The graduating class of the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge will end their learning experience with nationally known author and speaker Dale Collie. Collie is the author of four books, Frontline Leadership: From War Room to Boardroom, Building Courageous Leaders, Conversations on Faith, and Winning under Fire: Turn Stress Into Success the US Army Way.
Collie is a former Fortune 500 executive, business owner, CEO, US Army Ranger, and professor at West Point. Drawing on his experiences as a military commander in Europe and Vietnam, Collie will speak to the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge about, “the essential ingredients for success when you face insurmountable problems.” Fast Company magazine names Dale as one of America’s top 50 innovative leaders. Collie’s business experience includes both the for-profit and non-profit sectors in the U.S. and globally.
Sponsored by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, the eight-session Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge, which began in March, encourages participants toward leadership and educates them about the Blowing Rock community. Participants were introduced to the history, social networks, economic and workforce issues, among other topics. Leadership Challenge participants found the program both engaging and enlightening and came away with a better appreciation for the layers of resources and networks in our village.
One participant described her experience as, “A total lesson in all things Blowing Rock.” Participants are looking forward to meeting with and hearing from Collie as the capstone to their experience. “I’m looking forward to hearing from someone who has made a huge success in the face of such adversity.”
The graduation took place at the at Dominic’s Table at Crestwood on Wednesday, April 30. This year’s class were: Mark Higby, Meadowbrook Inn; Jennifer Peterson, Chetola Resort; Brian Baldwin, Footsloggers; Karen Barker, Blowing Rock Country Cabins; Tom Santay, Tom Santay Productions; Lindsey Yates, United Community Bank; Jeff Clark, Hayes Center for Performing Arts; Stephanie Keener, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce; Amanda Fife, Blowing Rock TDA; Heidi Ellis, Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway; and Hilari Harding of Wachovia Bank