Seventeen people recently completed Leadership Haywood, a community leadership development program addressing issues affecting the future of Haywood County. Leadership Haywood, now in its 17th year, is one of the Leadership Programs of the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

“The mission of Leadership Haywood is to inform, challenge, and motivate people to become more involved in shaping the future of Haywood County,” said Gerry Geortz, UNC Asheville Leadership Programs director.

Leadership Haywood examines topics ranging from local government and education to economic development and the environment. It provides opportunities for participants to develop their leadership skills while meeting with current decision-makers in the community.

The graduates of Leadership Haywood 17 are: Cecil Bennett, community volunteer; Jean Burton, Haywood County Extension Service; Kevin Byrd, Town of Maggie Valley; Matt DeLozier, Haywood Community College; Elizabeth Dennis, Beverly-Hanks and Associates; Joy Garland, Town of Clyde; Nick Honerkamp, New Covenant Church; Richard Lanning, Richard Lanning Builders Inc.; Tina Masciarelli, REACH of Haywood County; Torrie Murphy, Mountain Projects Inc.; April Nelson, Haywood County Recreation and Parks; Lillian Norris, Jeffery W. Norris & Associates, PLLC; Tim Sisk, Haywood County; Kathy Smith, Giles Chemical Corp.; David Wijewickrama, attorney; and Danny Wingate, Haywood Builders. Leadership Haywood 18 will begin in February 2006. For information contact UNC Asheville’s Leadership Programs Office at 828.251.6125 or e-mail leadership@unca.edu.