Promoting nonpartisan leadership among elected and appointed Southern state government officials.
The Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) is for current elected or appointed members of state legislatures and judicial and executive branches. The five-day workshop event takes selected CALS scholars through activities and instruction focusing on the program’s four central components—communication, conflict resolution, consensus building, and critical decision making. It’s a must-do for any state professional looking to reinforce and refine these crucial skills.
Completion of the program ultimately helps provide the public with highly-skilled, educated, and confident state leaders.
2024 Program Dates
October 20-24, Nashville, TN
Say Hello to the Class of 2024 DOWNLOAD THE CALS 2024 BROCHUREProgram Liaison
Jazlyn Jones
Programs Associate
About CALS
CALS is a leadership development program—not a conference—that provides a unique opportunity to hone your leadership skills. Participants are expected to attend all sessions and engage with classmates and presenters.
CALS brings together Southern state officials from three branches of government in a strictly nonpartisan environment. The class size is capped at 30 maximum state officials to foster connections among classmates.
How do I apply?
Applicants must complete the application form, provide two letters of recommendation, one from a current supervisor and one from a current or former colleague or supervisor, and submit a resume, bio, and responses to three brief essay questions. The deadline to apply for the CALS Class of 2024 has passed. Applications for the Class of 2025 will open in January 2025!
Who’s eligible?
New and mid-career state elected or appointed executive, legislative, and judicial branch officials serving in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Attendance at all CALS events is limited to selected state officials. Spouses, guests, and children are not permitted to attend or accompany participants to the program.
What’s the cost?
Full scholarships are provided to those selected, covering the cost of tuition, travel, lodging, and meals.
Where can I learn more?
For specific inquiries, please call (404) 464-5203 or email Jazlyn Jones.
What Do Alumni Say?
“CSG South did such an amazing job preparing this top of the line conference. I am very appreciative of all your hard work and efforts. Your attention to detail to ensure our best experience was remarkable and unmatched. Thanks a million!”Representative Marie Woodson, Florida, CALS Class of 2022
“This was one of the best leadership programs I’ve ever been in. It was worth every second of my time and I feel I’ve gained so much information I can take home and use. “Anonymous, CALS Class of 2022
“GO! You’ll thank me later.”Representative Gil Gatch, South Carolina, CALS Class of 2021
“The CALS program is an excellent and intensive four-day leadership experience. I think the two biggest lessons learned for me are first, that leadership is essentially the ability to communicate. To be a successful leader, you have to be able to communicate your vision across mixed generational audiences that not only view the world from differing perspectives, but who communicate through different means and media. The second thing is that legislators not only need to communicate well and respectfully with members of the opposite party, but should aspire to develop meaningful friendships across the aisle so that even on contentious issues on which we disagree, we maintain the ability to see issues from an opposing viewpoint.”Senator Warren Daniel, North Carolina, CALS Class of 2019
“The 2019 CALS program was an enlightening experience for me. Learning about the history and legacy of Winthrop Rockefeller, and actually getting to stay on his estate really set the tempo for the rest of the activities I participated in. The speakers had tremendous topics and insight on topics that captured my attention. I believe the information and knowledge I obtained will help me become a better leader in the Alabama Legislature and in my community. Thank you CALS for the great memories and experiences!”Representative Jeremy Gray, Alabama, CALS Class of 2019
Class Rosters
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Class of 2024
The 2024 CALS Program brought together an amazing group of 24 emerging government leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, and West Virginia. This year’s gathering took place at the beautiful Paris Landing State Park and Nashville, Tennessee.
The program wrapped up with a special graduation ceremony featuring the inspirational Diana Nyad as the keynote speaker. To top it all off, participants enjoyed an after-hours tour of the Tennessee State Capitol, where they learned more about our host state and its rich history.
Senator Jerry Alvord
Oklahoma
Senator Tonya Anderson
Georgia
Representative Joshua Cantrell
Oklahoma
Senator Jill Carter
Missouri
Delegate Kathie Hess Crouse
West Virginia
Senator Greg Elkins
Kentucky
Representative Tiffany Esposito
Florida
Representative Justis Gibbs
Mississippi
Representative Donna Givens
Alabama
Delegate Anitra Hamilton
West Virginia
Representative Erick Harris
Oklahoma
Representative Ellyn Hefner
Oklahoma
Representative Ashley Hudson
Arkansas
Senator Steve Jarvis
North Carolina
Delegate Dean Jeffries
West Virginia
Representative C. Travis Johnson
Louisiana
Representative Karen Lupton
Georgia
Representative Stetson Painter
Arkansas
Representative Troy Romero
Louisiana
Delegate Holly Seibold
Virginia
Representative Ginny Shaver
Alabama
Representative Amanda Swope
Oklahoma
Representative Grace Washington
Mississippi
Representative John Wyble
Louisiana
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Class of 2023
The 2023 CALS program brought 28 leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia to Paris Landing State Park and Nashville, Tennessee for training sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, social media practices, and communication skills.
After a tour of the Tennessee Capitol, the class graduated and had the pleasure of hearing from Missouri Senator Holly Thompson Rehder on courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Representative James Lomax
Alabama
Senator Keith Kelley
Alabama
General Counsel Taylor Nichols
Alabama Department of Finance
Alabama
Representative Kendra Moore
Arkansas
Representative Kimberly New
Georgia
Representative Lydia Glaize
Georgia
Representative Rey Martínez
Georgia
Representative Solomon Adesanya
Georgia
Representative John Hodgson
Kentucky
Representative Jonathan Dixon
Kentucky
Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman
Louisiana
Senator Glen Womack
Louisiana
Representative Matthew Willard
Louisiana
Senator Jeremy England
Mississippi
Representative Travis Wilson
Missouri
Representative Jennifer Balkcom
North Carolina
Senator Michael Lazzara
North Carolina
Representative Tim Reeder
North Carolina
Senator Ally Seifried
Oklahoma
Senator Kristen Thompson
Oklahoma
Representative Mark Tedford
Oklahoma
Representative Suzanne Schreiber
Oklahoma
Representative Heather Bauer
South Carolina
Representative Marvin Pendarvis
South Carolina
Representative Elaine Davis
Tennessee
Delegate Lori Dittman
West Virginia
Senator Vince Deeds
West Virginia
Delegate Wayne Clark
West Virginia
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Class of 2022
The 2022 CALS program included 25 leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. This year’s class was once again in Little Rock, Arkansas at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. The class was immersed during this 5 day workshop on topics such as leadership development, communication skills, media training, conflict resolution and the list goes on.
After a tour of the Arkansas Capitol, the class graduated and had the pleasure of hearing Arkansas Lt. Governor Tim Griffin speak on leadership survival skills.
Representative
Russell Bedsole
Alabama
Representative
Penni McClammy
Alabama
Representative
Debbie Wood
Alabama
Representative
Keith Brooks
Arkansas
Representative
Terri Anulewicz
Georgia
Representative
Mandisha Thomas
Georgia
Representative
Marie Woodson
Florida
Representative
Barbara Freiberg
Louisiana
Senator
Rod Hickman
Mississippi
Representative
Amber Baker
North Carolina
Senator
Amy Galey
North Carolina
Senator
Todd Johnson
North Carolina
Director of Governmental Affairs, Department of Labor
Julie Ryan
North Carolina
Representative
Bob Ed Culver
Oklahoma
Senator
John Haste
Oklahoma
Senator
Blake “Cowboy” Stephens
Oklahoma
Representative
Danny Sterling
Oklahoma
Representative
John King
South Carolina
Representative
Vincent Dixie
Tennessee
Representative
Dan Howell
Tennessee
Representative
Sam McKenzie
Tennessee
Senator
Dawn White
Tennessee
Director of Communications, Department of Tax
Heather Cooper
Virginia
Delegate
Briana Sewell
Virginia
Delegate
Chris Toney
West Virginia
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Class of 2021
The 2021 CALS program included leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The interactive sessions focused on topics including communication styles and group dynamics; managing conflict and difficult discussions; leading across generations; and building a culture of ethics and excellence.
Brandon P. Fleming, assistant debate coach at Harvard University and founder/CEO of the Harvard Diversity Project, delivered the closing keynote on how debate empowers emerging leaders.
Representative
Matt Simpson
Alabama
Representative
Ben Robbins
Alabama
Director of Labor
Ralph Hudson
Arkansas
Representative
Denise Garner
Arkansas
Senator
Sonya Halpern
Georgia
Representative
Rhonda Taylor
Georgia
Representative
Pamela Stevenson
Kentucky
Representative
Chris Turner
Louisiana
Representative
Jason Hughes
Louisiana
Representative
Zakiya Summers
Mississippi
Representative
Dirk Deaton
Missouri
Representative
Ingrid Burnett
Missouri
Senator
Norman Sanderson
North Carolina
Representative
Dick Lowe
Oklahoma
Senator
Julia Kirt
Oklahoma
Senator
Brent Howard
Oklahoma
Senator
Carri Hicks
Oklahoma
Representative
Annie McDaniel
South Carolina
Representative
Gil Gatch
South Carolina
Representative
Jesse Chism
Tennessee
Senator
Ghazala Hashmi
Virginia
Delegate
Riley Keaton
West Virginia
Delegate
Clay Riley
West Virginia
Senator
Patricia Rucker
West Virginia -
Class of 2019
The 2019 CALS program included leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The interactive sessions focused on topics including communication styles and group dynamics; managing conflict and difficult discussions; leading across generations; and building a culture of ethics and excellence.
Brandon P. Fleming, assistant debate coach at Harvard University and founder/CEO of the Harvard Diversity Project, delivered the closing keynote on how debate empowers emerging leaders.
Representative
Jeremy Gray
Alabama
Senator
Andrew Jones
Alabama
Senator
Jack Williams
Alabama
Representative
Spencer Hawks
Arkansas
Senator
Mark Johnson
Arkansas
Representative
Park Cannon
Georgia
Representative
Kim Schofield
Georgia
Representative
Nima Kulkarni
Kentucky
Senator
Phillip Wheeler
Kentucky
Representative
Otis L. Anthony
Mississippi
Representative
Sarah Unsicker
Missouri
Representative
Barbara Washington
Missouri
Senator
Warren Daniel
North Carolina
Representative
Nicole Miller
Oklahoma
Representative
Daniel Pae
Oklahoma
Representative
West Cox
South Carolina
Senator
Greg Hembree
South Carolina
Director of Legislative and External Affairs
Nathan James
State Board of Education
Tennessee
Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
Jessica Hendrickson
Department of General Services
Virginia
Senator
William J. Ihlenfeld
West Virginia
Delegate
Andrew Robinson
West Virginia -
Class of 2018
The 2018 CALS program included leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The training sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, social media practices, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
Participants convened at the Capital Hotel for the closing dinner. Adam Schrager, journalist and author, delivered the keynote speech on the leadership of former Colorado Governor Ralph Carr, who served from 1939 to 1943.
Representative
Rolanda Hollis
Alabama
Representative
LeAnne Burch
Arkansas
Senator
Trent Garner
Arkansas
Director
Marty Sullivan
Administrative Office of the Courts
Arkansas
Representative
Les Warren
Arkansas
Representative
Kamia Brown
Florida
Commissioner
Judy Fitzgerald
Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities
Georgia
Representative
Mike Glanton
Georgia
Representative
Jason Ridley
Georgia
State Archivist and Records Administrator
Beth Shields
Department of Libraries and Archives
Kentucky
Representative
Barbara Carpenter
Louisiana
Senator
Rick Ward
Louisiana
Senator
Juan Barnett
Mississippi
Representative
Kevin Ford
Mississippi
Representative
Peggy McGaugh
Missouri
Representative
Kevin Corbin
North Carolina
Representative
Cody Henson
North Carolina
Chief of Staff
Melinda Fruendt
Department of Rehabilitation Services
Oklahoma
Representative
Marcus McEntire
Oklahoma
Representative
Dennis Moss
South Carolina
Senator
Becky Duncan Massey
Tennessee
Representative
Rick Staples
Tennessee
Delegate
Sam Rasoul
Virginia -
Class of 2017
The 2017 CALS program included leaders from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The training sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, ethics, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
Participants convened at the Old Statehouse for the closing dinner. The closing keynote address on the importance of leadership in all levels of government and lessons from history was presented by Richard Norton Smith, celebrated historian and author.
Representative
Kenneth B. Ferguson
Arkansas
Representative
Lanny Fite
Arkansas
Representative
DeAnn Vaught
Arkansas
Representative
Randy Fine
Florida
Representative
Rhonda Burnough
Georgia
Representative
Scott Hilton
Georgia
Representative
Sheila Nelson
Georgia
Representative
Abe Hudson
Mississippi
Representative
Courtney Allen Curtis
Missouri
Representative
Bobbie Richardson
North Carolina
Representative
Rhonda Baker
Oklahoma
Senator
Micheal Bergstrom
Oklahoma
Representative
Claudia Griffith
Oklahoma
Representative
Tammy West
Oklahoma
Judge
Cassandra M. Williams
Oklahoma County
Oklahoma
Representative
Beth Bernstein
South Carolina
Representative
Patsy Hazlewood
Tennessee
Mr. Scott Sloan
Chief of Staff and General Counsel
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Tennessee
Representative
Jarvis Johnson
Texas -
Class of 2016
The 2016 CALS program included leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The training sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, social media practices, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
Participants convened at the Old Statehouse for the closing dinner. The closing keynote address on pursuing success and the importance of critical decision making was delivered by Commander John Herrington, retired United States Naval Aviator and former NASA astronaut.
Representative
Phillip Pettus
Alabama
Representative
Michelle Gray
Arkansas
Representative
Clarke Tucker
Arkansas
Chief Magistrate Judge
Glenda Dowling
Waycross Judicial Circuit
Georgia
Superior Court Judge
William Grady Hamrick III
Coweta Judicial Circuit
Georgia
Representative
Eddie Lumsden
Georgia
Chief Magistrate Judge
Mary Kathryn Moss
Chatham County
Georgia
Representative
Jarvis Dortch
Mississippi
Representative
Donna Pfautsch
Missouri
Representative
Stephen Ross
North Carolina
Mr. Kyle Coulter
Associate Legislative Affairs Director
Office of the Governor
Oklahoma
Representative
Jason Dunnington
Oklahoma
Representative
Casey Murdock
Oklahoma
Representative
Neal Collins
South Carolina
Representative
David Hawk
Tennessee
Speaker Pro Tempore
Bo Watson
Tennessee
Representative
Toni Rose
Texas
Delegate
Jennifer Boysko
Virginia
Delegate
Eileen Filler-Corn
Virginia -
Class of 2015
The 2015 CALS program included leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Several intense learning sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, social media practices, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
Participants convened at the Old Statehouse for the closing dinner. The closing keynote address was delivered by Mr. Nick Tasler, author of Decision Pulse.
Representative
Adline Clark
Alabama
Representative
Barbara Drummond
Alabama
Representative
Margie Wilcox
Alabama
Representative
Michael John Gray
Arkansas
Representative
Mathew Pitsch
Arkansas
Representative
John Corbett
Georgia
Judge
Leslie Jones
Georgia
Representative
Brian Prince
Georgia
Chief Superior Court Judge
Brenda Weaver
Appalachian Judicial Circuit
Georgia
Judge
Yvette Alexander
Baton Rouge City Court
Louisiana
Senator
Sollie Norwood
Mississippi
Representative
Tila Hubrecht
Missouri
Representative
Chad Caldwell
Oklahoma
Representative
Chris Kannady
Oklahoma
Representative
George Young
Oklahoma
Representative
Mary Gail Douglas
South Carolina
Representative
Cameron Sexton
Tennessee
Senator
Reginald Tate
Tennessee
Ms. Sandra Gill
Director of Policy, Consulting and Review
Department of General Services
Virginia -
Class of 2014
The 2014 CALS program included leaders from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Several intense learning sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, social media practices, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
Participants convened at the Governor’s Mansion for the closing dinner. The closing keynote address was delivered by Commander John Bennett Herrington, retired naval aviator and former NASA astronaut. Commander Herrington spoke to the class about overcoming obstacles and creating pathways to success.
Representative
Paul Lee
Alabama
Representative
David Whitaker
Arkansas
Judge
Simone Marstiller
First District Court of Appeal
Florida
Judge
Charles E. Auslander III
State Court of Athens-Clarke County
Georgia
Representative
Karen Bennett
Georgia
Representative
Virgil Fludd
Georgia
Representative
Gloria Frazier
Georgia
Judge
Velma Tilley
Bartow County Juvenile Court
Georgia
Chief Magistrate
Robert Turner
Houston County Magistrate Court
Georgia
Senator
Joe Bowen
Kentucky
Senator
Derrick Simmons
Mississippi
Senator
Paul LeVota
Missouri
Senator
Jeff Tarte
North Carolina
Representative
Raumesh Akbari
Tennessee
Representative
Eric Johnson
Texas
Senator
Daniel Hall
West Virginia
-
Class of 2013
The 2013 CALS program included leaders from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Several intense learning sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, social media practices, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
Participants convened at the Old Statehouse for the closing dinner and were welcomed by Mr. Shane Broadway, former Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and state Senator, and current director of the Department of Higher Education. The closing keynote address was delivered by Commander John Bennett Herrington, retired naval aviator and former NASA astronaut. Commander Herrington spoke to the class about overcoming obstacles and creating pathways to success.
Representative
Bill Gossage
Arkansas
Representative
Chris Richey
Arkansas
Representative
Kionne McGhee
Florida
Representative
Richard Jasperse
Georgia
Senator
Rick Jeffares
Georgia
Representative
Lynn Smith
Georgia
Senator
Jesse Stone
Georgia
Representative
Karla Drenner
Georgia
Senator
Troy Brown
Louisiana
Mr. Quentin L. Messer, Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Louisiana Economic Development
Lousiana
Representative
Lataisha Jackson
Mississippi
Senator
Robert Jackson
Mississippi
Representative
Gail McCann Beatty
Missouri
Mr. Luis Toledo
Assistant State Auditor
Office of the State Auditor
North Carolina
Representative
Tommy Hardin
Oklahoma
Senator
Randy McNally
Tennessee
Judge Robert Montgomery
Sullivan County Criminal Court
Tennessee
Representative
Yvonne Davis
Texas
Ms. Andrea Peeks
Deputy Director
Division of Engineering and Buildings
Department of General Services
Virginia
Delegate
Barbara Evans Fleischauer
West Virginia -
Class of 2012
The 2012 class comprised 17 emerging leaders from the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia
During the intensive three and a half day program, participants spent classroom time with experts in leadership development in the areas of communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision making. The CALS program serves as a step toward fostering connections among new and mid-career officials from the Southern region. Ultimately, the mission of the CALS program is to effectively equip leaders with skills to manage obstacles, explore and develop interpersonal skills, build coalitions and improve conflict resolution strategies in a benign and collegial environment.
Representative
Katrina Jackson
Louisiana
Senator
Albert Butler
Mississippi
Senator
Brice Wiggins
Mississippi
Senator
Maria Chappelle-Nadal
Missouri
Representative
Charles “Chuck” Gatschenberger
Missouri
Representative
Leonard “Jonas” Hughes IV
Missouri
Representative
Harry Warren
North Carolina
Representative-Elect
Kevin Matthews
Oklahoma
Judge
Kenneth Watson
District Court, Oklahoma County
Oklahoma
Representative
Mia Butler Garrick
South Carolina
Ms. Kela Thomas
Director
Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
South Carolina
Senator
Mike Bell
Tennessee
Representative
Joshua Evans
Tennessee
Judge David Bragg
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court
Tennessee
Representative
Dawnna Dukes
Texas
Senator
Robert “Bob” Beach
West Virginia
Ms. Laura Storm
Circuit Clerk
Jefferson County
West Virginia -
Class of
2011
The 2011 class comprised 18 emerging leaders from the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
During the intensive three and a half day program, participants spent classroom time with nationally renowned experts in the fields of communication, media and leadership training. The program curriculum was developed to help participants enhance their leadership capabilities, professional careers, and personal lives through improvements in communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision-making skills. Through the CALS program, the development of these leadership competencies prepares the rising and mid-career officials to be effective leaders in state government. Another tenet of this premier multi-branch program is that it offers a unique forum for state officials who might rarely cross paths to share ideas.
Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey
Alabama
Judge Calvin Williams
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
Alabama
Mr. Steven B. Jones
Deputy Director
Department of Human Services
Arkansas
Representative
Darrin Williams
Arkansas
Representative
Amy Carter
Georgia
Representative
Barbara Sims
Georgia
Senator
Denise Harper Angel
Kentucky
Representative
Wade Hurt
Kentucky
Representative
Sannie Overly
Kentucky
Judge Jeffrey Bivins
Twenty First Judicial Circuit Court
Tennessee
Chancellor Jerri Saunders Bryant
Tenth Judicial District Chancery Court
Tennessee
Senator
Jim Tracy
Tennessee
Mr. James “Jim” Bethke
Executive Director
Indigent Defense Commission
Texas
Ms. Vicki Spriggs
Executive Director
Juvenile Probation Commission
Texas
Ms. Carey Welebob
Director
Community Justice Assistance Division
Department of Criminal Justice
Texas
Magistrate
Gail C. Boober
Magistrate Court
West Virginia
Senator
Orphy Klempa
West Virginia
Senator
William “Bill” Laird IV
West Virginia -
Class of 2010
The 2010 class comprised 22 emerging leaders from the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.
During the intensive three and a half day program, participants spent classroom time with nationally renowned experts in the fields of communication, media and leadership training. The program curriculum was developed to help participants enhance their leadership capabilities, professional careers, and personal lives through improvements in communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision-making skills. Through the CALS program, the development of these leadership competencies prepares the rising and mid-career officials to be effective leaders in state government. Another tenet of this premier multi-branch program is that it offers a unique forum for state officials who might rarely cross paths to share ideas.
Representative
Merika Coleman
Alabama
Judge
David Kimberley
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit
Alabama
Representative
Tiffany Rogers
Arkansas
Representative
Charles “Chuck” Chestnut IV
Florida
Senator
Gloria Butler
Georgia
Representative
Tom Dickson
Georgia
Representative
Jeff Greer
Kentucky
Representative
Martha Jane King
Kentucky
Representative
Brent Yonts
Kentucky
Judge
Elizabeth Chandler
Fifteenth Judicial District
Kentucky
Judge
Patricia “Patsy” Summe
Kenton County Circuit
Kentucky
Representative
Patricia Haynes Smith
Louisiana
Representative
Charmaine Marchand Stiaes
Louisiana
Senator
Eric Powell
Mississippi
Representative
Tishaura Jones
Missouri
Representative
Ruth Samuelson
North Carolina
Ms. Joy Hicks
Policy Analyst
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
North Carolina
Representative
Lee Denney
Oklahoma
Representative
Dan Kirby
Oklahoma
Representative
Jabar Shumate
Oklahoma
Representative
Harold Wright, Jr.
Oklahoma
Associate District Judge
April Sellers White
District Court of Creek County
Oklahoma -
Class of 2009
The 2009 CALS program included leaders from Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The training sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, ethics, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
Participants spent classroom time with nationally renowned experts in public policy, media and leadership training. Designed to improve competencies in the areas of communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision making, the CALS program offers participants a unique opportunity to gain region-specific information on issue trends, forecasts and leadership/skills development with colleagues from across the South.
Senator
Brandon Smith
Kentucky
Representative
Adam Koenig
Kentucky
Chief Regional District Judge
Susan Mullins Johnson
Twenty-Fourth Judicial District
Kentucky
Chief Regional District Judge
Karen Thomas
Seventeenth Judicial District
Kentucky
Representative
Regina Ashford Barrow
Louisiana
Representative
Rosalind Jones
Louisiana
Ms. Tammy Woods
Assistant Chief of Staff
Office of the Governor
Louisiana
Representative
Brandon Jones
Mississippi
Representative
Cynthia Davis
Missouri
Justice
Zel Fischer
Supreme Court
Missouri
Representative
Justin Burr
North Carolina
Representative
Shirley Randleman
North Carolina
Mr. Ray Starling
General Counsel
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
North Carolina
Senator
Dan Newberry
Oklahoma
Representative
Jason Nelson
Oklahoma
Representative
Mike Shelton
Oklahoma
Representative
Paul Agnew
South Carolina
Representative
Joan Brady
South Carolina
Senator
Ken Yager
Tennessee
Representative
Karen Camper
Tennessee
Senator
Mark Herring
Virginia
Ms. Heidi Dix
Deputy Commissioner
Department of Behavioral Health
Virginia -
Class of 2008
The 2008 CALS program included 16 leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Senator
Arthur Orr
Alabama
Representative
Paul DeMarco
Alabama
Representative
James Fields, Jr.
Alabama
Senator
Larry Teague
Arkansas
Representative
Gene Shelby
Arkansas
Mr. Frank Scott, Jr.
Policy Analyst
Office of the Governor
Arkansas
Senator
Bill Hamrick
Georgia
Representative
Judy Manning
Georgia
Ms. Vonnetta Pryor
Chief Budget Officer
Administrative Office of the Courts
Georgia
Representative
Skye McNiel
Oklahoma
Representative
Tim Scott
South Carolina
Senator
Jack Johnson
Tennessee
Ms. Jessica Olson
Deputy Director
Budget, Planning and Policy
Office of the Governor
Texas
Mr. Craig Burns
Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Compliance
Virginia Retirement System
Virginia
Ms. Cheryl Roberts
Deputy Director of Programs and Operations
Department of Medical Assistance Services
Virginia
Senator
John Unger II
West Virginia -
Class of 2007
The inaugural CALS program included 19 leaders from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, and North Carolina. The training sessions focused on essential topics such as leadership development, ethics, interpersonal exchanges, and communication skills.
The CALS program provided an intensive three-and-a-half day professional development program to help state lawmakers from 10 selected Southern states strengthen their leadership skills and commitment to their institutions.
Representative
Marc Keahey
Alabama
Senator
Robert Thompson
Arkansas
Representative
Kathy Webb
Arkansas
Mr. Lamar Davis
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of the Governor
Arkansas
Representative
Marcelo Llorente
Florida
Representative
Calvin Hill
Georgia
Senator
Brett Guthrie
Kentucky
Delegate Jon Cardin
Maryland
Delegate Sue Kullen
Maryland
Senator
Gray Tollison
Mississippi
Representative
Jessica Sibley Upshaw
Mississippi
Mr. Omar Davis
Director
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Missouri
Senator
Jeff Smith
Missouri
Representative
Patricia Yaeger
Missouri
Representative
Jake Zimmerman
Missouri
Representative
Ric Killian
North Carolina
Senator
A. B. Swindell, IV
North Carolina
Representative
Thom Tillis
North Carolina
