Forum For Business January 2015 | Page 19

L eade r s hi p L a k e l a n d A lum n i Asso c iati on t o g o “ B ack t o t h e F u ture ” f or A n n u a l M e et in g TRACY KIMBROUGH LLAA SECRETARY AND ANNUAL MEETING CHAIRPERSON IS AN ANNUAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY AND ENHANCE LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. The program unites leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in order to increase their understanding of community issues and improve their ability to lead effectively. In 1984, the term “Leadership Lakeland Alumni” was born following the successful graduation of Class I. With Class XXXII currently “in session,” the success of the program continues. Each Leadership Lakeland graduate can continue his or her Leadership Lakeland experience and is eligible to join the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association (LLAA). The mission of LLAA is to provide extraordinary learning experiences, to inspire community participation and leadership and to cultivate and invigorate leaders in Lakeland. As most organizations do, LLAA hosts an annual meeting each January. This “don’t miss event” has the typical annual meeting elements elections, recognition of exiting board members, summary of the past years accomplishments, etc - but it also finally eliminates the suspense of the renown Jere Annis award winner’s identity. The LLAA Annual Meeting Committee organizes and oversees all aspects of the meeting, and has some big shoes to fill after last year’s event. The 30th Anniversary celebration, arranged by Sandra Sheets and Lisa Oliver, included Marilyn Monroe to mingle with the great past presidents of the Association! THIS YEAR’S COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF: Classes 1 through 7 occurred during the years 1984-1989, so we have chosen to take you back to the 80s as we celebrate Classes 1 through 7. The 1980s were a defining decade for Lakeland, Florida, the United State and the world. National Geographic reminds us of this in their program, “The 1980’s: The Decade that Made Us,” where they describe this time as “the decade when we went forward to the future.” Tracy Kimbrough Lisa Oliver Jim Mammel Sam Crosby Ed Lunz Lana Swartzwelder Cynthia