Leadership Southeast Georgia, a premier regional leadership development program, held its first of five sessions at Little St. Simons Island in Glynn County.

For 20 years, representatives of business, government, education and non-profit organizations in 10 southeast Georgia counties have taken part in creating a valuable network of leadership for regional community and economic development.

This year’s participants were offered a glimpse of Coastal Georgia’s natural resources on day one with a tour of the Brunswick port and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Truitt Eavenson, Georgia Power’s Southeast Region vice president, served as the keynote speaker on leadership, challenging the group to lead by collaboration and to “accept change, embrace change and seek change.” The class also heard a presentation from Doug Haymans, Director of the Coastal Resources Division of DNR.

Day two focused on examining communication preferences and styles and the impact on one’s approach to leadership using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and featured a leadership challenge scavenger hunt with participants exploring three different terrains on the island.

“This first weekend is critical for developing class relationships and establishing an awareness of self,” said Suzanne Kirk of Employee Development Strategies, Inc. who serves as Leadership Southeast Georgia’s facilitator. “We created the foundation for the remaining sessions and really set the stage for the connectivity of the overall program.”

This first session was coordinated by Paulo Albuquerque and Cedric King. Albuquerque is the Area Manager for Georgia Power Southeast Region, and King is the CEO of King’s Consulting.

The five-month program is designed to grow and inspire engaged community leaders to improve the overall quality of life in Coastal Georgia. The focus of this first session was to establish a road map for the Leadership Southeast Georgia experience while building relationships, exploring leadership concepts and increasing participants’ knowledge of the region.

The next session will be held in Bulloch County.