29 graduate from Class of Leadership

By: Bennie Scarton Jr. | Inside NoVA
Published: July 15, 2009

Twenty-nine leaders who make up the 2009 Class of Leadership Prince William have graduated from the program. The class had its final retreat recently at George Mason University, Prince William campus.

The leadership program is aimed at providing the area with a number of diverse leaders who are prepared and committed to make a positive change for quality of life.

"It's hard to believe another year of Leader Prince William is coming to a close. We've had a wonderful program this year. The Class of 2009 has shared diverse perspectives and insights with one another. Their eagerness to become more involved in the professional and social communities speaks to the value of the program," said Kathy Ellington, executive director.

The Leadership Prince William Board of Regents honored the class with a reception at the university's Bull Run Atrium.

Margaret Goldberger, executive director of Prince William Health Partnership and Leadership 2009 graduate, was elected by her fellow classmates to serve as their representative to the Board of Regents.

She spoke to her fellow graduates and guests at the reception, echoing the sentiments of all. "As a result of the Leadership Prince William program, we are better equipped to understand aspects of our world that are beyond our personal experience. We are able to apply lessons learned over the year and see more clearly how we can make a difference."

Ellington congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to go into the community and find ways to make a posi-tive impact; serve as board members, committee members and commission members. She gave the directive, "Become stewards of your community."

The new graduates are: Jeff Abt, principal, Mayfield Intermediate School; Tom Bruun, director Public Works, Prince William County; Ron Buchanan, dean, Communications Technologies & Social Sciences, Northern Virginia Community College; Jim DiModica, president of APT Impact Inc. and chairman, Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce; Charles Gilliam, president Roux Pot, Manassas; Goldberger; Richard Hendershot, Hendershot, Burkhardt & Reed, CPAs; Mel Huey, Washington Gas, Springfield; Kris Johnson, membership director, Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce; Lt. Timothy Kotlowski, Manassas City Police Depart-ment; Cornelia Long, principal, SLP Communications Solutions Inc.; Corry Matthews, Corry Matthews Enterprises, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, Manassas; and Rossana Noviello, Prince William County Public Schools.

Also, Pat Peacock, director, Mason Enterprise Center, George Mason University, Prince William Campus; Earnie Porta, mayor, Town of Occoquan; Gail R. Prentiss, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, Manassas; Ceda Putiyon, principal, CAP Accounting, Dale City; Pattysue Rauh, Brown & Brown Insurance Agency of Virginia, Inc., Manas-sas; Jack Recker, retired, Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center; Patricia Redding, R. W. Murray Co. Inc., Manassas; Jeanette Rishell, political consultant, Manassas Park; Andrea Saccoccia, director, Project Mend-A-House, Manassas; Stephen Silberstein, Micron Technology of Virginia, Manassas; Robert Sowell Sr., Apple Federal Credit Union, Woodbridge; Kim Taylor-Wilson, Primere Events & Presentations, Woodbridge; Lt. Steven Thompson, Prince William County Police; Patty Tracy, director, Historic Manassas Inc.; William White, Synergy One Federal Credit Union; and Bennett Whitlock, Whitlock & Associates, Lake Ridge.

Mortar Sponsors of the graduating event were Verizon Inc. and Micron Technology of Virginia. Commemorative sponsor was Prince William County/Manassas Convention Visitor Bureau. Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative was the evening's entertainment sponsor.

The retreat was organized by Jan Day Gravel, of the Janus Development Group.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.