The following 17 participants of the Leadership Pickens County class of 2008-2009 graduated May 21, 2009. They were treated to a Lake Hartwell houseboat dinner cruise by Bill and Carol Walsh.

Pictured left to right above are: Neil Monaghan, Rhonda Sauro, Bill Walsh, Luanne Whitmire, Sharon Morgan, Chris Hardy, Keith Frazier, Jeremiah Jackson, John Eaves, Janice Bishop, Nate Barrett, Wanda White, Sandra Wimphrie.
Not pictured are Will Gregory, Susie Kohout, Allison Anderson, Bryan Roper, Jeff Sellers

Over the past ten months, they participated in ten (10) one day sessions on Pickens County Health Care, Communications, Education, Community Services, Economic Development, Local and State Government, and Recreation/Tourism.

Will Gregory, Palmetto Insurance
Keith Frazier, Pickens County DSS
Neil Monaghan, Monaghan Company
Wanda White, Hospice of the Upstate
John Eaves, Carolina First Bank
Sharon Morgan, SC Employment Security
Nate Barrett, Carolina First Bank
Luanne Whitmire, GHS Children’s Hospital
Rhonda Sauro, Liberty Chamber
Jeff Sellers, First Citizens Bank
Bryan Roper, Blue Ridge Electric Coop
Allison Anderson, Pickens County Library System
Sandra Wimphrie, Clemson University
Janis Bishop, Clemson University
Susie Kohout, Carolina Real Estate
Chris Hardy, Clemson Chamber of Commerce
Jeremiah Jackson, Beef “O” Brady’s

The purpose of Leadership Pickens County is to create continuing leadership in Pickens County through the Chambers of Commerce and Leadership Pickens County Board of Regents by equipping participants with the knowledge of the county and encouraging them to participate in the decision making process in the county.

It is open to citizens of the county on a first come basis. The course fee is $750 per person. Applications are available in the Easley, Pickens, Clemson, and Liberty Chambers of Commerce. The class will be forming now through the summer with the first session in early September.