Leadership Washington 2019 Begins

For Immediate Release

Members of the 2019 Leadership Washington Class learned about the city’s history as another year of the popular program kicked off Wednesday, September 11.

The day began at Hills Bank with the enrollees becoming acquainted with one another and with their leaders Jenny Morgan, Jaron Rosien and Elaine Moore, all graduates of the program. The first visit was to the F-Troop Museum where the class of 2019 saw the sights of old military memorabilia. This visit was especially meaningful as it was held on 9-11, the anniversary of the Twin Towers attack. Lonnie Milligan was the host of the tour.

After a short drive to the Elm Grove Cemetery, the class was led on a fascinating tour of grave markers by local historian Mike Zahs who pointed out the graves of historical figures from the community and explained the significance of various types of grave markers.

Following lunch, the group was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Theater, the world’s longest continuously operated movie theater. There they learned the history of the structure which was once an opera house. The class was even treated with fresh popcorn and taken backstage behind the giant movie screen and up to the digital projection booth to see the computerized operation that now projects the films that patrons see at the theater. Crystal Christener and Mike Zahs led the tour and answered the group’s questions.

The next stop of the day was the Conger House Museum which was once a farm house in the country before the village of Washington grew to its location 903 East Washington Street. It now serves as a museum displaying Washington memorabilia from a variety of areas including medical, military, kitchen, photography, home furnishings and more. The day ended at Sunset Park and the Alexander Young Cabin lovingly managed by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The 2019-2020 Leadership Washington class includes: Alyx Dietz (Federation Bank), Angela Goodwin (YMCA of Washington), Angela Langstraat (Hills Bank), Anna Nacos (Washington High School), Bill Monroe (Washington Chamber of Commerce), Brock Sobaski (Washington High School), Brooke Hanson (Washington State Bank), Caleb Miller (Community 1^st Credit Union), Mary Audia (Washington Economic Development Group), Erin Kaye (United Presbyterian Church), Heather Hora (Self-Employed), Jamie Ferski (Engineered Building Design), Jim Lester (City of Washington Police Department), Jonathon Ward (Paneless Window Cleaning), Jordan Hill (US Bank), Kara Rodgers (Washington State Bank), Lino Villa (Engineered Building Design), Oliva Pacha (Knee Deep Solutions), Patty Koller (Washington County Riverboat Foundation), Renee Pfeifer (WCDC, Inc.), Rory White (KCTC), Samantha Meyer (Washington County Hospitals & Clinics), Tania Villa (State Farm-Scott Lujan), Teresa Long (Washington County Treasurer), Tyler Cain (KCTC), and Willie Stone (Washington Community School District).

The class will meet again October 9 when it will study economic development in Washington. During this session, the class will get to fly airplanes, insight from different economic development groups in town, hear from a financial panel and tour our downtown district.

Leadership Washington is a program offered by the Washington Chamber of Commerce. Contact the Chamber at 319-653-3272 for more information.