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  • Leadership Glades 

     

  • About Us

  • Program Mission:

    Graduates of the Leadership Glades program gain a deep understanding of how different parts of our community work together.  They learn about public services, government, private businesses, community health resources, and social safety nets.  They also see how cultural education helps build character and supports community needs.

     

    By understanding these connections, Leadership Glades graduates become stronger leaders.  They know what resources are available in the community and how different groups work together to make our community successful.

     
    Program Learning Objectives:

    • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the economic landscape in the Glades area, including the region’s unique challenges and opportunities.
    • Explore innovative and sustainable practices that can be applied to local business and community initiatives, ensuring long-term viability for the Glades region.
    • Learn how building strong community relationships and effectively advocating for policies and initiatives support the well-being and growth of the Glades area.
    • Understand how leveraging education and technology improves the local economy and drives progress in the region.
    • Understand the history and impact of key stakeholders in the Glades and how their contributions and investments in the community have shaped its development and continue to influence its future.

     If you are interested in serving the community, committed to professional growth, and dedicated to the future of the Glades, then you are a candidate for Leadership Glades.

     

  • DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

    Click on a link below to download the 2024-2025 application or brochure. 

  • Advisory Board

  • 2024-2025
    Executive Board

  • Jim Springer

  • Jim Springer
    Executive Chair 
     

  • Kathy Rhodes

  • Kathy Rhodes
    Executive Secretary 
     

  • Jackson Autry

  • Jackson Autry
    Executive Vice- Chair
     

  • Keisha Burchell

  • Keisha Burchell
    Executive Treasurer

  •  

    Board of Directors

  • Renee Pirtle

  • Renee Pirtle
    Director 

  • Roberto Carballoso

  • Roberto Carballoso
    Director
     

  • Tyler Damone

  • Tyler Damone
    Director
     

  • Dr. Charlene Ford

  • Dr. Charlene Ford
    Director
     

  • Alisha Parenteau

  • Alishia Parenteau
    Director 

  •  

    Chamber of Commerce Advisory Members

  • Melanie Grimes

  • Melanie Grimes
     

  • Lamar Weathers

  • Lamar Weathers
     

  • Class Schedule

  • Orientation - September 18, 2024

    Business & Economy - October 16, 2024

    Business & Economy Day is designed to familiarize you with the local economic landscape in the Glades.  This day will include tours of area businesses and an opportunity to learn about the benefits as well as specific challenges of doing business in the Glades directly from the leaders within these well-established organizations.

    Wear your walking shoes as this day will provide an even balance of tours and presentations.  No jewelry or open-toed shoes will be allowed in certain facilities

    Education & Cultural Arts - November 13, 2024

    Education & Cultural Arts Day is designed to enhance your understanding of the region’s educational setting and cultural offerings.  The day will include tours and presentations of various educational and art-related facilities in the Glades and will offer opportunities to engage with local educators and artists. Presenters will cover local initiatives and programs that contribute to our community through learning and enrichment.

    Wear your walking shoes as this day will be very busy. 

    Health & Human Services - December 11, 2024

    Health & Human Services Day is designed to showcase the critical health and social service challenges and innovations within the community. This day seeks to inspire participants with knowledge and networks to improve health outcomes and enhance the delivery of human services in the region through tours and demonstrations from our local leaders and experts.

    Wear your walking shoes and outdoor-appropriate clothing. We are going to cover a lot of ground, some of which will be outside.

    Agriculture & Agribusiness - January 15, 2025

    Agriculture & Agribusiness Day is designed to better acquaint you with the leading industry in the Glades, agriculture.  On this day you will tour fields and mills, and you will meet farmers, scientists, field workers and equipment operators that can provide insight into this fascinating industry and dispel myths and misconceptions about agriculture in the Glades.  It will be loud and dirty at times, but it will most certainly be educational, fun and even inspiring.

    Break out your boots, a cap or hat and blue jeans today. We will be in the field (shoes WILL get dirty) and in the sun.

    Government & Judicial System - February 19, 2025

    Government & Judicial Systems Day is designed to expose you to the innermost workings of our county and municipal governments and the criminal justice system of the Glades.  The day may include visiting a court room to observe judicial proceedings, interactions with elected officials, meeting law enforcement officers in the Glades, observing a law enforcement training demonstration and/or touring the jail.

    No open-toed shoes or loose jewelry should be worn.

    Environment & Water Management - March 19, 2025

    Environment & Water Management Day is designed to expose you to the inner workings of the South Florida Water Management District, focusing on the importance of the District to the Everglades, the Glades communities, and the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA).  There will be several tours as well as many sit-down informational presentations.  The day may include a tour of the S5A pump station at 20-mile bend, a presentation on the history of the EAA and water management, or a native Florida wildlife presentation.

    Wear your walking shoes (no open-toed shoes) and outdoor-appropriate clothing. We are going to cover a lot of ground which will be outside.

    2-Hr Program Wrap-up - April 16, 2025

    This two hour session, held immediately following the Chamber breakfast at Lakeside Medical Center, is your opportunity to give us your honest feedback about your experiences. This information will be used by the Advisory Board and Facilitators to help continuously improve our program.

    Graduation - May 12, 2025

    First Baptist Church of Belle Glade Fellowship Hall

  • Class Alumni

  • 2023-2024 2023-2024

    Adam Avey
    Patricia Baltazar
    Jonathan Berger
    Graham Brunk
    Jessica Clasby
    Nicholas Congleton
    Raymond Coulter
    Tyler Damone
    Marteshia Dorsey
    Taneisha Edwards
    Jessica Figueroa
    William Freeman
    Rolando Gonzalez
    Natalie Harville
    Rickey Rodriguez
    Zach Threlkeld
    Mohsen Tootoonchi
    Amanda Vomero
    William Wood
    Jeanne Woodard
    Edgar Zambrano

  • 2022-2023 2022-2023

    Andraes Alexander
    Joaquin Almazan
    Bonnie Anderson
    Neil Appel
    Daniel Avila
    Andrew Barrett
    Hope Cabrera
    Kiley Damone
    Felicia Duce
    Alice Gay
    Shari Hanauer
    Cosha Jackson-Rease
    Andrea Landing
    Janice Lewis
    Erika Medellin
    Tiffany Mickens
    Alishia Parenteau
    Jim Springer
    Cheryl Stein
    David Stevens
    Lamar Weathers
    Jeffery Willis
    Khadeidra Willis
    Katia Xavier

  • 2019-2020 2019-2020

    Keith Alexander
    Myles Basore
    Adela Chamberlain
    Dennis Dzurovski
    Caroline Key
    Douglas McGlynn
    Teri Mitze
    Eduardo Moncayo
    Deidre Moss
    Sydney Owens
    Raquel Prince
    Nicole Reid
    Christopher Roker
    Teresa Ruiz
    Justin Schainuck
    Halimeh Shatara
    Eric Stevenson
    Heather Stevenson
    Anthony Tozzi
    Martha Lynn Weeks
    David Woodside
    Elizabeth Zdrodowski

  • 2018-2019 2018-2019

    Hector Arango
    Kristen Barton
    Roberto Carballoso
    Shereena Coleman
    Kerry DesRochers
    Jude Estime
    James Guererri
    Joe-Ann Hyppolite
    Annie Ifill
    Luis Lima
    Cylenthia Mann
    Amin Mohamad
    Daisy Paez
    Emory Payne
    Maria Rios
    Teresa Ruiz
    Melissa Silva
    Jernae Thomas

     

  • 2017-2018 2017-2018

    Jackson Autry
    David Basore
    Alysha Berkowitz
    Jennifer Black
    Renee Buxton
    Julia du Plooy
    Charlene Reid Ford
    April Gruendel
    Jose Gutierrez
    Kalyn Hartley
    Michael Johnson
    Jayna Key
    Clarissa Lopez
    DeAnne Martin
    LaTanya McNeal
    Javatis Midget
    Aleigh Miller
    Frankie Montalvo
    Gary Noland
    Ashley Ramos
    Kathy Rhodes
    Scott Robinson 
    Rubi Rojas
    Regina Stolpman
    Johnny Whelan
     

  • 2016-2017 2016-2017

    Sander Brooks
    Kristy Busby
    Cat Calsetta
    Mack Coleman
    Jennifer Cooper
    Stacey Copeland
    Spencer Davis
    Nael El-Hout
    Jesus Garza
    Jacqueline Guerra
    Kevin Hatfield
    Krystal Hernandez
    Patrick Kennedy
    Wesley Ledesma
    Courtney McNomee
    J. Daniel Moss
    Marcey Leshay- Moss
    Alex Ortiz
    Paige Poole
    Cory Raborn
    Alleigh Reitz
    Brad Seider
    Roy Vargas
     

  • 2015-2016 2015-2016

    Otis Browning
    Shelly Burch
    Jennifer Cameron
    Juanita Cardenas
    Jon Farner
    Ann Hartman
    Sam Haubert
    Maria Jean Jacques
    Jose Lopez
    Patrick Lucey
    Gloria McAllister
    Tatiana Messerole
    Lauren Orsenigo
    Daniel Picciolo
    Denise Taylor
    Robert Tutko
    Malcolm Wilson

     

  • 2014-2015 2014-2015

    Carmen Abercrombie
    Nick Basore
    Regina Bohlen
    Terrence Carnevalino
    Laura Cavanaugh
    Jeff Chaussee
    Jennifer Earnest
    Andy Edwards
    Johnny Gooden
    Marcos Guapo
    Alexis Hooker
    Tammy Mosley
    Lori Nolin
    Steve Nolin
    Lauren Orsenigo
    Deena Perryman
    Cristian Rodriguez
    Milagros Rodriguez
    Maninder Singh
    Matt Soud
    Barnie Walker
    Bruce Walker
    Amanda Wedgworth
    Amy Wilkins
    Jamil Yacaman
     

  • 2013-2014 2013-2014

    Mary Aguiar
    JaniceBain
    Jango Bhadha
    RyanBridger
    Eli Cano
    Brandon Carson
    Joey Cooper
    Steven Courson
    Sandy DeJean
    Dewitt Dulany
    Steve Gilliam
    Edith Henderson
    Leslie Hodges
    Kimberly Kinsey
    Marcos Montes De Oca
    Julia Petty
    Cristina Rionda
    Eric Royal
    Hardev Sandu
    Robert Schutzer
    Michael Wallace

     

  • 2012-2013 2012-2013

    Mary Adams
    Rich Angelo
    Marilu Baltazar
    Rena Borkhataria
    Tara Cardosa
    Charles Duval
    Dorothy Gilbert
    Kelly Howell
    Huanquin Lu
    Barry Moore
    Carol Rodriguez
    Beverly Scott
    Kirsten Stanley
    Michael Swindle
    Tiffiny Van Broeck

     

  • 2011-2012 2011-2012

    Leslie Baucum
    Samira Daroub
    Danny Denton
    Jennilee Dobson
    Karis Engle
    Estes Folk, IV
    Robert Gilbert
    Charles Lupo
    Edward Luty
    Robert McClary
    Dan Murphy
    Calvin Odero
    Arrie Patrick
    William Peters
    Amie Pitts
    Gerri Romero
    Patrice Schroeder
    David Stone

     

  • 2010-2011 2010-2011

    Patti Aupperlee
    Migzailie “Chay” Burrus
    Amanda Carroll
    Bobbi Lou Christmas
    Deanna Deaton
    Rebecca Deaton
    Chantel Fain
    Jermaine Ford
    Nancy Grimes
    Diana Hughes
    Elsie King
    Craig Korbly
    Devon McLean
    Becky Miller
    Roy Morgan
    Derek Orsenigo
    Shannon Sagan
    Kevin Wedgworth
    Nina Wills
    Bernard Wiseman

     

  • 2009-2010 2009-2010

    Robert Beiriger
    Andrew Bilardello
    Peggy Carpenter Brady
    Julie Bussey
    Mark Chamberlain
    Euranda Clarke
    Mike Cooney
    Debbie Cumpton
    Jake Davis
    Robert Egley
    Jeremy Fountain
    Yasmin Gama
    Sandra Gerber
    Marcia Hardney
    Shannon Letcher
    Yigang Luo
    Robert Sandt
    Stephanie Spartenbaugh
    Jorge Suarez
    Bettye Jean Thompson
    Brad Vickers
    Steve Yedinak

     

  • 2008-2009 2008-2009

    Reinaldo Alonso
    Robert Champion
    Rick Christmas
    Jack Comstock
    Jan Cook
    Laura Corry
    David Davis
    Alan Fuhrman
    Kenneth Gardner
    Sharon Glenn
    Carl Metzger
    Marsha Metzger
    Elise Pearlstine
    Claudia Perkins
    Veronica Renderos
    Eddie Lee Rhodes
    Stormi Stein
    Brittany Towell
    Larry Underwood
    Dianna Walker

     

  • 2007-2008 2007-2008

    Mike Arena
    Sharon Brown
    Tony Carnavalino
    Berkley Finley
    Natalie Gustafson
    Nikol Havranek
    Warren Jones
    Christopher Keane
    Nick Larsen
    Teresa Lopez
    Maria Majica
    Shirley Morris
    Bruce Palmer
    Tina Perales
    Joan Reddy
    Rolando Silva
    Stephanie Stein
    David Zechman

     

  • 2006-2007 2006-2007

    Sandra Alexander
    Anna Bain
    Pat Beckum
    Yvette Branch
    Patricia Copeland
    George Daniel
    Kim Daughtry
    James Devasunand
    Orlando Diaz
    Dagobert Diaz
    Timmy Kirchman
    Derrek Moore
    Donna Marie Moss
    Ron Radcliffe
    Dr. Robert Rease
    Ron Rice
    Guadalupe Sandoval
    Roy D. Smith
    Ralph Towell
    Terri Weeks
    Alan Wright

     

  • 2005-2006 2005-2006

    Debra Bowles
    Ralph Butts
    Sheila Chamberlain
    Phillip Close
    Andrew Couse
    Dr. David Dean
    Linda DePiano
    Tim Dixon
    Dianne Giammarco
    Donald How
    Shannon Johnson
    Angee Lohmann
    Lucinda Martinez
    Mabry McCray
    Amanda Nisbet
    Patricia Oram
    William Pelham
    David Rimes
    Laura Rimes
    Carlene Williams
    Diane Woods

     

  • 2004-2005 2004-2005

    Daniel Aranda
    Mark Cornett
    Lewis Graham
    Janice Groves
    Craig House
    Zunilda Jackson
    Tricia John
    Wendell Johnson
    Tommy King
    Anita Kirch
    Michael Morris
    Ernie Munter
    Steven Nisbet Jr.
    Janice Owens
    Thomas Paccione
    Annette Parchment
    Kenneth Pernezny
    Sara Phillips
    Gerald Pizzino
    Annie Russell
    Stewart Swanson
    Dr. D.M. Walker
    Javin Walker
    Carlos Zarralvqui

     

  • 2003-2004 2003-2004

    Mary Barnes
    Andrew Bennett
    Freddie Bennett
    Crispin Bottari
    Carol Boyd
    Alberto Cancia
    Rachael Chancey
    Rafael Duran Jr.
    Adrian Farinas
    Richard Godfrey
    Jeffery Goodale
    Melanie Grimes
    Joseph Guethle
    David Hefty
    Carolyn Johnson
    Joan Lee
    Ruby Magna
    Steven Nisbet
    Jennifer Perkins
    Brian Pursell
    Stacie Rimes
    Lisa Waldon
    Disney Weaver
    Jon “Tom” Werner
    Kenneth Wrenne

     

  • 2002-2003 2002-2003

    Jessie Abrams
    Melinda Baker
    Luisa Blanchard
    Billy Brewer
    Thomas Cherizard
    Tom Dodgen
    Yusimy D’Silva
    Robert Grande
    William Lala
    Kenneth Law
    Kenneth Lewis
    Douglas Manger
    Kevin Milford
    Barbara Milligan
    Tammy Moore
    Jeremy D. Polston
    Gerald Powell
    Donna Powers
    J.P. Sasser
    Bryan Sedlacek
    James Sheehan
    Stewart Stein
    Victoria Ward
    Keith Wedgworth
    J. Paul West
    Jeremy D. Williams
    Kevin Wood
    Richard Young

     

  • 2001-2002 2001-2002

    Mike Alderman
    Shari Browder
    Debra R. Buff
    Brenda Bunting
    Richard Cheek
    Susan Cox
    Chuck Davis
    Alberto DeMola
    Donna Gilmer
    Rick Gold
    Scott Jones
    Timothy Kenney
    Matt Lewis
    Carlos Marin
    Paul Miles
    Bill Mills
    Lisa Newman
    Sherida Ridgdill
    Rebeca Rionda
    Derik Royal
    Karen Schutzer
    Larry Stevens
    David Stover
    Angela Williams

     

  • 2000-2001 2000-2001

    Marilyn Burns
    Jose L. Cano
    Matt Duchrow
    Inge Ford
    Gary Frechette
    Lazaro Hernandez
    Jason Mann
    Mohamed Mansour
    Marian McGhee
    Tommy Perry
    Linda Rivera
    C.J. Royal
    Robert Trenschel
    Tony Walker
    Lionel Whitehall

     

  • 1999-2000 1999-2000

    Jeff Barwick
    Mary Blakeney
    Kay Brand
    Mali Chamness
    Steven Dobbs
    Corey Foster
    Janise Goforth
    Shirley Jarriel
    Janet Lewis
    Votis McDaniel
    John Menhennett, Jr
    Sandy Mercer
    Carla Nuemann
    Mandy Perez
    Harvey Poole, Jr.
    Angie Pope
    Richard Raid
    Chuck Roya
    Brandi Schoenfeld
    Shelton Smith
    Tricia Sweet
    Virginia Walker
    Mike Wheeler
    Corey Wilkerson 
    Kay Zaccagnino
     

  • 1998-1999 1998-1999

    Angel Armas
    Burton Ashton
    James Beno
    Ben Boynton
    Gary Burroughs
    Terri Calsetta
    Carmen Canales
    Sandra Chamblee
    David Dampier
    David Day
    Gene Faile
    Elma Hayward
    Henrietta Johnson
    Karen McDermott
    Joey Miller
    Steve Prielozny
    Cindy Raby
    Vera Robinson
    Steve Royal
    Ed Smith
    Lee Sutterfield
    Jim Teets
    Angela Thompson
    Janice Unwin
    Maude Vereen

     

  • 1997-1998 1997-1998

    Alberto Arrieta
    Gwen Asia-Williams
    Juan Baez
    Barbara Bell-Spence
    Faye Brandenburg
    Cornelius Foster
    Dr. Helen Franke
    Jorge Gutierrez
    Julia Hale
    Karen Hansford
    Denise Hatton
    Christine Howell
    Vivian Hunter
    Laurie Hurner
    Nancy Johnson
    Danielle Penuel
    Curtis Stambaugh
    Alan Sullivan
    Johnny Tellechea
    Andrea Tomasek
    Darryl Tripp
    Matt Weeks
    Mary Wilkerson

     

  • 1996-1997 1996-1997

    Jerry Barberlo
    Stephen Baumgartner
    Dennis Branch
    Maria Busbee
    Conley Campbell
    Gordon Carter
    Anita Dixon
    Andrew Drew
    Peter Gray
    Dr. Effie Grear
    Sheila Greenaway
    Marcia Grobman
    Gary Houdek
    James T. Houston, III
    Dennis Knabb
    Kathleen Krawchuk
    Fred Myers
    Gayle Prignano
    Kim Remen
    Steve Rice
    Deborah Thatcher
    Kenneth Throop
    Sonjia Williams

     

  • 1995-1996 1995-1996

    Denny Abbott
    Robert Archer
    Cindy Baez
    Amarillys Brillas
    Jose L. Calas
    Elizabeth Cayson
    Gary Crews
    Elaine Dixon
    Drew Duda
    Alfredo Fernandez
    Scott Greene
    Lomax Harrelle
    Rosa Hernandez
    Maria Horta
    Margaret Irvin
    Patrick Lynch
    Tony McCray
    Patrick McMahon
    Shelly Miller
    Charlie Napier
    Debra Palmer
    Monika Reuter
    Marion Rogers
    Douglas Royster
    Robert Stubblefield
    Juan Tellechea
    Mary Weeks
    Diana Wilson
    David Wood

     

  • 1994-1995 1994-1995

    Marta Alvarez
    Cheree Bowens
    Isabel Coonfare
    Franklin Diaz
    Hilda Edmondson
    Juel Everett
    Paul Grose
    Earlyne Harrelle
    Lewell Hughes
    Danny Jones
    Heather Love
    W. Lee Mikell
    Margarita Pinkos
    Marylou Powers
    Kenneth Ray
    Cynthia Simonds
    Teresa Sullivan
    Kelly Teets
    Eva Webb
    Kevin Williams
    Brent Woodham
    Leigh Woodham 
    Perry Yance

     

  • 1993-1994 1993-1994

    Hattie Bennett
    John Brady
    Nilwanda Brown
    Sarah Compton
    Ada Bush Conley
    Robert Culberson
    Mark Dietz
    Mike Dobrow
    Mary Kannel
    Cartheda Konchellah
    Kathy Lockhart
    Penny Lopez
    Ed Lowery
    Jeanelle Meredith
    Dick Meyer
    Harma Miller
    Henry Miller
    Tony Moore
    Dale Morris
    Donia Roberts
    Shelly Robinson
    Kenneth Schenck
    Tom Schlechter
    Rita Schoenfeld
    Patty Shackelford
    Jim Shine
    Kathy Staton
    Dale Stratford
    Alice Thompson
    Curtis Thompson
    Sharon Underwood
    Maria Wise

     

  • 1992-1993 1992-1993

    Joe Alderman
    Joseph Amato
    Cheryl Burns
    R. Keith Causseaux III
    Bryan Cross
    Gladys Givens-Barber
    Homer Hand
    Susan Harrelle
    Janet Ison
    Johnny Johnson
    Brian Lohmann
    Deborah Lundy
    Mitch McKenney
    Susie Orsenigo
    Thomas Pierson
    Phyllis Pursell
    Gene Simmons
    Janet Sprague
    Connie Tucker
    Sylvia Walters 
    Neil Whipkey

     

     

  • 1991-1992 1991-1992

    Deborah Alston-Van Sickle
    Sue Bailey
    Gene Bair
    Lester Baird
    Patricia Baird
    Cathy Coleman
    Dolly Hand
    Norman Harrison
    Craig Hartzog
    Jim Herring
    Dennis McCarthy
    Mickey MaGahee
    Barbara McMillan
    Barbara Miedema
    Mary Orsenigo
    Monika Potter
    Jorge Rivas
    Carl Siebert
    Sonny Stein
    Iris Tanner
    David Teets
    Sue Teets
    Barney Walker
    Carlene Walker
    Byron Walker
    Steve Weeks
     

  • 2024-2025
    Leadership Glades 
    Program Sponsors

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  •  

    Travel Sponsors

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  • Empowering and Informing so Together We can Achieve More.