Leadership Hernando has been a vital part of our community for the past 16 years. Since its inception in 1991, over 328 distinguished leaders have graduated from the Program. Many of our community leaders today are Leadership Graduates and Alumni.

Leadership Hernando was started in 1991 after much research into the benefits of the program. Hernando County had just formed one Chamber and was looking to unite the leaders in the community.

The first class was put together after visiting surrounding counties that had an ongoing program and talking to the representatives who ran Leadership Florida. Many volunteers helped in the formation of the program. The first class had 22 members who were chosen from applications. At that time, only one type of business could be represented.

When the program was started, it was the goal of the Chamber to select board members from graduates of Leadership Hernando. As of today, many board members are graduates of the program and enhance the credibility of the board with their knowledge of the County. Over the years each class has had a specific community project that they chose and it has benefited many non-profit organizations. They have ranged from starting Teen Leadership to raising funds for the Special Olympics. Many of our community leaders today went through the program and later had their key employees attend the program.

The founders of Leadership Hernando shared at least two things in common. First, they understood that the future of this region was closely tied to the commitment and expertise of its next generation of leaders. Second, they wanted to ensure that the quality of responses made by future leaders to a wide array of complex social and economic issues in the Greater Hernando region would be vigorous, well-informed and responsible. Those of us who follow them in leading the organization share their commitment and look forward to guiding Leadership Hernando's strategic direction for the 21st Century.

The mission of Leadership Hernando is to encourage, develop and provide leadership for our community.

To enhance our quality of life and to help make Hernando County a preferred community to live and work in.

GOALS
1. To identify and educate potential, emerging and existing community leaders.
2. To promote networking among membership.
3. To identify community needs and to promote and facilitate community projects.
4. To provide a resource pool for the benefit of the community.

CLASS SELECTION
Leadership Hernando targets individuals:

• With a sincere commitment, motivation and interest to serve the community.
• Who have demonstrated commitment by past community activities.
• Who are interested in seeking, or intend to seek, public office, boards, commissions or key volunteer roles.
• With potential opportunities for advancement to top leadership positions within their organizations.
• With the occupation commitment to remain in the Hernando area or are not likely to be transferred within the immediate future.
• Representing all segments of the community.
• With demonstrated leadership qualities or potential for development of those qualities.

The program strives for classes that represent the geographic, occupational, gender, ethnic and other diversities of our area.

THE BENEFITS
In addition to gaining awareness and understanding of the issues and challenges facing the region, participants in Leadership Hernando can:

• Refine their personal and public leadership styles and skills.
• Develop diverse contact and an excellent communication network.
• Receive recognition for themselves and their organization for their voluntary civic activities.
• Access better opportunities for taking an active role in addressing community needs.
  

Leadership Hernando Application Process:
The Leadership program interviews applicants in the month of April every year and selects only twenty-five participants to embark on the six-month Leadership Hernando adventure. Since the number of appointments to Leadership Hernando is limited, applicants who are not selected for enrollment are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years.

The class begins as a loosely tethered group of individuals trying to find their way out of a tangle of ropes; by the end of the program in November, they will be a cohesive group of friends who have extensively explored the various economic, social and professional forces impacting Hernando County.

In addition to gaining awareness and understanding of the issues and challenges facing the region, participants in Leadership Hernando will also benefit from:

• Receive recognition for themselves and their organization for their voluntary civic activities.
• Develop diverse contacts and an excellent communication network.
• Access better opportunities for taking an active role in addressing community needs.

Don't miss out on a great opportunity - submit an application for one or more of your key associates or encourage a colleague to submit an application for the opportunity to be a part of the Leadership Hernando Experience.

Click Here to View Printable PDF Application Form

If you are a Non-Profit Organization and would like to be considered for our Scholarship Tuition Assistance Program to attend the Leadership Hernando Experience, Please contact Carla Hayes at 352-796-0697 ext. 15 for an application.

Leadership Alumni Directory
The Directory of Alumni Members will help you keep in touch with both your classmates and other graduates with interests similar to yours. You can help keep our Alumni database current by notifying us of any updates to your contact info.

The committee of Leadership Hernando appreciates your continued support which makes our programs possible. We hope that you still feel that your six-month journey was worth the trip. The enthusiasm of each new class tells us that they, too, are enjoying the experience. We are excited to have three programs underway this year:
Adult, Teen & Alumni.

While we are frequently overwhelmed by the number of you that volunteer when we ask for support, please keep in touch with your class members and tell us of projects that we, as an Alumni group, might support.

I hope you enjoy this new website Directory and thank you again for your continued support of Leadership Hernando.

Leadership Hernando Alumni Program Committee Members
Leadership Hernando Graduate/Alumni Directory

Alphabetical Listing 1991 - 2006
Click Here to View Printable PDF Alumni Directory By Name

Directory By Year of Graduation 1991 - 2006
Click Here to View Printable PDF Alumni Directory By Year

Alumni Membership
Click Here to View Printable PDF Alumni Application

For more information or if need to update your contact information, please contact:
Leadership Hernando Alumni Committee
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce
101 East Fort Dade Avenue
Brooksville, FL 34601
Phone: (352) 796-0697
Fax: (352) 796-3704
Email: Info@hernandochamber.com