EASTON — Leadership Maryland has announced its Executive Program’s Class of 2024 and it includes Lower Shore representation among the 52 participants from across the state with two connected to Somerset County institutions:

• Victoria L. Miele, supervisor of public relations ad public information officer for Somerset County Public Schools; and
• Tara A. Owens, vice president of athletics and recreation at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Also taking part are Pam Gregory, president and chief executive officer of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore; Dr. Maarten L. Pereboom, dean of the Fulton School of Liberal Arts at Salisbury University; and Sonya A. Whited, senior director of product and innovation at Perdue Farms.

The Class of 2024 is the Executive Program’s 31st class and will run from April to December. It includes five, two-day sessions focused on Maryland’s five main geographic regions and the most vital issues impacting economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multi-culturalism/diversity across the state.

More than 100 experts representing Maryland’s business, government, education, and non-profit communities will serve as panelists and guest speakers.

David Fike, a Class of 2016 member and now president and CEO, said, “This year’s class selection process was competitive” with over 100 applications, and those chosen “have the desire to make a broader impact within our state. The knowledge, experience, and connections they will gain in our program will prepare them to do just that.”

Lower Shore members of the recently completed Class of 2023 included Somerset County residents Danny Thompson of Princess Anne, executive director of Somerset County Economic Development; and John N. Hickman, of Pocomoke, director of Salisbury University's Business, Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON).