ATC’s Mark Stanford (l to r) and his wife, Elise, celebrate his graduation from Leadership Triangle alongside his classmate John White. |
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What do two salesmen and a development guy have in common? They are all now Goodmon Fellows. Three CBC’ers joined the ranks of Leadership Triangle graduates on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. FOX 50 Director of Local Sales Niel Sollod, 99.9 The Fan Account Executive Joey Powell and American Tobacco Development Associate Mark Stanford earned their diplomas from the Leadership Triangle spring Regional leadership program in an evening ceremony in American Tobacco’s Bay 7 in Durham.
All of the class members not only took multiple of daylong sessions with Leadership Triangle over the past few months, they all committed to volunteering in the community during the course of their training.
A Solid Background in Leadership
Sollod, who now also serves as the chair for the Leadership Triangle Alumni Association, has been volunteering with the Miracle League of the Triangle alongside his oldest son, Ryan.
FOX 50’s Niel Sollod volunteers with the Miracle League of the Triangle. |
Sollod (center) receives his Leadership Triangle diploma from Corp’s Jim Goodmon (right) & LT Board Chair Blake Strayhorn. |
“Ryan and I got involved with them last summer and we have been buddies to the players,” said Sollod. “He also likes working the announce booth and I enjoy being the umpire.”
Sollod shared his experiences with the regional leadership program.
“This was my second time through LT,” he said. “I did the personal development class last fall and the regional class this spring. Both were great. Even though I have lived in the Triangle since 1986, I received a more in depth understanding of the issues facing our region. Accelerated growth patterns will have a tremendous impact on our region’s future and we need to be prepared from an infrastructure and human services perspective if we want to maintain our current quality of life. Among the highlights; riding the train from Durham to Raleigh, visiting Pittsboro and Chatham County and meeting many engaged, smart people in many different industries. “
A Growth Opportunity
Powell volunteers with the Me Fine Foundation, which provides resources and financial assistance to families with children who are being treated at UNC and Duke Children’s Hospitals. He found Leadership Triangle to be an impactful experience.
99.9 The Fan’s Joey Powell poses in the WRAL Newsroom after an interview about an upcoming fundraiser for the Me Fine Foundation. |
Powell (center) receives his Leadership Triangle diploma from Corp’s Jim Goodmon (right) & LT Board Chair Blake Strayhorn. |
“I wanted to be involved with Leadership Triangle because I’d heard nothing but positive things about it from graduates,” said Powell. “I’m always looking for opportunities that will help me grow not only professionally, but as a person as well. LT introduced me to a great group of other future leaders that I wouldn’t have met otherwise, and I’m happy to be able to add such valuable personalities to my network. The class also exposed me to current issues that face the Triangle, and helped shape some ideas in my mind of how I can be a part of making this area even better for future generations. This class definitely added value to my career path as well.”
Powell’s experience with Leadership Triangle has made him a big fan.
“For anyone who has a desire to not only immerse themselves into the concerns and intricacies of the region, but to do so with a dynamic group of diverse individuals who have a similar goal in mind, I’d certainly recommend this particular class,” he said.
Building for the Future
Stanford is a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Durham,
ATC’s Mark Stanford (right) says this picture shows hims NOT hitting his finger with a hammer while building for Habitat for Humanity. |
Stanford (center) receives his Leadership Triangle diploma from Corp’s Jim Goodmon (right) & LT Board Chair Blake Strayhorn. |
“Leadership Triangle was an amazing experience, and one that I’ve already recommended to several friends and colleagues,” said Stanford. “The regional leadership program really opened my eyes to the current issues and future challenges which will impact the Triangle over the next several decades. Receiving hands-on experience across topics ranging from the good work of community non-profits, to planning for an aging population, to the challenges of future transit in the Triangle was incredibly valuable.”
Stanford says the class has given him a broader vision.
“I feel that it’s very easy to get wrapped up in the insular day-to-day of life, without consideration of the bigger picture,” he said. “With this short program, the experiences – and contacts made – will definitely enable a developing set of leaders to work together to face the challenges that will continue to impact the Triangle.”
The trio joins a long list of CBC’ers on the alumni roster of Leadership Triangle. CBC is a long-time sponsor and supporter of the non-profit regional leadership training outfit.
Be a Part of Triangle Leadership
Leadership Triangle is now taking applications for their fall Personal Leadership Development program. Classes will be held at the PNC Arena this year. Apply by August 10th, and if accepted you will receive a $150.00 discount. Find an application here.
Leadership Triangle also includes a College Edition and an Executive Program. Find out more here.
Goodmon Fellows, the Leadership Triangle graduates, get a great deal beyond these programs. Alumni are invited to participate in a great deal of additional learning activities beyond their original class.
“As chair of the LT alumni association, I am working with a great team to help energize the alumni body and provide opportunities and a platform for Goodmon Fellows to connect with each other and leverage their energy to do great things for the region,” concluded Sollod. “We have more events planned for this year including a 20th anniversary celebration for LT on September 20th.”
Find out more about the celebration here.
Thanks to ATC’s Valerie Ward for the capcom photos from the graduation and to Sollod, Powell & Stanford for their individual photos of volunteering in action.
