It’s one of the most celebrated of all anniversaries—the 25th, also known as silver—and Leadership Anne Arundel is joining the club. The 501c3 organization, which offers several leadership programs, forums, and speaker series, graduated its inaugural class in 1994 and looks forward to the completion of its latest flagship program next month. Incorporated on March 24th, 1993, Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) was founded by a band of committed citizens who wanted to create a platform to develop community leaders. The original mission then, as it is now, was “to broaden the base of existing and emerging leaders, county-wide, through the development of individual interests, conviction, influence, and confidence for the greater good of Anne Arundel County.”
Good things come to those who…attend trade conferences. The genesis of LAA took shape in the early 1990s, shortly after Jeanette Wessel—who, at the time, was the executive director of the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce (then-known as the Anne Arundel Trade Council Board)—attended an Institute for Executive Directors. There, a new topic was discussed; how can local business chambers help develop future community leaders? Wessel brought this question and several ideas back to her chamber, which immediately went to task exploring options. A steering committee was formed, consisting of Arthur Ebersberger, Paula McDermott, Ed Ladd, Pat Wathen, and Wessel.
Chaired by locally-renowned businessman and philanthropist Ebersberger, now 72, this new committee would spend several months conceptualizing the program that would become Leadership Anne Arundel. To make LAA a reality, the committee focused on five areas: structure, funding, program development, selection process, and marketing. Ebersberger, who has a sharp wit and detailed memory of each step of the process, acknowledges the many individuals who stepped up to join the effort. “The structure and long-range plan were developed by me and Fred Delavan,” he explains. “Funding was handled by Ed Wayson, who established the Founders Group consisting of Reliable Contracting, The Buck Foundation, Chaney Enterprises, Anne Arundel Health System, C&P Telephone, Eastern Waste Industries, Inc., and Blumenthal, Wayson, Offutt, Klos and Delavan, P.C.—all of whom put up the money to get the program started.
“Ed also suggested that we obtain session sponsors to create more cash flow. The program was put together by Pat Rouche and her committee. They developed the agendas for the sessions, evaluation forms, experts per topic, and established group project guidelines.”
Thus, a comprehensive leadership program synthesizing these civil fields was developed, whereby the class would spend one full day, each month for 10 months (September through June), learning and training on site with professionals in each field. For example, there is a “Government Day,” spent in the state legislative buildings with local representatives. There is an “Education and Technology Day;” an “Environment Day;” and so on and so forth. Each class is also required to identify a community problem, and design and implement an action plan to help resolve the problem. Through this collaboration, class members learn and practice leadership skills, while helping their communities. “Our first executive director, Nancy Wilson, worked for free until our first class was put in place,” Ebersberger says. “She really believed in our vision and mission, and worked closely with the steering committee to further LAA’s success. She helped develop additional resources for the organization and refined the programs.”
Ebersberger continues, “The selection process [of class participants] was put together by Ed Ladd and his committee. And marketing was put together by Ralph Crosby and his firm. LAA should always remember these individuals and their firms for giving their time, energy, talent, and money to make LAA a reality.”
That reality would come to fruition in the fall of 1993, when the inaugural class was selected and flagship program launched. Thirty-five participants were carefully vetted and very excited about the journey that they saw ahead. Attorney David Plott was a member of this first class. “We were the LAA pioneers and enjoyed every minute of it,” he says. “Too many of us live compartmentalized lives where our work, community, social, and family lives are separate. LAA helps integrate those compartments of your life and connects you with motivated, bright, and interesting people from many diverse backgrounds.”
In the years since, 23 more flagship classes have graduated (another joins next month) and LAA has expanded its line of programs to include a neighborhood leadership academy, executive leadership series, women’s executive forum, high school leadership experiences, and leadership speaker series.
Lisa Hillman, a graduate of the 1995 class, connected with LAA when her boss at the time—the CEO of Anne Arundel Medical Center, Chip Doordan—asked if she’d like to be the hospital’s representative that year. “It was an honor to be asked to attend a leadership program by a leader I respected so much,” she says. Of her year in the program, Hillman recalls two vivid anecdotes that have stuck with her.
“The police ride-along program,” Hillman explains. “On a Friday night, I joined a county officer as he counseled a woman whose husband had stolen the piano keys from her piano. He’d just ripped the keyboard out of this stunning baby grand in a fit of anger against her. It made me realize the odd, unpredictable situations our police officers can face, and how they need to be social workers, counselors, and therapists as much as law enforcers. Secondly, a member of our class spoke about racial prejudice. He was an African-American male with a high-level position in a local tech company. He described a ‘ticking sound’ that was in his head constantly wherever he went—a ticking sound that followed him, reminding him to be wary, on guard, and cautious as he went through the world. That has haunted me.”
Exposure to uncomfortable situations and learning how to navigate them is a current that flows through the program. It often has a profound effect on class members, but can produce a very positive experience. There’s also a lot of fun involved.
Tanya St. John, a graduate of last year’s class, loved Government Day. “Of course, I’ve seen School House Rock’s ‘I’m Just a Bill,’” she says. “So, I got the gist of how a bill is proposed and becomes law, or not, but actually role-playing through the process made it come alive and seem more important and relevant. It also made me realize, that, as individuals, we really do have the power to make changes in our community.”
Rouche’s committee targeted the following areas that LAA participants needed to be exposed to, and to understand the interrelation of each:
Health and human services Economic development Law enforcement Government and politics Environmental awareness Education and training Social needs Cultural diversity Criminal justice Media/communication Culture and the arts
John Camden, class of 2013, explains the community issue his class addressed. “We were a collaborative group, who quickly built solid relationships and cared about the communities we serve,” he says. “We had fun by polling several important community issues. I participated with the Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County—Bike AAA—program. My classmate, Jon Korin, led the charge for our group as we set out to determine what efforts were already underway to promote biking in Anne Arundel County. After contacts with city, county, and state officials as well as clubs, schools, bike shops, and others, we found that the county lacked a bicycle advocacy group. Today, this nonprofit still stands strong.”
In the 25 years of LAA, many successful projects and nonprofits have been founded through the diligent collaboration of class members. “Bike AAA,” “Teen Court,” “HeartSmart,” “Suits for Success,” “Pass, Pick & Play,” “Character Counts,” and “Musical Austist” are just a handful of the more than 50 projects launched by LAA classes.
Bess Langbein, former president of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County and LAA class of 2008, was new in her role as a county leader and says, “I wanted to take advantage of LAA’s curriculum to learn about issues and needs across the entire county, and make connections and friends with diverse leaders working to address them.”
For anyone on the fence about whether LAA is a fit for them, each graduate we spoke with was exuberant about the experience and encourages anyone with a desire to lead by example and improve their community to explore the programs. “If you want to play a leadership role in Anne Arundel County, this is a no brainer,” Langbein says. “It is a quick and effective way to immerse yourself in the needs and opportunities in our county and figure out your role.”
Camden agrees and suggests, “Go check out the LAA website and in the directory, find a graduate to talk with about their experience. LAA continues to create impactful community contributions year after year.”
“I proudly wear my LAA graduate pin regularly,” Camden continues. “It is a symbol of what we accomplished here in the community. It continues to catapult many great conversations for me as I interact with other business leaders. LAA has allowed me the opportunity to expand my professional network more than I ever imagined.”
“If you want to play a leadership role in Anne Arundel County, this is a no brainer, it is a quick and effective way to immerse yourself in the needs and opportunities in our county and figure out your role.”
Earning the LAA pin is a significant milestone for each class member. It signifies the completion of a year-long commitment to learn and grow as a leader, but also a passion for community building. Eric Edstrom, a 2003 graduate who has served as LAA executive director since 2011 and will be relinquishing his post this year, says it’s been quite a ride. “2003 Flagship year was an eye opener,” he says. “Becoming director in 2011 was a thrill and leaving in 2019 is both sad and joyful. LAA is a great organization, was a great place to work, and has some great graduates!”
Ebersberger notes, “It is said that a leader is the one who makes things happen that would not happen otherwise. I would add that they need to be blessed with being surrounded by great people who care about their community and have the skills to carry out the vision and mission mentioned above.”
Thankfully, Ebersberger, Edstrom, and a strong-willed group of peers and graduates 25 years in the making, have created a legacy of leadership that perpetually builds upon itself to achieve a better future for our communities.
