Leadership East Texas

The inaugural class of Leadership East Texas was honored at a special luncheon and commencement ceremony Tuesday, April 19, at the Cleveland Civic Center.

LET is a 501(c)(3) and offers leadership development to current and future leaders in Liberty, San Jacinto, Polk, and East Montgomery counties.

It was developed by former Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce VP/COO Jim Carson and Jay Rice. The course was initially set to begin before the pandemic but, after much delay, finally launched in 2021.

The board for LET consists of President Rice, VP Carson, Secretary Kari Duggar, and Larry Wadzeck.

The first class began with 25 members, but in the end18 completed the course and qualified for graduation. Students in the program completed a class project and did work to clean and improve Campbell Park in Cleveland.

The class consisted of students from the cities of Cleveland and Dayton, Cleveland and Tarkington ISDs, Emergency Hospital Systems, Trinity River Food Bank, Southside Bank, Prosperity Bank, Results Real Estate, Lone Star Amenities, and Entergy Texas.

Graduates are Tamara Alexander, Charlene Barrett, Ashleigh Broussard-Carter, Wanda Campbell, Brain Garcia, Amos Herrera, Leslie Herrera, Calesta House, Michael Kelley, Juliet Lombard-Petty, Candice Lork, Cindy McGown, Aaron Montesnie to, Brandon Perry, Mark Rodriquez, Lauren Young, and Vilma Zavala.

LET Members are the City of Cleveland, City of Dayton, City of Liberty, Cleveland Economic Development, Cleveland ISD, Tarkington ISD, Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, and Liberty County.

Sponsors for LET are Emergency Hospital Systems Network of Hospitals, Southside Bank, Prosperity Bank, and Anne Vickery & Associates Realty.

LET received a private grant through Christian Mission Concerns, and Woodforest National Bank sponsored the graduation.