Leadership Vestavia Hills equips citizens for the good of the City
September marked the start of a leadership journey for a select few in the Vestavia Hills community.
Leadership Vestavia Hills (LVH), a non-profit organization that works to improve leadership quality in the community, welcomed its 2014 class to leadership school on Sept. 3. LVH has gathered a carefully selected group every year since 1996 to educate and empower by fostering awareness of the community’s social and economic qualities.
With the leadership training LVH provides, graduates are expected leave with the knowledge, skills and inspiration to advance the growth of Vestavia Hills.
Classes are held monthly and cover such topics as government, economics, leadership, quality of life, education and team building. On Saturdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., various government officials, alumni and others speak with the group.
In addition, LVH class participants work on projects and charity events throughout the term that are dedicated to improving the city and community, thereby jump-starting their future in leadership.
“Before I joined the board, I didn’t really know how hard LVH worked to improve the community,” said Brent Irby, 2013-2014 president of the board of directors for LVH and a partner at McCallum, Hoaglund, Cook & Irby, LLP. “It’s truly rewarding.”
Past projects include the LVH website, development of the Vestavia Hills Community Roundtable and development of initial plans for a community fine arts performance center.
Graduates have gone on to serve the community in positions that include state representative, city council representative, superintendent, school principal, judge and attorney.
“[LVH] is a great networking opportunity, and I’ve plugged in to the community through its leadership [school],” said 2002 graduate Donna Knotts Byrd, a current member of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.
New class members of LVH are nominated every fall. The class only accepts a maximum of 22 participants from among many nominee applications.
In 1996, founders Dennis and Karen Anderson started the organization with only 18 participants. Since then, the organization has expanded to include a Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills (YLVH) organization based at Vestavia Hills High School. YLVH was founded in 2008 and currently has approximately 530 trained student members.
To nominate someone or learn more about LVH or YLVH, contact Angie McEwen at 458-9487 or amcewen@johnstonbarton.com, or visit leadershipvestaviahills.com.
Daniel Pahos
Age: 48
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 15
Position/title and company: Franchise Owner, Home Instead Senior Care
I joined Leadership Vestavia because: I wanted to be more involved in helping to shape Vestavia’s future for generations to come.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: To reinstate a new and current version of V3, as it was so instrumental in helping to communicate resident needs and desires to local government, helping to eliminate the disconnect between local government and its residents.
Best thing about my city: Our high quality education system, parent involvement, beautiful scenery and quality of life.
Scott Register
Age: 42
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 42
Position/title and company: Host of “Reg’s Coffee House” and “The Morning Blend with Reg” on Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3FM and Head of A&R for ThinkIndie Distribution.
I joined Leadership because: It’s a great opportunity to take part in my city and learn more about its history and how it operates. Plus, it’s my civic duty.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: To continue and enhance the retail and entertainment options in the city.
Best thing about my city: The strong sense of community. Love calling it home.
David D. Martin
Age: 42
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 8
Position/title and company: President, NationView, LLC
I joined Leadership: To be more active in my community and become a better leader.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: to reach out to the citizens living in recently annexed areas of our city to foster a stronger sense of community and encourage involvement.
Best thing about my city: Friendly people.
Keith Johns
Age: 51
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 15
Position/title and company: Director of Energy & Sustainability, CBRE
I joined Leadership because: The program offers a chance to contribute to this community and others in a more informed way, and with better skills.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: To integrate sustainability thinking into existing operations and long-range planning.
Best thing about my city: The positive direction it is heading.
Shanta Craig Owens
Age: 35
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 2
Position/title and company: District Judge, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama
I joined Leadership because: I enjoy meeting people, and I am particularly interested in leadership institutions where I can meet people working to make a positive difference.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: To address the growing population at the high school.
Best thing about my city: Family-oriented communities.
Cecilia A. Crenshaw
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 9
Position/title and company: Financial Analyst III, Regions Bank
I joined Leadership because: I wanted to be equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to make a difference in the quality of life and continued development of Vestavia Hills.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: To recruit new business to Vestavia Hills as well as help to sustain the existing businesses in the city.
Best thing about my city: Its residents.
Shera Grant
Age: 35
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 2
Position/title: Deputy Public Defender, Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office
I joined Leadership because: I want to become involved in my community and meet others who share that same commitment.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: To aid the school system’s ability to handle the city’s growing population.
Best thing about my city: Southern hospitality for all.
Rhonda Smith
Age: 41
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 11
Position/title and company: Account Executive for Starnes Publishing
(Vestavia Voice, Village Living, 280 Living, Hoover Sun and The Homewood Star)
I joined Leadership because: a dear friend was in last year’s class and enjoyed it and spoke of it with such enthusiasm that it made me excited to learn more about this wonderful city where I am raising my family.
Best thing about my city: The people.
Tracy R. Davis
Age: 41
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 12
Position/title and company: Member of Hand Arendall, LLC, Attorney
I joined Leadership because: I joined Leadership Vestavia Hills in order to acquire the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to foster the leader and entrepreneur inside myself.
Best thing about my city: The City recognizes the importance of education and has afforded a premium education to its resident children.
Lee Baker
Age: 30
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 1
Position/title and company: Senior Financial Analyst, Asset Management & Underwriting at Medical Properties Trust
I joined Leadership because: of my interest in finding ways to be involved in and better our community.
Best thing about my city: Access to one of the best school systems in the state (and the nation).
Reynolds Anderson
Age: 30
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 2
Position/title and company: Manager-Customer Service Support with Alagasco
I joined Leadership because: I wanted to learn more about opportunities to engage the city and meet other like minded people within my community.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: To convert all municipal vehicles to natural gas. It’s produced here in the U.S., it’s cheaper and it’s a clean energy.
Best thing about my city: Its people, the schools and the community feel.
Charles A. “Chip” McCallum III
Age: 54
Years lived in Vestavia Hills: 40
Position/title and company: Managing Partner, McCallum Hoaglund Cook & Irby, LLP
I joined Leadership because: It’s a great opportunity to become aware of the social and economic issues impacting the City and to build relationships.
As mayor, my first order of business would be: Explore utilizing cooperative purchasing opportunities through the U.S. Community Program.
Best thing about my city: The enthusiasm of its residents.