Leadership Southeast Georgia (LSEGA) members toured Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay as part of their third session of the year, as they studied the impact of various military installations on the region’s economy and also took a look at disaster preparedness.

“There’s a certain ‘wow!’ factor involved in visiting a submarine base, and the information provided to the class gives everyone a close look at the huge impact this facility makes on the local economy,” said Lee Beckmann, Chairman of LSEGA. “It’s important that our region’s leaders understand the significance of all of our local installations to our area as well as for the defense of our nation.”

The session had three stated goals: to examine the impact of the region’s military installations on economic and workforce development; to explore the interconnectedness of our various military branches in the region; and to enhance participants’ awareness of personal leadership styles in order to explore strategies for development.

St. Marys Mayor John F. Morrissey welcomed the group at the opening breakfast, and the group also met site coordinator Terry Landreth of Camden Bikes.

After the tour of the submarine base, the group wound up its first day with a chance to bike to an evening cocktail reception, sponsored by Atlantic Salt Realty in St. Marys’ historic district. Members had a chance to walk the waterfront to see first-hand the disaster recovery efforts there in the wake of the 2016 and 2017 hurricanes. Also available were self-directed tours of the St. Marys Submarine Museum. Dinner followed at Howard Gilman Waterfront Park.

For 20 years, representatives of business, government, education and nonprofit organizations in 10 southeast Georgia counties have taken part in LSEGA, exposing these leaders to the many facets of the region’s complex economy and helping them establish networks with their peers.

The 2019 LSEGA program sponsors include Evans General Contractors, Gulfstream Aerospace, Advanced Door Systems, The Sack Company, Georgia Power, Georgia Southern University, the Savannah Airport Commission, LS3P Associates, FirstPage Marketing, Sterling Seacrest Partners, Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Thomas & Hutton, HunterMaclean, Hussey Gay Bell, Abshire Public Relations, Coastal Electric Cooperative, AT&T, The Waters Foundation and P.C. Simonton & Associates, Cecilia Russo Marketing and Carriage Trade Public Relations.

Sponsors of the Camden County visit were St. Mary’s The Cumberland, St. Marys Main Street, the Camden County Joint Development Authority, Atlantic Salt Realty and Brackish Beer Company.