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Class XLI

2024-2025

Presenting Sponsor:

Contact: Rachel Ligon | rligon@wacochamber.com | 210-618-7667 mobile | 254-757-5613 office

We want to see your pictures! If you post throughout the class, make sure you tag us and use #LeadershipWaco.

LinkedIn: @LeadershipWaco | Facebook: @LeadershipWaco | Instagram: @GWCLeadershipWaco

About the Program

Leadership Waco benefits Greater Waco by developing informed, connected and activated community leaders.

Purpose & Objectives

PURPOSE

Leadership Waco, a Greater Waco Chamber program, is designed to educate, empower and engage current and emerging leaders to make a difference in our community and prepare them for future leadership roles.

Participants will observe our community's realities, opportunities, and challenges. Each class day, participants will be provided opportunities to discuss what they learned with classmates with the hope that each day's content will be personally impactful.

Each class day will feature lectures, panel discussions, dialogue among speakers, on-site visits, and participant interaction with session leaders.

OBJECTIVES

Leadership Waco is an educational program with the following objectives:

  • Educate participants about Greater Waco’s history, government, economy, social issues, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Motivate participants to critically evaluate and work to improve, if necessary, current and future community processes.
  • Facilitate connections and dialogue among participants, presenters, and community stakeholders.
  • Encourage participants to actively engage in future activities that contribute to Greater Waco's growth.
Class Calendar

Class XLI 2024-2025 CALENDAR

Aug. 13th    Retreat

Sept. 17th   Regional Services Day

Oct. 15th     History Day

Nov. 19th    Economic Development Day 
Sponsored by Extraco Banks

Dec. 17th     Nonprofit Day 

 Jan. 14th    Education Day 
Sponsored by Baylor University

Feb. 18th     Leadership Development Day

Mar. 18th     Healthcare Day 

Apr. 22nd     Tourism Day
Sponsored by Carpenter & Croft, PLLC

May 20th      Visions for the Future Day

June 17th     Government Day 

June 24th     Graduation Luncheon

Daily Debrief

The debrief portion of the class aims to help participants reflect on how their Leadership Waco experience can enhance their community involvement and professional growth.

In your assigned group of three ("triad"), use the provided metaphors to discuss today's experiences. Spend 20 minutes on this conversation. Afterwards, we'll regroup, and each triad will have the opportunity to share their insights with everyone.

 

Required Activities

Required Activities

Leadership Waco participants are required to complete two outside activities from the list provided below.  Select one experience from Section I and one from Section 2. 

Upload a photo of the agenda or a selfie at the event HERE.


Section I - Civic Leadership Event

Waco City Council meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Bosque Theater at the Waco Convention Center. Agendas are posted on the City website 72 hours prior to the meeting on their website.

Planning & Zoning meet the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Bosque Theater at the Waco Convention Center.  

County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Court on the 1st floor of the McLennan County Court House.  Agendas are posted on their website the Thursday afternoon prior to the meeting.

Waco ISD School Board Meetings are held on the 4th Thursday each month at 7 p.m. at the Waco ISD Administration Building Downtown. Call Waco ISD to confirm meeting schedule at 755-9473.

Any McLennan County school board meeting qualifies for this requirement. (Midway, La Vega, China Spring, Robinson, etc.)


Section 2 - Cultural Experience - choose one of these experiences that you have not done before

Class Project

Class Project

Your Leadership Waco class is responsible for working together to complete a class project that benefits Waco.

Class projects could include:

  • Neighborhood cleanup
  • Playground Improvement at a neighborhood park or nonprofit such as Family Abuse, Talitha Koum
  • Work collectively with the City Manager or Mayor on a common project
  • Tree planting
  • Serve at a non-profit's special event
  • Special Olympics
  • Waco Cultural Arts Festival
  • Pick an organization (Mission Waco, Methodist Home) and fundraise for computer lab, playground, painting, repairs

The possibilities are endless. A family-friendly project that involves the entire family is encouraged.  

We suggest choosing a class leader to help organize the group and the project.

A plan of work for the project must be completed and turned into Rachel by the January 14th class and the project must be completed by the last class day, June 17th.

Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy

Leadership Waco consists of eleven full class days, August through June.

Participants are allowed only two absences.

Arriving to class 2 hours late or leaving 2 hours early constitutes a full day's absence.

Absent from class for more than 30 minutes constitutes a half day, unless prior approval has been given from the Leadership Waco Director.


Our Sponsors

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Class Roster

Beene,Chet

Chet Beene

Beene Wealth Management Group
Bobbitt,Kimberly

Kimberly Bobbitt

Communities in Schools
Bolton,Aryn

Aryn Bolton

Capstone Mechanical
Bradley,Rick

Rick Bradley

Haley & Olson
Bradshaw,Jacob

Jacob Bradshaw

Lee Enterprises / Waco Tribune
Brault,-Chrissy

Chrissy Brault

McLennan County
Braus,-Dominic

Dominic Braus

Carlson Law Firm
Chandler,-Jacklyn

Jacky Chandler

First National Bank of Central Texas
Chavez,-Danny

Danny Chavez

City of Waco
Contella,-Kelly

Kelly Contella

Texas State Techical College
Conelissens,-Michelle

Michelle Cornelissens

Greater Waco YMCA
Coward,-Glen

Glen Coward

CapabilitySource
Dickson,-Jake

Jake Dickson

Beard Kultgen Brophy Bostwick & Dickson, PLLC
Hancock,-Corey

Corey Hancock

TFNB Your Bank for Life
Henry,-David

David G. Henry, Sr.

Munck Wilson Mandala
Hogan,-Jacob

Jacob Hogan

Greater Waco Chamber
Kostelich,-Blu

Blu Kostelich

City of Waco
Linebaugh,-Austin

Austin Linebaugh

Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP
Lordeo,-Diego

Diego Loredo

Farmer Veteran Coalition
McCormack,-Brandal

Brandal McCormack

Oso Construction
Meadors,-Lindsay

Lindsay Meadors Waite

Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP
Montgomery,-Lauren

Lauren Montgomery

Ascension Providence
O'Brien,-Haley

Haley O'Brien

American Bank
Odajima,-Becky

Becky Odajima

Midway ISD
Overshown,-Jovan

Jovan Overshown

Baylor University
Palacios,-Lorena

Lorena Palacios

Uzin Utz North America
Peavy, Raven

Raven Peavy

JRBT
Ramirez, Abbie

Abbie Ramirez

ESC Region 12
Rosas, Krista

Krista Rosas

Extraco Banks
Rosier, April

April Rosier

Target Solutions
Schwartinsky, Craig

Craig Schwartinsky

Central National Bank
Spillers, Cody

Cody Spillers

Hello Bello
Sullivan, Brian

Brian Sullivan

Alliance Bank Central Texas
Sykora, Catia

Catia Sykora

Camille Johnson, Realtors
Tipton, Terra

Terra Tipton

Disciplined Investors
Vigil, Ramon

Ramon Vigil

Community Bank & Trust
Washington, Megan

Megan Washington

Baylor Scott and White Health
Wright, Jean

Jean Wright

Methodist Children's Home

November - Economic Development Day

Learning Objectives:

  • Exposure to broader economy (where Wacoans work)
  • Understand the definition of ED (primary sector job growth)
  • Understand the plan & strategy for the ED of the community
    (infrastructure, housing, workforce, etc.)
  • Understand who does what for business recruitment and Waco's strategic edge
Agenda and Dress Code

November 19, 2024

Economic Development Day

sponsored by LINC by Extraco Banks

Agenda coming soon.

Daily Debrief

November Triads:

  • Chrissy Brault, Ramon Vigil, Raven Peavy
  • Mark A. Ard, Sr., Austin Linebaugh, Haley O'Brien
  • Jacob Bradshaw, Jacob Hogan, Catia Sykora
  • Krista Rosas, David G. Henry, Sr., Jake Dickson
  • Chet Beene, Lorena Palacios, Danny Chavez
  • Brandal McCormack, Rick Bradley, Abbie Ramirez
  • April Rosier, Lauren Montgomery, Cody Spillers
  • Megan Washington, Brian Sullivan, Jean Wright
  • Jovan Overshown, Blu Kostelich, Jacky Chandler
  • Kelly Contella, Lindsay Meadors Waite, Dominic Braus
  • Kimberly Bobbitt, Craig Schwartinsky, Diego Loredo
  • Becky Odajima, Michelle Cornelissens, Corey Hancock
  • Terra Tipton, Aryn Bolton, Glenn Coward
Presentations
Additional Links & Resources

Attendance Policy

Leadership Waco consists of 11 full class days, August through June. 

Additional Required Activities

Class Project

October - History Day

Learning Objectives:

-gain a perspective from our history that will inform our future

-gain an awareness of your surroundings

-appreciate all of Waco's history: the good, bad, and ugly

 

Complete today's feedback form

Agenda and Dress Code

October 15, 2024

History Day - Sponsored by M. Lipsitz

Prior to class, please download the Waco History app to your phone. We will be utilizing it throughout the day.

Dress Code: Casual; ready to walk

We will be doing a lot of walking outside. Please dress for the weather (shorts are permissible; the high is forecasted to be 100 degrees!) and definitely wear shoes built for walking.

Bring a refillable water bottle and your LW journal and a pen. Since we'll be walking, consider a backpack for these items (instead of a heavy purse, ladies). We will only be on the bus for half of the day. So, you won't be able to leave your items on the bus during the latter part of the day.

Please wear your lanyard with your nametag.

7:50 - Meet at the Chamber in the Cooper Room. We will depart right at 8:00. Please be on time.

8:00 - Depart the Chamber

8:10 - Breakfast at the Mayborn Museum

8:30 - The Politics of Rocks - Dr. Joe Yelderman

9:10 - Waco History App - Dr. Stephen Sloan

9:40 - Travel to East Side tour

9:50 - Historical Walking Tour - East Side of the River - Adrienne Cain

10:50 - Travel to Oakwood Cemetery

11:00 - Tour Oakwood Cemetery - Clint Lynch

11:45 - Travel to Alico Building

12:00 - Lunch at the Alico - Presentation my Mary Lou Castillo of Casa de Castillo and Alico Team

1:30 - 1953 Tornado Presentation - Harry Harelik

2:00 - Walking Tour of West Side of the River / Waco's Downtown - Mark Firmin, JD & Bobby Horner

3:10 - Dr Pepper Hour at Cultivate 7Tweleve / Undercroft - Emily Embry

4:15 - Daily Debrief & Survey (see tab for triad assignments)

4:50 - Walk to Chamber

5:00 - Dismiss

Daily Debrief

October Triads:

  • Chrissy Brault, Jacob Hogan, Jake Dickson
  • Becky Odajima, Austin Linebaugh, Haley O'Brien
  • Brandal McCormack, Ramon Vigil, Aryn Bolton
  • Kelly Contella, Blu Kostelich, Catia Sykora
  • Kimberly Bobbitt, Mark Ard, Brian Sullivan
  • Jacob Bradshaw, Megan Washington, Diego Loredo
  • David Henry, Dominic Braus, Rick Bradley
  • Jovan Overshown, Corey Hancock, Glenn Coward
  • Terra Tipton, Craig Schwartinsky, Abbie Ramirez
  • Lauren Montgomery, Raven Peavy, Jean Wright
  • Chet Beene, Jacky Chandler
  • Michelle Cornelissens, Cody Spillers

September: Regional Services Day

Learning Objectives:

Gain understanding of the intricate web of services that support life in greater Waco.

 

Complete today's feedback form

Agenda and Dress Code

September 17, 2024

 Regional Services Day

 Dress code:  Casual/Comfortable

 Jeans are acceptable; tennis shoes are recommended.

In order to enter the jail ladies must wear pants or skirts that cover the knees and no bare shoulders.

Please no shorts today.

 

8:00                Meet at the Emergency Operations Center at 721 N. 4th St.

                        Breakfast will be served.

                        We’ll leave our cars here. Rest of the day, we’ll travel by city bus.

8:15                Travel to City of Waco DAF Water Treatment Plant

8:30                Tour DAF and Mount Carmel Water Treatment Facilities

10:30              Travel to Waco Transit – 1717 Austin Ave.

10:45              Presentation & Tour Waco Transit

11:30              Travel to Fire Station #6

11:45              Tour Fire Station and Presentation: Chief Bergerson

12:45              Travel back to EOC - 721 N. 4th St

1:00                Lunch

1:15                EOC Presentation (Ryan Dirker or Tim Jeske)

Neighborhood Presentation (Melett Harrison)

City of Waco PD (Chief Victorian)

2:20                Travel to Hwy 6 Jail - 3201 E. State Highway 6, Waco, TX 76705

2:40                Tour Bomb Squad/SWAT

3:10                Tour Jail

3:55                Travel back to EOC 

4:15                Restroom & Coffee Break

4:25                Daily Debrief in Triads

5:00                Dismiss

Daily Debrief

September Triads:

Ramon, Brian, Rick

Catia Lorena, Chet

Jovan, Austin, Dominic

Jacky, Craig, Lindsay

Cody, Raven, Brandal

Diego, Terra, Abbie

Blu, Haley, Glenn

Jean, Krista, Jacob H.

Megan, Lauren, Corey

Jake, Kelly, Chrissy

Michelle, Aryn, Kimberly

Jacob B., April, Becky

August - Orientation Retreat

Learning Objectives:

  • begin building trust-based relationships among classmates
  • learn what to expect of Leadership Waco
  • learn what Leadership Waco expects of you

 

Complete today's feedback form 

Agenda

Retreat - Eastland Lakes

 

Today’s Dress Code:  Cool/Casual/Comfortable

*closed-toe shoes required* (Crocs don’t count)

We’ll be outside in the morning, so shorts are encouraged.

 Bring a refillable water bottle and sunscreen.

 

8:00 a.m.            Gather Baylor University Challenge Course

406 Eastland Lake Dr, Waco, TX 76706

Breakfast will be served

8:15 a.m.            Class XLI Introductions 

Rachel Ligon, Director of Leadership Development, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce

9:00 a.m.            Team Building & Ropes Course

Baylor University Challenge Course Staff

12:15 p.m.           Lunch + Welcome

Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LW Presenting Sponsor

Matt Meador, President, and Kris Collins, Senior Vice President, Waco Chamber

1:15 p.m.             Improving Communication Skills Using Emotional Intelligence Training

Chip Wilson, CEO, 360 Solutions

3:15 p.m.            Break

3:30 p.m.            Leadership Waco Overview

4:15 p.m.             Daily Debrief + Survey

5:00 p.m.             Adjourn

Daily Debrief

August Triads:

Mark, Chet, Kimberly

Aryn, Rick, Jacob B.

Chrissy, Dominic, Jacky

Danny, Kelly, Michelle

Glenn, Jake, Corey

David, Jacob H., Blu

Austin, Diego, Brandal

Lindsay, Lauren, Haley

Jovan, Lorena, Rachel L.

Raven, Abbie, Krista

April, Craig, Cody

Brian, Catia, Terra

Ramon, Megan, Jean

Additional Links & Resources

The curriculum committee cannot include everything they would like for you to experience in one class day. This tab will contain some opportunities for further learning. 

-other tour ideas that you could arrange for yourself

-links to blogs, videos, books or other resources related to each day's topic

If you have suggested resources to share with the class, send them to rligon@wacochamber.com and they will be added to this tab as well.

Thank You to Our Sponsors