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can make it easier for you. Please send your email

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Mark your calendars

for the 2011 GLLA

Stewardship Event:

September 21 5-9 PM

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ELP Alumni continu-

ous learning

GLLA Stars in the

News

2010 Study Tour to

Spain

ISSUE 02 MARCH 2011

2

Kelly Leach, a 2010 Leader-

ship Advancement Program

graduate, has been named

WK20 Radio “Famer of the

Week.” Kelly is a forth gener-

ation farmer, and has man-

aged Avalon Farms with her

family for the past eleven

years (since her graduation

from Michigan State). Avalon

Farms has been in the family

since 1932 and the focus of

the operation has changed to

meet consumer demands.

Over time the farm has been

a dairy operation, finished

hogs and grown seed corn,

commercial corn and soy-

beans. Avalon Farms is locat-

ed in Climax and they cur-

rently raise hydroponic to-

matoes and lettuce. Kelly’s

advice for newcomers to the

agriculture industry is to fo-

cus on community building:

“It is a time consuming job

but also a wonderful way to

raise a family. Be prepared to

communicate with your

neighbors and get involved

with your community.”

A group of several 2009 and

2010 Emerging Leadership Program

participants have created a forum

to continue to develop their leader-

ship skills. The group is made up of

MDNR staff that meet on a regular

basis to share their experiences in

applying their leadership training in

their professional and personal

lives. The members of GLLA contin-

uing education group provide one

another with support and encour-

agement in each other’s individual

journey. They intend to continue to

learn from one another through

open and honest communication.

During the meetings, the

group holds a roundtable discus-

sion that allows individuals to share

how they are continuing to grow as

leaders. During the meeting held in

early December, a central theme of

this discussion was the challenges

that have arisen as a result of Divi-

sion changes within the Depart-

ment. Members emphasized the

need for leadership during a time

when the state’s situation is very

fluid. Individuals use this discus-

sion to share which elements of

their leadership training have been

applicable in taking on pre-

sent situations in their work-

place.

The group also finds inspi-

ration through reading and dis-

cussing a book. They are currently

discussing Lynda McLyman’s “Wise

Leadership.” Sharing important

quotes form the book is a popular

activity during meetings, and the

members agreed that reading such

a book has a sort of “calming ef-

fect” with all the other state activi-

ties occurring.

Looking ahead, the group

hopes to continue holding general

discussions and pulling ideas from

books and personal experiences.

Several members have also volun-

teered to reach out for a mentoring

opportunity with others and plan on

sharing this experience with the

rest of the group. With each other’s

support, the GLLA continuing edu-

cation group will strive to apply

their training to their everyday

lives. Current members include:

Barbara Avers, Tim Cwalinski, Amy

Derosier, Jason Haines, Matt Hall,

Rhonda Klann, Mary Nardo, Sue

Tangora, and Steve Chadwick.

GLLA Continuing Education Group

Farmer

of the Week: Kelly Leach

Kelly Leach,

Avalon Farms

3

Grounds Supervisor Cultivates Leadership Potential

Albion College grounds supervisor Mark Frever has

cultivated not only the soil on campus but his leadership

potential as he recently completed the Great Lakes Leader-

ship Academy's (GLLA) Advanced Leadership Program.

Mark Frever makes a point during a session about

renewable energy in Michigan. It was held at the Michigan

Alternative & Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon. Frev-

er, whose leadership on campus was recognized last fall

through completion of the standards for certification in the

Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program,

learned of the leadership academy at a Michigan Turfgrass

Foundation Meeting. The GLLA gave Frever and his class-

mates an understanding of issues affecting Michigan com-

munities and industries, the tools they need to influence

decision making at all lev-

els of society, and net-

works to promote action on

the challenges facing the

state.

"This was the ex-

perience of a lifetime to

spend 18 months traveling

to 22 venues around the

state," Frever said. "We

went to communities and

delved into local issues."

Frever said after initial lessons on leadership devel-

opment and trust building exercises, the 22 academy par-

ticipants broke into small groups where they focused on

issues relating to energy, transportation, and land. Frever's

group tackled the renewable energy and how it ties into the

nation's energy grid. The academy's final phase took the

participants to Spain for an international look at land use,

transportation and alternative energy.

"I learned a lot about myself and communication

was one of my areas where I needed to improve," Frever

said. "I learned about accepting others and there is still

room for me to grow in that area.

"I believe

that pioneering lead-

ership is courageous

and influences posi-

tive change," he add-

ed. "The best leaders

build organizational

cultures that inspire

people to work more effectively and contribute their per-

spective and innovations. Great leaders have the capacity to

work with a wide range of perspectives, social identity

groups, and ethnicities."

Among the lessons the leadership academy partici-

pants learned is the desire elected leaders have for feed-

back from constituents. Frever was astonished by the lack

of citizen involvement when the group dropped in for office

visits with state legislators in Lansing.

"We don't have a common vision among the popu-

lation to drive policy makers in Michigan, and the oppor-

tunity exists to make a difference with any issue," Frever

said. "I visited the offices of state legislators for hours, and

I was the only one around. Our elected leaders need feed-

back in the form of e-mail, letters, or even trips to Lan-

sing."

Though he officially graduated from the leadership

academy Sept. 18, Frever noted he hopes his participation

in the program will never formally end.

"Participating in the leadership academy opened so

many doors and broadened my network," Frever said. "I

don't want to be one of those people who accept what is

given to them. I want to be among the leaders in the state

and try to make a positive impact."

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Albion Communications recognizes Mark Fever, LAP 2010 graduate

This article is reprinted from

Albion College News, a

newsletter by the Albion

Communications Office:

http://www.albion.edu/news

Mark Fever

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Welcome New GLLA Participants

2011 Emerging Leaders Program Christy Clark Office of the Great Lakes Constance Conklin Michigan Department of Community Health Joaquina Delgado GLLA/Stakeholder Relations, MSU Jacqueline Fenner MSU Fisheries and Wildlife Corinna Goodman Shannon Hanna Michigan Department of Wildlife Joseph Kelpinski MDA Environmental Stewardship Jason Kimbrough USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Gregory Kinser Michigan Department of Parks Julia Kirkwood Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Brian Langseth MSU Fisheries Center Dan Lord Michigan Department of Development Michelle Lute Michigan State University Daniel Mullen Michigan Department of Parks Michael Neault MDA Animal Industry Bethany Prykucki Michigan State University Extension

Dixie Sandborn Michigan State University Extension Jeffery Schaner MDA Animal Industry Kiira Siitari Michigan State University Karla Stratton Michigan Department of Community Health Laura Zeldernrust Vita Plus Corporation

2011-2012 Leadership Advancement Program Kevin Besey Michigan Department of Agriculture Meghan Bonfiglio Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office Andrea Boughton Northrop Grumman Information Sys-tems Lisa Brush Stewardship Network David Carpenter GreenStone Farm Credit Services Dorcia Chaison MSU College of Agriculture and Natu-ral Resources Robin Clark Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa In-dians Richard Dobbins North Concord Farms Abbey Dorr Cass County Conservation District

Jeff Haarer Michigan Department of Agriculture Ritchie Harrison Jefferson East Business Association Sonia Joseph Joshi Michigan Sea Grant Extension/ NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health Jeffrey Kala SKW Ranch Michael McClellan Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Luke Meerman Grassfields LLC Amna Osman Michigan Department of Community Health Shannon Perry Detroit Parent Network Christine Roman Antrim Conservation District Christopher Sadler Jackson District Library Timothy Schriener Michigan State Park Sarah Szurpicki Great Lakes Urban Exchange Stacy Welling Michigan Department of Natural Re-sources Sandra Yu Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice

Why not contact a new participant and welcome them to GLLA?

5

Roger Veli-

quette, a Lead-

ership Ad-

vancement Pro-

gram graduate,

will be putting

his new leader-

ship skill to

work as co-

owner of the

Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery. Roger

is buying the business with second generation

fruit growers, Matt Gregory, Mark Miezio, and An-

drew Gregory.

The new owners expressed their enthusiasm

for being part of something that helps to achieve

community goals focused on sustainability and

growth: “The positive economic contribution that

viticulture and wine making add to the tourist and

agricultural industry is definitely noticeable in the

Traverse area” says Roger, “and we want to be part

of that.” The winery staff will continue to welcome

the public, Thursday through Saturday, at its tast-

ing room located at the corner of Hilltop Road and

M22 in Leelanau County. Wines made from Ries-

ling, Chardonnay, Bianca, Cabernet Franc, Pinot

Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Regent are available to

sample and purchase. Roger completed the GLLA

Advanced Leadership Program in September 2010

Congratulations to Mr. Steve DeBrabander.

Steve has accepted the position as section man-

ager for the Grants Management Section in the

Administration Division of Michigan Department

of Natural Resources. In this position Steve will

be managing the Michigan Natural Resource

Trust Fund (MNRTF), Land and Water Conserva-

tion Fund (LWCF), the Local Public Recreation

Facilities Fund (LPRFF) and the Marine Safety

Grant Programs. The MNRTF, LWCF and LPRFF

are grant programs available to local and state

governmental agencies for the purposes of land

acquisition and development for public outdoor

recreation.

Steve brings to the position a great reputa-

tion for working with DNRE partners and build-

ing and leading great teams. Most recently he

has been supervisor of the State Trail Opera-

tions and Construction Unit in the Forest Man-

agement Division where he has had much suc-

cess in managing the activities and grant pro-

grams of that unit.

Steve has excellent experience and expertise

in land management and property rights and

has served as liaison to the Michigan Natural

Resources Trust Fund. He has been a key player

in DNR’s Land Review Team and several other

committees and work groups. Earlier in his ca-

reer, he served the program areas of water pro-

tection, abandoned mine reclamations, and sand

dune protection, and as a forest land adminis-

trator. Steve is a graduate of Michigan State Uni-

versity and also a 2010 graduate of the Leader-

ship Advancement Program.

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A Look Back on the 2010 International Study Seminar

2009-2010 Leadership Advancement Program participants explore Spain

The Leadership Advancement Program cap-

stone, a two-week intensive international study

in Spain, provided participants with perspective

on the current issues facing the country’s lead-

ers. Excursions focused on understanding policy

related to the three issue team’s subject areas:

Sustainable Energy (including wind, solar and bio

-energy), Land Use (with emphasis on regional

collaboration, and Transportation (passenger and

freight rail).

The group traveled to Madrid, Seville, Ante-

quera, Granada, Jerez, Malaga and the Spanish

countryside to explore agriculture production

and trade policy, natural resource and environ-

mental management, and business and manu-

facturing issues. In urban environments, the

group held discussions with leaders from gov-

ernment, NGO’s and manufacturing industries

including: TALGO Train Building Co, Institute of

Energy Savings and Diversification, Green Peace,

US Embassy and Foreign Ag Service. The discus-

sions ranged from land use and environmental

issues to Spain’s exports and trade policy.

The group also ventured into rural Spain to

visit a winery and vineyard, an olive oil coopera-

tive and Spain’s famous windmills. The group

got a taste of Spanish culture by visiting Alham-

bra Palace, Cathedral of Seville, Royal Alcazar

Palace, open air markets and a Flamenco dancing

performance. They also tried Spain’s famous se-

lection in wine, tapas, olives and olive oil, and

Moorish style food.

The cohort finished their trip with a guided

tour of the Sierra Nevada National Park. While at

the park, participants assisted in creating a path-

way to provide public access to a previously un-

reachable area of the botanical gardens.

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Save the Date for ILAC!

August 26-27, 2011

ILAC is a conference for alumni of leadership programs (including GLLA) through-

out the United States, Canadian Provinces, and countries around the world. As a

graduate of GLLA you are invited to attend.

Project CENTRL Alumni are proudly hosting ILAC next year on August 24-27th at

the Hilton El Conquistador in Tucson. As IAPAL’s legacy of leadership continues to

grow, so does the opportunity to network with fellow leadership programs at

ILAC. The Hilton Conquistador is located in the beautiful Catalina Mountain foothills

of the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

For more information and to stay posted on developments, visit the ILAC website

at: www.ilac-conference.com. You can also forward any questions or comments.

Upcoming Leadership Opportunities

SAVE THE DATE

GLLA 2011 Stewardship Event

September 21, 2011 5-9 PM

Meet with friends and alumni of GLLA, MALP and KFSP. Celebrate the next Lead-

ership for the Common Good Award winner.

8

Newsletter

Contributions

Do you have any sugges-

tions or questions?

Would you like to share an

accomplishment or other

news with the rest of the

group?

Send your submissions to:

wunschad@msu.edu

ISSUE 02 MARCH 2011

WINTER (FRONT PG): http://kphotos.imagekind.com

GRAND RAPIDS (5): http://farm2.static.flickr.com

SPAIN STUDY SEMINAR: provided by participants

PHOTO CREDIT

April 25-28, 2011, Hastings, MI

ELP Session II - Pierce Cedar Creek

April 5-7, 2011, Cassopolis, MI

LAP Session IV – Edward Lowe Foundation

Upcoming Events

Great Lakes Leadership Academy

109 Agriculture Hall

East Lansing, MI 48824-1039

517/ 432.8685 phone

517/ 353-5406 fax

www.glla.msu.edu