NEWS RELEASE

The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce held the 12th Leadership Indian River County graduation dinner on July 24, 2018 with twenty-two individuals completing the 2018 program.

The Chamber began Leadership Indian River County in 2006 and have since graduated 248 individuals. Former graduates have been inspired to open their own businesses, taken leadership positions in their companies and local organizations, and have been elected to public office. TD Bank sponsored the graduation program. Guest speaker for the graduation was Sue Tompkins, Reilly, Rollando and Tompkins Wealth Management Group. Ms. Tompkins spoke to the group about making a difference in our community and how we can make Indian River County special to us. She shared her personal testimony of how she first started getting involved and also how she was inspired by pioneers like Dan Richardson and Alma Lee Loy.

The 2018 Leadership Indian River County graduates are: Yamilet Cendejas, Indian River Community Foundation; Jan Demko, A Mew With a View & Rocket’s Kitty Cafe of the Treasure Coast ; Bill Douglass, The Web Wise Guys; Matthew Glembocki, Indian River State College; Sam Hjalmeby, Samuel Construction Group; Alex MacWilliam IV, Alex MacWilliam Real Estate; Ryan McLean, MBV Engineering; Cristen McMillan Maddux, School District of Indian River County; Mary Helen Moore, TC Palm/ Press Journal; Danielle Negherbon, Schlitt Services; Kerry Osborne, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort; Theo Perry Jr., National Bank of Commerce; Michele Peters, Childcare Resources of Indian River; Steve Schwartz, PD/go! Digital Marketing; Tracey Segal, United Way of Indian River County; Greg Sims, Piper Aircraft; Aaron Stanton, MBV Engineering; Molly Steinwald, Environmental Learning Center; Tim Straley, Vero Beach Country Club; Ann Marie Suriano, Indian River County Hospital District; Caryn M. Toole, Connected for Kids; and Carrie William, Gifford Youth Achievement Center.

Leadership Indian River County is a 7-month long community leadership program offered by Chamber. The program is based on a model that incorporates nourishing and developing community leaders by building community knowledge and gaining an understanding of community stewardship. The program brings focus on variety of social, economic, and geographic issues.

The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce will accept applications for the 2019 Leadership Indian River County class now through November 2018. A new class will be named in December. Scholarships are available. The class begins in January of 2019 and runs through July with one day long session each month. For additional information and an application contact Emma White, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce 772-567-3491 or leaderhip@indianriverchamber.com.