Leadership Cherokee, a program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, recently graduated its 28th Anniversary Class.

Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2016 selected three of their peers to receive special annual recognitions. The Cristal Stancil Leadership Award honorees were Shannon Gibbs of Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services and Michael Zenchuk, Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Holly Springs. The Bob Frongillo Magic Spark Plug Award was presented to Jack Tuszynski of Family Life Publications. Outgoing 2016 Leadership Cherokee Chair Katie Wise, of LGE Community Credit Union, was recognized by Incoming Chair Heath Tippens with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development.

Over the course of the nine-month period, Leadership Cherokee exposed the group of existing and emerging leaders to a broad range of sessions that focused on topics such as economic development, infrastructure, government, justice, arts, education, recreation, tourism, public safety, healthcare and social/human services.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce recently announced that seven members have been elected to the organizations Board of Directors. These volunteers will serve three-year terms, beginning in January 2017 and continuing through December 2019.

The newly elected members include: Zach Blend, Goshen Valley Foundation; Kelly Geiken, Edward Jones; Mark Goddard, Cobb EMC; Vic Knight, Waste Management; Kathy Lambert, Chart, Inc.; Janet Read, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta and Brian Stevens, FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers.