The Leadership Kerr County Program

What is Leadership Kerr County?

Leadership Kerr County is an extensive 9-month program that immerses students in their community by teaching about topics that all leaders should know:  Economic Development, Social Services, Education, Government, Health Care, Environment, Travel & Leisure and others.

How long has Leadership Kerr County been in existence?

Leadership Kerr County started in 1985 when Si Ragsdale, Camp Stewart and Leonard Holloway, former chamber executive director approached Dr. Sam Junkin with Schreiner University about an educational program for up and coming community leaders to learn more about many of the facets of the county.  There have been 28 classes of Leadership Kerr County since that time.

How are the classes selected?

Leadership Kerr County classes are selected from nominees who submit applications to the program.  Nominees can be by referral or self-nomination and must be residents of Kerr County or work in Kerr County for at least one year prior to September 1st of each year.

How large are the Leadership Kerr County classes?

Each year, not more than a total of 24 men and women are selected to participate in Leadership Kerr County classes.  The relatively small size of the class is designed to maximize the learning experience while at the same time allow class members to get to know each other on a one to one basis.  The lasting value of Leadership Kerr County can be summed up in the long-term friendships and business associations created by class participation.

If I receive a nomination letter, does that mean I have been selected to participate?

Unfortunately no, your nominating letter is a great first step, and one that you should be proud to receive; typically, less than 100 people earn nominating letters.  The next step is filling out and sending in the application; only when this is accomplished will a candidate be considered for the next class.

When is the Leadership Kerr County class selected?

In July of each year, class members are notified by mail of their acceptance into the program and asked to make a commitment to participate.

How are the classes structured?

Each member of the class will be assigned a session topic to begin researching guest speakers, field trips and other forms of information that apply to that topic.  Working with other class members, the team will put together a session agenda and carry it through on their assigned class day.  In addition, homework assignments will be passed out with each class member being assigned a specific topic to research and present to the class on an assigned date.

What if I miss a class?

Attendance is critical to the success of the Leadership Kerr County experience.  We currently enforce a no-tolerance policy with regards to missed sessions.  Class members who miss any part of a class may be asked to attend a session in the following year in order to complete the necessary requirements for the program.  It needs to be understood by all applicants, that attendance is your first priority in participating in LKC.

2012-2013 Leadership Kerr County Class

Jeff Anderson, Partners in Ministry
Koy Coffer, Texas Wildlife Association
Ben Elble, Camp CAMP
John Eric Fleckenstein, Sunbelt Securities
BK Gamble, Foundations for Laity Renewal
Justin Hammack, Centennial Bank
Patty Hatch, Texas Finial
Lesley Henneke, Judicial Workplace Arbitrations, Inc.
Misty Kothe, City of Kerrville-Business Programs
Jennifer Latiolais, Guadalupe National Bank
Amy Madrid, Lulu Ink & La Hacienda
Derek Meier, Meier Custom Built Homes
Bill Muse, Schreiner University
Steve  Pautler, Peterson Regional Medical Center
Leticia Perez, Security State Bank & Trust
Molly Putnam, Salvation Army
Rhonda Richter, Kerr County United Way
Carlina  Villalpando, Kerrville Daily Times