Colleges complete 10th year of Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy

Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College recently graduated their 10th class of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy. Some participants and instructors took time out for a group photo. (From left front row): Todd Turgeon, Chelsea Green, Llewelyn Lynch, Heather Hanoski (middle row): Joseph Lavoie, Sherry Butcher-Wickstrom, Brandon Backes, James Nelson, Michelle Cook, Tricia Quale and John Ohotto. (back row): Aaron Johnston, Sam Rosenberg, Vlad Raltchevsky, Chris Maas, Matthew Barber, Jon Mills, Nate Slusar, Mike Jasper and Richard Brynteson.

July 07, 2016

Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College recently finished its 10th year of offering the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, graduating 22 more leaders into the community.

“The Leadership Academy is a powerful and rewarding experience because it gives participants the opportunity to identify and develop their own unique leadership brand,” says the colleges’ Professional & Workforce Training (PWT) Director Laura Cleveland. “The practical takeaways from each session can be immediately applied at work, home and in the community.”

Meeting six times from February through June 2016, participants earned a certificate and continuing education units (CEUs) as well as a greater understanding of how to seek out leadership roles, ways to be an effective and enduring leader and a broader perspective of key local issues facing our businesses and communities. Participants were also able to meet, network and learn from state and local elected officials and business leaders to develop their own personal and professional attributes, making each participant a better leader and increasing the region’s leadership capacity. 

“The Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy has a great tradition of helping participants learn and grow as leaders at their business and in the community,” says Peter Turok, President of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce.

Instructors from the colleges were joined by other trainers and guest speakers that included Secretary of State Steve Simon, Anoka County Commissioner Scott Schulte, Associate County Administrator Mike Roff, Mary T. Inc. founder Mary Tjosvold, Steinwall, Inc. owner and president Maureen Steinwall and representative Kyle Uphoff, State of Minnesota.

After participating in the 2016 Leadership Academy, participant comments included:

• “The program gave me great insight into my strengths and my opportunities to grow.”
• “Leadership evolves constantly and you need to as well. Find what makes you tick!”
• “Great program! Great for beginners or veterans. Everyone will take something away.”

Leadership Participants 2016

• Brandon Backes, Vista Outdoor
• Matthew Barber, BNSF
• Paul Bartel, Project for Pride in Living
• Michelle Cook, Vista Outdoor
• Chelsea Green, CNH Machine
• Heather Hanoski, Comm-Works
• Mike Jasper, Vista Outdoor
• Aaron Johnston, City of Coon Rapids
• John Jost, Central Bank
• Joseph Lavoie, Pentair
• Llewelyn Lynch, Vista Outdoor
• Chris Maas, Vista Outdoor
• Jon Mills, Vista Outdoor
• James Nelson, National Sports Center
• John Ohotto, Pentair
• Lynne Pinewski, St. Stephen Church
• Tricia Quale, Vista Outdoor
• Vlad Raltchevsky, Vista Outdoor
• Sam Rosenberg, Vista Outdoor
• Nate Slusar, Vista Outdoor
• Darin Thompson, National Sports Center
• Todd Turgeon, Vista Outdoor

The next Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy begins in February 2017 and emerging leaders are already signing up.

For more information about this and other Professional & Workforce Training (PWT) opportunities at Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College, call 763-433-1200 or visit: ProWorkTraining.com.