SAFFORD — The newest group of leaders are ready to take their place in Graham County.
The monthly mixer for the Graham County Chamber of Commerce featured the induction of Gila Valley Leadership cohort 19 Thursday at The Venue on Main.
“You never know what door you just opened by being a part of this cohort,” said Eric Bejarano, chair of the Gila Valley Leadership Alumni Board, “and I would caution you that, when that door opens, at least look inside and see what’s there for you.”
The keynote speaker was Safford City Manager John Cassella, a member of cohort 15 and outgoing member of the Alumni Board. He spoke about his growth as a leader and how life plans don’t always match life outcomes.
He also told the graduates that good leaders don’t always make everyone happy.
“So get ready for the fact that you may tell people things that they’re not going to like. And that goes with the territory,” Cassella said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Cohort 19 included:
- Amy Marie Sawyer – Global Parts Source
- Andrew Boline – Bureau of Land Management
- Brandy Burnett – Mt. Graham Safe House
- Christa Gallegos – Mount Graham Regional Medical Center
- Dave Driver – Mount Graham Regional Medical Center
- Gianna Ciancimino – OneAz Credit Union
- Isabella Schnebly – Graham County Attorney’s Office
- Jessica Guzman – City of Safford
- Justin Rockhill – Southwest Gas Corporation
- Kathleen Collins – COUNTRY Financial
- Kevin Ticer – Safford Lions Club
- Lamoni Mora – Bureau of Land Management
- Marion Hastings – Safford Lions Club
- Mindi Marshall – City of Safford
- Nate Freddy – Label Masters-Fresh Prints of Arizona
- Randy Pozo – Seek Legacy Real Estate
- Sue Ciancimino – Gila Valley Samaritan Home
- Tom Herdman – Kempton’s 8th Ave Service
- Yesenia Gonzales – Eastern Arizona College
Sponsors for Thursday’s induction and the Gila Valley Leadership program include Keyhole Properties, Layton House Bed and Breakfast, El Charro Restaurant, Grammy’s Bake Shop, the Center for Intuitive Education, Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, Graham County and the City of Safford.
Applications for cohort 20 are now being accepted through July 27.
