LEADERSHIP MONROE COUNTY ANNOUNCES CLASS XXIX

Leadership Monroe County, the premier educational non-profit community leadership organization,  announces its twenty-ninth year of programs with the selection of Class XXIX.  

The LMC program is aimed at residents who are active in leadership roles within the private sector, government, or community organizations. 

Through a series of single or multi-day sessions over eight months, participants examine the fundamental public and private segments throughout the county. The program also provides participants the opportunity for mutual awareness and discussion of issues affecting the Keys. These experiences help participants grow as Monroe County residents and leaders. 

Sessions will begin Friday, Oct. 1 in Key West with subsequent monthly classes throughout the Keys, culminating with graduation in May 2022. Sessions are led by experts and leaders in the respective fields covered in each session. The nine sessions include focusing on the challenges and opportunities that confront the dynamic tourism industry and the Keys economy; vital environmental issues from the Everglades to Florida Bay and the coral reefs; the Monroe County education system; the multi-levels of government; the judiciary and law enforcement system; the historical and present military significance in the Keys; emergency management  and emerging best practices; an examination of the Keys health care and human services; the increasing impact of the arts and creative industries; the non-profit sectors, and the rapidly changing media platforms that inform the citizenry and affect and influence public policy. 

Established in 1992 to address the rapidly changing needs and concerns of the county, develop a group of well-educated leaders, help guide the community in a positive direction, and foster countywide effective and non-partisan alliances, Leadership Monroe County is an independent non-profit, governed by a countywide alumni member board of directors. Officers are president Chuck Licis-Masson, vice president John  Johnson, secretary Bruce Shea and treasurer Bruce Halle, with program coordinator Michael Shields.  

Class XXIX members are: 

Amber Acevedo, coordinator/community relations & professional development, Monroe County  School District 

Nancy Alvarez, lieutenant, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office 

Tyler Blanton, detective, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office 

Brandi Card, owner, Island Pilates and Massage

Paul Davis, drector, Parks and Recreation, City of Marathon 

Lindsey Fast, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys Marianne Finizio, VP, Community Health of South Florida  

Patricia Hann, owner, Florida Keys Marketing Group 

Brad Lutz, AVP, commercial lender, First State Bank of the Florida Keys 

Mandy Miles, editor, Key West Weekly 

Greg Oravec, village manager, Village of Islamorada 

Levi Pattinson, VP, First Horizon Bank 

Buddy Pinder, mayor, Village of Islamorada 

Nick Rodriguez, GM, Mrs. Macs Kitchens 

Michelle “Mick” Walsh, College of the Florida Keys 

Pang Xiong, patient care manager, Baptist/Fishermen’s Community Hospital