BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Fourteen participants of the 2024 Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge (BRLC) met Friday, March 1, for a retreat at the Blowing Rock Conference Center to begin an eight-week program designed to help them become even more active as leaders in the Blowing Rock community.
The Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge is sponsored and produced by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. The program is designed to meet the Town’s growing need for the active participation of informed and educated leaders.
Leadership Challenge works to help participants gain a realistic understanding of how the community works and create an awareness of current local interests and issues.
The goal of the program is to identify potential leaders and provide them with the community information and encouragement needed to spur local action and involvement. The program is managed this year by Charles Hardin along with assistance from many of the alums of the previous year’s programs.
The teambuilding and leadership development will be conducted by Jim Street, Ridgeline Leadership. Jim, as an experienced corporate trainer, student leadership developer and group facilitator led the group through various exercises in team building, individual leadership reflection and other activities during the retreat.
Participants in the 2024 Leadership Challenge include Suzanne Stevens, Alyssa Medina, Melissa Boone, Lindsay Garcia, Susan Young, Holly Helmig, Stephanie Morgan, Rebecca Hall, J. D. Kern, Kristen Brown, Joe Lynch, Steven Lacey, Jocelyn Lacey, and Lisa Alexander.
The Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge is working to help these participants gain a realistic understanding of how the community works and help create an awareness of local current interests. Graduates are challenged to apply their talents throughout the community by becoming a part of community organizations, including public boards, nonprofit groups, and civic organizations. –More— Page 2 Press Release Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
“The mission of the program is the continued improvement of the local community,” Charles Hardin, President / CEO of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. “The profile of Blowing Rock and Watauga County is rapidly changing. Today’s leaders must have access to more timely information. Visits with community and government leaders during the upcoming sessions offer opportunities for participants to interact with those affecting change.”
“I was particularly thrilled with the diversity of participants and the desire to learn that they brought with them. They each seemed to want to grow and be challenged. The comments I heard were very positive,” alumni facilitator, Cathy Barker explained. “I think these participants will want to serve their community as volunteers and board members as they work to make Blowing Rock a better place in which to live, work and play. That’s what it is all about and I think we are well underway in doing that.”
On March 1, the participants also heard from Brian Crutchfield, retired economic developer and active community organizer. Brian has been involved with Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge since 2007. Brian led the group through the program concepts as well as some valuable insights in community economic development.
Alumni of the program attended lunch and Sarah Goff led a discussion on the 2019 class project which was the school restroom built at Blowing Rock School in 2021.
Representatives from the class of 2022 shared the lessons learned from their class project which was the renovation of the Blowing Rock School Cafeteria deck and landscaping. Other class alumni shared what they would do differently and tips on how to decide on a class project.
One of the requirements of admittance into the program is participating in a class project designed to enhance the lives of local residents or answer a need that was learned in the program.
A series of seven, half-day sessions provides information about local businesses and include tours of area businesses, organizations and facilities. The sessions are planned by experts and leaders in the topic area and will offer information and thoughtful analysis. The activities and courses are designed to stimulate interest and awareness and will include an opportunity to interact with the speakers and discussion leaders.
Alumni of prior years assist in the planning, preparation, hosting and facilitation of each session. The Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge is a partnership effort of several local organizations.
Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is the lead local sponsor and is responsible for overall coordination of the program and the selection of participants. Funding comes from individual tuition, corporate sponsorship, and a generous grant from The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock.
The Challenge only occurs every two years. If you missed this year but you are interested in participating in 2026, please contact the Chamber as seats fill quickly.
