HURLOCK — The 23 participants of the 2017 Shore Leadership Class completed their nine-month program with a final Graduation Dinner on Nov. 28 at Suicide Bridge Restaurant. The class members were from Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico and Dorchester counties and represented education, nonprofits, financial services, government, agriculture and business.

During the nine month program the class learned and practiced a variety of leadership skills and visited different counties on the shore learning about agriculture, education, tourism, manufacturing, opioid epidemic and rural health, environment and legacy, and technology and workforce development.

Shore Leadership Chair, Debra Rich of Shore Bancshares, welcomed everyone to the graduation and stressed the importance of keeping in touch with fellow class members and connecting with other alumni. Incoming Chair, Jim Crowley of Easton Utilities, gave a toast to the class, congratulating them on their accomplishments and encouraging them to stay engaged with Shore Leadership by participating in alumni events.

Derek White made a presentation on behalf of the class, to highlight what each class member learned throughout the program and the impact that each of the sessions had made on their personal or professional growth. Dr. Joe Thomas, leadership facilitator, gave the graduation address highlighting the lessons reviewed during the year.

Program Sponsors this past year included: University of Maryland Shore Regional Health; Sue Simmons, Shore Bancshares, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit, F3 Tech and Bob Rich, advisor at SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, Easton.

Upcoming Shore Leadership events include the Annual Breakfast Meeting on Jan. 17 at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center and LEADS (leadership development training) at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore on March 28, 2018.

For more information about Shore Leadership or to apply to the Class of 2018 visit www.shoreleadership.org or contact info@shoreleadership.org.