The Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) has kicked off its 24th year of training with a retreat Jan. 11-12 at Homewood Suites by Hilton.

This year's class is being led this year by Dana Garner, of Sarvis Management and Real Estate Services Inc., and Kathie Parson, of Mark Wesley Parson Inc., both graduates of the 2011 MCLI class.

There is a universal need for leadership, according to the Moore County Chamber of Commerce. The local Chamber understood this in 1989, when the Moore County Leadership Institute 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, MCLI has more than 400 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 2012 MCLI class participants are:

n Hannah Campbell, home care specialist, Family Medical Supply

n Marcy Cooper, principal, Southern Pines Elementary School

n Phyllis Dowdy, director of records and registration, Sandhills Community College

n Charles Edward Campbell, lieutenant, Southern Pines Police Department

n Shane English, senior vice president/city executive, Four Oaks Bank

n John Frye, director of financial services, village of Pinehurst

n Michael Harrell, real estate broker, Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders Real Estate

n Kerry Hooper, multimedia advertising/classified sales manager, The Pilot

n James Maloy, front office assistant manager, Pinehurst, LLC

n Gregory Martin, business services officer, BB&T

n The Rev. Carl Matthews Naylor, director of mission outreach, St. Joseph of the Pines

n Yvette McCormick, Restore manager, Habitat for Humanity of NC Sandhills

n Audrey Moriarty, executive director, Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives

n Carrie Neal, CFO, Moore County

n Anthony Price, CEO, Moore Free Care Clinic

n Tamera Toogood, project director, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions

n Candace Turk, principal, West Pine Middle School

n Ginney Webb, mortgage loan originator, First Bank

"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."