The Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) kicked off its 23rd year of training Jan. 13 with a retreat held at Little River Golf and Resort

This year's class has 20 participants. >MCLI is being led this year by Christy Cates, of First Health of the Carolinas, and Erik Stromberg, with GofNet, both graduates of the 2010 MCLI class.

"There is a universal need for leadership," a Chamber news release said. "We only have to look at today's headlines internationally, nationally, regionally or locally to know that this is true.

"While the Chamber may not be able to impact the world issues, it can certainly impact those issues that occur in Moore County by developing effective local leaders."

The Moore County Chamber of Commerce understood this in 1989, when MCLI was developed. > The goal is to develop a broader base of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership and work for positive community change in Moore County. To date, there are more than 400 MCLI graduates.

The objectives of MCLI are:

n Understanding Moore County.

n Expanding business and personal networks.

n Building leadership skills.

n Finding a place to serve within the community. >

Class participants will have the opportunity to explore various leadership topics and engage in team-building exercises. In addition they will review and discuss local issues affecting education, government, agriculture, tourism, and health care.

An important part of MCLI is developing class projects that address community issues raised during the year.

The 2011 MCLI class participants are:

n Joseph Brown, Sandhills Community College

n Matthew Chriscoe, Pine-hurst LLC

n Kimberly Daniels, The Country Bookshop

n Lisa Fagan, Branch Banking and Trust Co.-Pinehurst

n Floyd Fritz, village of Pinehurst

n Vanessa Galloway, Sandhills Community College

n Dana Garner, Sarvis Management and Real Estate Services Inc.

n Donna Gephart, Moore County Schools

n Jarrod Gouty, Branch Banking & Trust Co.-Pinehurst main office

n Ginny Kelly, The Pilot

n Michael Kemple, Hireease Inc.

n Drew Maerz, Moore County Schools

n Peggy Manuel, Moore County Chamber of Commerce

n Kathie Parson, The Fidelity Bank.

n Marybeth Poplyk, FirstHealth Home Health

n Karen Reese May, Keller Williams Realty

n John Robbins, Sandhills Community College

n Rachael Sinkes, Aging Outreach Services

n Dwight Threet, Sand-hills Community College

n Laura Tomanelli, Pinehurst LLC

"MCLI helps participants understand the dynamics of effective leadership and decision making," said Patrick Coughlin president and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce. >"Participants study our community infrastructure, analyze their own individual leadership styles/roles and further develop their leadership skills.

"MCLI challenges emerging and existing leaders in our community to expand their professional network, develop a systemic understanding of how our community works, and examine potential solutions to the important issues that impact Moore County's future."