AMERICUS, Ga.  –  Four Colquitt Countians are among 35 people named to the second cohort of Locate South GeorgiaLEADS.  Presented by Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG), Locate South GeorgiaLEADS (LSGL) will kick off Thursday, Aug. 17, at Southern Woods in Sylvester-Worth County.

From Colquitt County will be  Steadman Taylor of Broadleaf Trucking, Quentin Bates of Standard Discount Corporation, Richard Goodno of Goodno Electric and Jack Loyd of JCI Contractors.

With representation from 21 counties across South Georgia, LSGL is an eight-month leadership experience that develops individual leadership skills while engaging participants in discussions of regional importance around economic development, identify and influence, workforce development, and community growth that are both unique and relevant to South Georgia.  Developed in 2015 as a partnership of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia, and the region’s economic development professionals and affiliates that make up Locate South Georgia, LSGL engages its second class of emerging leaders.

Presenting sponsor Daryl Ingram, senior vice president for External Affairs and Economic Development for ECG states, “LEADS is a dynamic and powerful leadership experience that empowers current and future leaders of Southwest Georgia.  Its regional participation aligns with today’s need for regional foresight and collaboration.”

Echoing Ingram’s support for the program and its impact to the region, Locate South Georgia Chairman Justin Strickland, who also serves as the president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, agrees.   

“As an organization, Locate South Georgia exists to build collaboration and partnerships throughout the state’s southern region in order to maximize our area’s potential,” Strickland said. “The LEADS program is an important initiative of the group as a means of identifying and developing high-potential leaders to carry on that mission and spread the message of regionalism throughout all circles.”