The History of LMC
First Class of LMC (1993) pictured above.
Recognizing the need to take a pro-active approach to building a stronger community, in 1992 the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service to form Leadership Montgomery County. The goal was to develop a steady stream of emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds that could help shape the future of Mt. Sterling and Montgomery County.
The ten-month program was modeled after Leadership Kentucky, by kicking off with a weekend retreat and then offering participants monthly, day-long experiences in the areas of agriculture, health care, education, local and state government, industry, utility infrastructure and more. Students also have the opportunity to visit local media outlets, recreation and cultural facilities, the regional airport and are provided a behind-the-scenes perspective of many well-known local establishments.
Long-time Mt. Sterling/Montgomery County residents who complete class often comment on how much they learn about their “hometown” after completing the course.
Each month, class members are provided lessons in leadership and professional development, team building, problem-solving as well as learn how to become better ambassadors and present-day trustees of Montgomery County.
To date, nearly four hundred members of the local community have graduated from the program. Through the years, LMC has grown in influence, as its graduates have risen through the ranks of their trade. The organization can count former police and fire chiefs, directors, vice presidents, educators and school administrators, hospital executives, health care professionals, bank presidents, first responders, attorneys, financial planners, city council members as well as the current mayor of Mt. Sterling and Judge Executive of Montgomery County among its alumni.
Community Service
Each class of Leadership Montgomery County is tasked with completing a community service project over the course of the year. This experience not only serves to bond the participants but provides real-world experience for the class with a lasting positive impact on the community. Past service projects include building a storybook walk, planning trees for main street beautification, providing beds for area youth, and raising funds to support local cancer patients and their families, murals, serving homeless shelters among others.
The LMC Logo
When Leadership Montgomery County began, the original organizers knew they needed to create a unique symbol to be used when promoting the new organization. They also wanted to build a logo that was inspired by the LMC mission. Thus, the arrow logo still in use today was born. The design featured arrows pointing inward to represent the gathering of class members from different areas of the community who are focused on developing leadership skills. Encouraging LMC graduates to take those skills out into their various segments of the community and using the lessons learned during the course to strengthen sponsor organizations, and various other civic and community groups are represented in the arrow that is pointed away.