A loud bang and flash went off without warning as the local SWAT team stormed the office building where 36 community leaders were being held hostage by three armed men. Quickly in the confusion, the three criminals were disarmed and captured without an injury to any hostage in the room.
Afterwards, the community leaders listened intently to Maj. Matt Shaw as he explained the details and process of the SWAT teams’ actions during the hostage simulation that occurred during a Leadership Lancaster law enforcement session.
This day, like the other nine sessions of the leadership development program is designed to educate, excite and inspire the participants about Lancaster County. The program begins with history that outlines the heritage of Lancaster County, from the youth of President Andrew Jackson, through the textiles years of the economy, to the high-tech nature of the area today. Other program days focus on health care, education, business, government and cultural arts.
In addition to the program days, each class participates in a weekend retreat held annually at Myrtle
Beach that is geared toward developing personal leadership skills, team-building activities and community building training.
Entering the 30th year, Leadership Lancaster has graduated more than 600 individuals.
“The Chamber is proud to offer this program and to be a key player in talent and leadership development for our community,” says Todd Wallace, assistant vice president of business development with Founders Federal Credit Union and 2018 chairman of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce.
Graduates include leaders who have served on many local nonprofit boards, senior management positions of many businesses and elected officials at every level of government from city, county and school boards to state and federal government.
“Leadership Lancaster was a great experience for me,” says Gene Moore, retired superintendent, Lancaster County School District, “and one of the better professional development training programs I have participated in during my career.”