By By Adam Prestridge
Eighteen Atmore businessmen and women met early last Thursday morning before embarking on the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce’s 16th Leadership Atmore class experience.
Since its inception, the Chamber has held an opening retreat each year at Camp Beckwith, which is hidden in the woods of Fairhope and features a challenging ropes course that teaches trust and communication skills between classmates.
Leadership Atmore steering committee chairperson Tim Manning believes this year’s class bonded well at the retreat and looks forward to the monthly classes, which begin in October and teach class members about Atmore’s history, culture and business and industry.
The class arrived at Beckwith early last Thursday and participated in several exercises, which consisted of physical and mental challenges. Following lunch, the class harnessed in and took to the high ropes. That evening, members of the Class of 2008 served the new class hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner.
Friday morning, Denise Stewart facilitated the Myers-Briggs assessment and revealed each team members’ characteristic traits based on the exam, which was taken the prior week in Atmore.
Class member Andrea Lassiter said she enjoyed getting to know her fellow classmates during the opening retreat.
Stephanie Buitron agreed, adding she experienced things during the camp she may not have otherwise.
Conrad Weber agreed.
Witnessing the bonding between class members is what Manning said is one of the most rewarding aspects about the camp.
Leadership Class of 2009 includes, Lassiter, Buitron, Weber, Suzanne McGill, Cindi Stacey, Candy Lowery, Angela Stuart, Chandler Myers, Dennis Tyree, Greg Cole, Jamel Moore, Gil Bonner, Gary Mast, Larry Grant, Judd Coley, Melissa Ward, Chris Walker and Sheryl Vickery.
The next Leadership session will be Leadership Skills and is scheduled for Oct. 16. Peggie Byrd will be the session coordinator, according to Manning.