development course geared toward community development in Union County and leadership development among participants. Those who take the course have the opportunity to learn about government, health, charity and more in Union County.
Kaitlyn Rigdon, U Lead Director and Project Manager for the El Dorado Union County Chamber of Commerce said, " U Lead is a 10-month program that focuses on identifying and helping the future leaders of the community. As to where they learn leadership skills and they learn more about the community."
Rigdon said the participants greatly benefit from the program stating, "It's also great for networking for the individuals and the participants in the program. They get to meet a lot of new people and just learn a lot of new skills and a lot of new things about the community."
The 13th class includes:Monique Arron of Turning Point Arkansas
Kyle Bradley of the El Dorado Fire Department
Lauren DeFazio of Murphy USA
Ahna Edington of Edington's Events
Madyson Gafford of Murphy USA
Justin Howard of DP's Food Truck Park
Deneisa Jamerson of Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado
Abby Jones of Lanxess
Lynne Kemp of Timberlane Health and Rehab
Adrienne Lawrence of South Arkansas College
Gabby Layne of El Dorado Golf and Country Club
Tommy Lester of Perry's Funeral Home
Anaya Malone of First Financial Bank
Angela Means of the SHARE Foundation
Quan Moore of Entergy Arkansas
Jody Nations of LANXESS
Stephanie Owens of The Young Artist Studio
Kesley Smith of Evers, Cox and Gober P.L.L.C
Lon Tegels of South Arkansas Regional Hospital
Alexis Waldon of The Murphy Art District
Rachel Willis of Idel Contstruction Company
"It can be for anybody that's either lived here their whole life or they're new to the community. We have a good mixture of both in this class," Rigdon added.