Leadership Flathead Introduces Class of 2016 Graduates

Leadership Flathead recently held the Class of 2016 graduation for those participants who successfully completed the two-year program. The celebration was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell.

Jane Karas, Ph.D., president of Flathead Valley Community College, spoke to Leadership Flathead graduates about the longstanding partnership between Leadership Flathead and the college. Flathead Valley Community has been a long-time supporter of Leadership Flathead through participation of their employees as well as the use of their facilities and resources. She shared with the graduating class the importance of being involved and taking the initiative to lead in our community.

Leadership Flathead is a two-year commitment. The first year includes a launch retreat followed by monthly sessions that focus on relevant topics within the community and include leadership skill building, guest speakers, panel discussions, tours and field trips to community organizations and businesses. Expanding upon their first year education, second year class members are expected to assume a new leadership role with a community organization or engage in a community based project of their choosing.
Congratulations to the following graduates and thank you to their employers for the support of their participation in Leadership Flathead.

Leadership Flathead Class of 2016 Graduation
Class of 2016

Sean Anderson
Imagine IF Libraries

Paul Austin
Glacier National Park

Carrie Bates
North Valley Hospital

Chance Barrett
Edward Jones

Joseph Bischof
Montana Innocence Project

Katie Brien
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

Ed Brown
Park Side Financial Credit Union

Aimee Brunckhorst
City of Kalispell

Jori Bullemer
Flathead Valley Community College

Sarah Canepa
USDA Forest Service

Chris Clouse
Flathead Valley Community College

Tony Edmundson
Imagine IF Libraries

Chris Fraser
Keller Williams Realty Northwest Montana

Nancy Kimball
Kalispell Regional Medical Center (retired)

Lacy Kowalski
Glacier National Park Conservancy

Michael Longfield
City of Kalispell

Lisa Mahoney
Kalispell Regional Healthcare

Monica Medhus
Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance

Jordan Nelson
Express Employment Professionals

Jarod Nygren
City of Kalispell

Julie Otto
Weyerhauser

Bryson Pelc
Jordahl & Sliter

Brian Piercy
First Interstate Bank

Andrea Rennaker
NXGEN Payment Services

Ronalee Skees
Immanuel Lutheran Communities

Ray Steinborn
PayneWest Insurance

Jenna Svoboda
Jackola Engineering & Architecture

Laura Taylor
ABC FOX Montana

Eric Trimble
USDA Forest Service

Matt Venturini
Glacier Bank

Robyn Whalen
Kalispell Regional Healthcare

Teryn Waldenberg
Kalispell Regional Medical Center

Leadership Flathead was organized in 1990 by community members Jim Oliverson, Bill Leingang, and Kathy Hughes with the vision of creating a core of knowledgeable and skilled leaders committed to making the Flathead Valley the best it can be. Since then more than 700 individuals have completed the Leadership Flathead program, most of whom still reside in the Flathead Valley. They continue to contribute to our community through service to government committees and nonprofit organizations. For more information on Leadership Flathead visit http://www.kalispellchamber.com/leadershipflathead