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Millington Center Director Ron Wells selected for WestStar Leadership Program

Millington Center Director Ron Wells has been selected to participate in the WestStar Leadership Program, Tennessee’s oldest and largest regional leadership program.

Wells and fellow Shelby County participant, Al Da Silva, will join 28 other participants from 15 counties across the state who will learn new strategies and leadership skills to build better communities across West Tennessee.

Ron Wells

“Ron Wells is an outstanding selection,” President Tracy D. Hall said.  “He is a dedicated member of the Southwest family who is an excellent ambassador in the community—always ready to spread the word about the work we are doing at Southwest. I am truly proud to have him serve.”

Wells is a Leadership Millington graduate currently serving as chairman of the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  He is immediate past president for the Tennessee Alliance for Continuing Higher Education.

“I am proud and humbled to be among the people selected for this program,” Wells said. “I look forward to making lifelong friends and connections across Tennessee.”

According to Wells, the chief purpose of the program is to help promote West Tennessee across the state. He points to the Memphis Regional Megasite under development outside Jackson, Tennessee, and the area’s burgeoning manufacturing industry. “It will take a collaboration of all the counties surrounding the Megasite to make it successful,” Wells said. “And any workforce development initiative that comes to West Tennessee will require the cooperation of higher education.”

Westar participants are chosen for their leadership accomplishment and potential to be change-makers in their community.  Wells and his fellow cohorts join a growing network of leaders committed to community engagement and innovation.  They will attend monthly sessions now through June where they will explore such topics as public policy, education, technology and economic development, and interact with people who are shaping the future of West Tennessee.

“I’m excited by the sessions. We get to travel to different counties in a two-day period where we research an area’s history and local industries, and talk to mayors and other community stakeholders,” Wells said.

University of Tennessee at Martin founded the WestStar Leadership Program in 1989.  Only one class is chosen each year. For more information about the WestStar Leadership Program, contact Program Coordinator Virginia Grimes at (731) 881-7298.

Congratulations, Ron!