Leadership Moscow Graduation

Seven students will be graduating from the Leadership Moscow program Thursday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at the Best Western Plus University Inn. 
 
The mission of Leadership Moscow is to cultivate leaders in Moscow and Latah County by offering a concentrated, hands-on learning experience to enhance leadership skills while providing information related to the community. Leadership Moscow works to develop advocates for Moscow and its surrounding rural communities who will serve as future leaders.
 
Students were nominated by their business to participate in Leadership Moscow for the nine month course that began September 2016. The course ranged from learning about economic development, the city, county and state to participating in media training and finally culminating in a five minute speech with the theme, “an issue in Moscow and my proposed solution.” 
 
“After nearly a decade absence, we are thrilled to have reinstituted this leadership program,” said Jim Miller, President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Leadership Moscow Steering Committee.  “This inaugural class provided the inspiration to continue the program next year and we will look towards them as alumni to enhance the program and increase student participation to 15 students next year.”
 
Students graduating include Sarah Banks, City of Moscow assistant finance director; Tammy Bonney, White Pine Montessori owner; Casey Hanson, University of Idaho director of Corporate and Foundation Relations; Kelly Kimberling Gilder, Agency Producer for Kimberling Insurance Agency; Jim Logan, Latah County Fair and Event Center director; Sofia Marrion, Latah Realty real estate assistant and Holistic Health coach; Devin Rokyta, Moscow-Pullman Daily News city editor; and Melissa Weitz, Bearable Dentistry owner/partner.  
 
At the graduation ceremony, three individuals were also awarded the Friends of Leadership Moscow Award their service to and support of the program.  These individuals were Bill Lambert, Moscow Mayor; Paul Kimmell, Avista Corporation; and Barbara Petty, Assistant Dean of the UI College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Director of UI Extension.
 
Leadership Moscow is facilitated by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and a steering committee that includes Jenny Ford, Moscow Chamber of Commerce executive director; Jim Miller, CHS Primeland director of sales and marketing; Kim O’Neill, University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences assistant dean of development and communications; and Josh Larson, Washington State University Residence Inn sales manager.
The Moscow Chamber of Commerce's mission is to strengthen, promote, and lead the business and economic community and support the free enterprise system while preserving and enhancing the quality of life.