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Pictured: The Chamber's 2016-2017 Youth Leadership Class

​The Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce has two important programs focused on leadership development:
Leadership Haines City & Youth Leadership.

Welcome to our 2017 Leadership Haines City Class VII!

Leadership Haines City Class VII began in January 2017.  We welcome the following participants:
  • Matt Ayres, Marketing Manager, Poinciana Medical Center
  • David Bright, Lieutenant,  Polk County Sheriff’s Office
  • Julie Fife, Community Development Coordinator, Polk County Board of County Commissioners
  • Andrew Howard, Chief Operating Officer, Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center
  • Gina Lawson, Owner, Angelique Bridal Boutique
  • Russell “Rusty” Mouton, Commercial Lender – Senior Vice President, CenterState Bank
  • Joshua Plazak, Manager of Admission Office at Winter Haven Campus/Assistant Registrar, Polk State College
  • Jennifer Schroyer, Engineer III (Project Engineer), Chastain Skillman
  • Sandra Schulz, Marketing Director, Intense Ink
  • Mark Shapiro, Residential Loan Officer, Citizens Bank & Trust
  • Christopher Wilson, Environmental Specialist, CEMEX

Congratulations 2016 Leadership  Haines City
​Class VI Graduates!

The Leadership Class VI graduation was held on Thursday, September 15th!  Congratulation to our graduates:

  • Dr. Yarisa Bonet, President & Founder of Fibrofit Wellness Institute
  • Paul Garrison, Assistant Director, Ridge Career Center 
  • Tracey Guerrero, Marketing Director, Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center
  • Jeannette Grullon, M. S., Coordinator, Career Development Services, Polk State College
  • David Johnson, Assistant to the City Manager & Interim Assistant Parks & Recreation Director, City of Haines City
  • Maribel Ramirez, Member Services Coordinator, Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Fred Reilly, Attorney-Solicitor, Reilly International Law
  • Kimberly Vickery, Office Manager, Dundee Branch Citizens Bank & Trust

2016 Adult Leadership Class

Haines City Area Leadership

The Leadership Haines City Area County program brings together current and emerging leaders from Haines City and Northeast Polk, with the charge of developing a network of informed, proactive, talented and resourceful leaders to constantly improve our community’s quality of life.

Leadership participants learn about different sectors of the community (government, private, non-profit); and the issues, challenges, and opportunities that confront its current leaders and the leaders of tomorrow.

The 9-month program immerses participants in activities and discussions to increase their awareness and ability to assess current and future issues that impact or will impact Haines City, Polk County, and the State of Florida.

Eleven business leaders participated in the Chamber's inaugural adult leadership class in 2010, ten business leaders participated in the 2011 class, eleven business leaders participated in the 2012, ten business leaders participated in the 2013 Class and nine business leaders participated in the 2014 Class. Classmates emerged from the experience with strong bonds of friendship, greater knowledge about their community and a deeper awareness of the issues our public and private businesses face. 

Congratulations to Leadership Class I graduates: Casey Adams, Betsy Aycock, Brent Burish, Bobbi Freeman, Sherman Fullove, Lisa Harden, Anna Kestner, Michael Mathews, Ellen McCarter, Jenna Register and Matina Wagner. 

Congratulation to Leadership Class II graduates: Allison Beeman, Georia Davis, Carlton Deese, Sharon Knowles, Mike Pruitt, Saul Reyes, Denise Watta, Ken Sauer, Dawn Willis and Bernadette Wright. 

Congratulation to Leadership Class III graduates: Kim Edwards, Cheryl Garnett, Clettus Greene, Brian Grip, Richard Holland, Cyndi Jantomaso, Steve McConn, James Mott, Nurka Soto-Valentine, Stacy Stokes, and Auburn Taylor.

Congratulations to Leadership Class IV graduates: Kathy Jessie , Annette King,Jani Lowdell, Matt Mouncey, Marta Negron, Thomas Patrias, Anthony Tidwell, and Jonathan Evans. 

Congratulation to Leadership Class V graduates:  April Robinson, Ron Moates, Dan Cone, Nannette Martin, Patricia Spalding, Belinda Rieger, Clayton McMillan, Josh Freucht, and Debra Parker (Chair/Participant).

A Special THANK YOU to Linda Pilkington for her instrumental assistance in making the Chamber's Adult leadership and Youth Leadership programs a reality!  Linda passed away in February 2017.  We miss her dearly but her legacy of service and dedication to the Chamber and the community will endure throughout time.
See Full Photo Gallery 

Congratulations to the Chamber's 2017 Youth Leadership Graduates

The Chamber's  Annual Youth Leadership Program Graduation was held on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at the beautiful Lake Eva Event Center.   A special THANK YOU to our Youth Leadership Co-Chairs, Dr. Tim James, New Direction Academy & Stacy Stokes, CenterState Bank.  We would also like to thank our guest speaker, Deric C. Feacher, Deputy City Manager, City of Haines City.   Congratulations to our 2017 Graduates:  Cole Allen, Alaina Bowman, Shaunte Chambers, Jamal Cooper, Inez Cruz, Blake Dennis, Jocelyn Disla, Rasheed Everett, Andrea Llanos, Stephanie Moreno, Aurelio Nicolas, Danielle Reese, Desmond Richemond, Krista Sinibaldi,  Averiane Wallace,  and Andrew Washington
 
​​Thank you to the following companies for Sponsoring a Student in the Chamber's 2016 -2017 Youth Leadership Program:​

Alex and Martha Santiago
Barbara Heddon, Southern Investments Realty
CenterState Bank
City of Davenport
Duke Energy
​Florida Caribbean Distillers
Kitto Sheds & Equipment
Oak Ridge Funeral Care 
Power Transportation/Truck It Smart
Sam Killebrew 
Southern Tractor Service & Salvage, Inc.
Teresa Connell - State Farm Insurance 
Wayne T. Fellows, Inc.

A Special Thank You to:
 ​The City of Haines City & CEMEX -
Youth Leadership Program Sponsors and
Jarrett-Gordon Ford -
​Transportation Sponsor

The Chamber's 2017-2018 Youth Leadership program will begin in October 2017.  Student Sponsors enable the Chamber to present a quality leadership experience  at no cost to the students. 
​
In return for your generosity, a link to your website will be placed here and on the front page of the Chamber’s website along with recognition of your sponsorship. The link will remain on our website through September 2018.   Call the Chamber at  863-422-3751  to sponsor a student or for more information.  

2016 Youth Leadership Class &
​Education Celebration Luncheon

Youth Leadership

The Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program educates eleventh grade students about the various components that make up a healthy community. Monthly during the school year the students participate in a Leadership Experience, when they meet and interview key business and community leaders about careers in areas of Education, Business & Industry, the Judicial System, Government, Media and Culture & the Arts.

The Youth Leadership Program participants attend five day-long leadership experiences, each focusing on a particular aspect of community life. A two-day, one-night stay in Tallahassee culminates the leadership experience. Graduation is held in April at the Chamber's Edcuation Celebration Luncheon which also honors our local schools nominees for Teacher and Student Related Employees of the Year. Students, parents, school representatives, Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce representatives and other sponsoring organizations participate in orientation and graduation activities. 

Congratulations to 2016 Youth Leadership Class graduates: Courtney Commissiong, Christopher Congdon, Michelle Cordon, Guae’l Deliscar, Laura Dinh, Jaden Dixon, Lewis Fletcher, Jaydeen Ibanez, Jealine Noel, Karina Ortiz, Jason Santos, Adrian Vazquez and Je’Nya West
 
A Special THANK YOU to the program's co-chairs Dr. Tim James, New Direction Academy & Nurka Soto-Valentine, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, for making the program such a success!

Thank You To Our Sponsors 

A Special Thank You to:

The City of Haines City - Youth Leadership Program Sponsor and Jarrett-Gordon Ford - Transportation Sponsor.

Contact the Chamber to learn more about Youth Leadership, Adult Leadership or becoming a program or student sponsor - 863-422-3751.