Leadership Washington Class Celebrates Graduation

WASHINGTON—July 14 was Graduation Day for the 2020-21 Leadership Washington class.  Activities began at 8 a.m. at the Washington airport where class members got aerial views of the  city thanks to volunteering local pilots. Then they were briefed on the operations of the airport by  Airport Manager Mike Maxted and Airport Commissioners Kevin Erpelding and Jim Almelien.  Volunteer pilots included Cory Farmer, Tim Swift and Luke Horak. 

The airport operations include 11,900 aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) a year, making the  airport the 13th busiest of Iowa’s 101 general aviation airports. Visitors to the airport spend  $495,000 a year on fuel and other things, the ninth highest total in the state. The economic impact  of the airport is $1.9 million, 24th highest in the state. Some 30.5 jobs are airport-induced with a  total payroll creation of $971,600. 

At 10 a.m. the class travelled to the dining facilities of the United Presbyterian Home for a  graduation brunch. There they heard remarks from Erik Buchholz who reviewed the activities of the class since last October and related each class session to lessons in leadership.  

Class members received Certificates of Leadership and Excellence and those with perfect  attendance received Chamber Bucks. They also were presented with framed class photos. Finally  they were addressed by Washington Chamber of Commerce Director Michelle Redlinger. The  Chamber sponsors the Leadership program. Redlinger and Buchholz urged class member to become  involved in the community. 

The 2021-22 Leadership Washington program begins in September. 

For any questions contact Bill Monroe at the Chamber of Commerce, [email protected]