BY LORI FULTON

LEADERSHIP WASHINGTON COUNTY

Building community leaders is the premise on which Leadership Washington County (LWC) was formed more than six years ago.

Many companies have taken advantage of this worthwhile and valuable opportunity by consistently sending class members to this nine-month program. These corporations, companies, agencies and firms have all recognized the benefits derived from training their employees to become more active in the community and involved in volunteer service.

As we conclude another class year, Leadership Washington County says "thank you" to all of its current and past supporters.

The following is a diverse group that includes both large regional corporations and comparatively small social service agencies who consistently participate or send participants to LWC. No matter their size, what they all share is the willingness to invest a portion of their budget so their employees can receive premier training in all facets of life in Washington County. Ultimately, this benefits everyone in the community.

• Campbell Insurance Associates
• Citizens Bank
• Community Action Southwest
• Observer Publishing Company
• Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc.
• PNC Bank
• The Rizza Group, P.C.
• Transitional Employment Consultants (TEC)
• Washington County Chamber of Commerce
• Washington Federal
• The Washington Hospital

One of the founding sponsors, Ferro Industries, has also not only allowed their employees to participate but, when the company did not have an employee available for the class, twice generously sponsored other individuals. These individuals work for companies which were not able to find the extra money in their budget to pay for the course.

The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce holds a yearly golf outing fundraiser through which two LWC scholarships are subsequently awarded to employees of businesses in the Mon Valley.

As a result of the support from all these businesses, LWC graduated its sixth class on May 23, 2006, with a ceremony at the Holiday Inn, Meadowlands. From this graduation, the Leadership Washington alumni roster will increase to include 100 diversely-talented individuals who will continue to make an impact in Washington County.

Leadership Washington County Class Seven will kick off in August 2006. Now is the perfect time for companies throughout Washington County to take advantage of this opportunity to develop leaders to represent them in the community. If staffing is a concern, there are also opportunities to sponsor a class member, such as what Ferro Industries does.

For further information regarding the LWC program, or for an application, review the LWC website at www.leadershipwashington.com or call 724.225.3010.