In a 20-year history, the WestStar Leadership Program at UT Martin has spurred many of its 500-plus graduates to take responsibility for the growth and development of their state, communities and counties.
Graduates have gained elected office, been driving forces in countless local and regional initiatives and have taken volunteerism to new heights. Still others have made it a priority to see that the networks and collaborations formed by class members during the program thrive and that WestStar continues to prepare participants to assume future leadership roles.

WestStar, serving 21 counties of West Tennessee, is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership program.

“WestStar was a dream that a regional approach to leadership development would help identify and inspire civic-minded people to become more involved in the economic and social growth of the entire region,” said Dr. Bob Smith, WestStar co-founder, who also helped create numerous individual community leadership programs. The vision was that “a new generation of leaders would see a compelling agenda for positive change through collaboration and regional thinking.”

Dr. Nick Dunagan, UT Martin chancellor emeritus, also a co-founder, served as executive director for six years; David Belote served as executive director for three years; and Charley Deal assumed the post in June. Virginia Grimes has served as WestStar coordinator for 19 years, organizing seminars, conferences and other WestStar projects and programs.

“WestStar is an important part of UT Martin’s economic development and outreach missions,” said Dunagan. “What could be more valuable than helping sharpen the leadership skills of the region’s business and governmental leaders?”

“I’ve seen the WestStar experience inspire individuals to take on significant leadership roles,” said Grimes. “They see the importance of being involved and making a difference in local communities and in the region.”

WestStar was created in 1989 at UT Martin to serve the multi-county area by providing leadership development and training for selected participants. Class members typically have a diverse range of professions and volunteer leadership experiences.

“TACL (Tennessee Association of Community Leadership), a volunteer-driven association created to assist and foster the development of leadership programs across the state, turns to WestStar frequently in the sharing of ideas, programs and insights, as the premier regional leadership program,” said Judy Renshaw, TACL historian and director of Leadership Jackson. “WestStar is an integral part of the development of leadership not only in West Tennessee, but across the state.”

Recognizing the benefits of WestStar, sponsors assist with the development program each year. Sponsors include First Bank, First State Bank, Haywood County/City of Brownsville, Gibson County Utility District, Tennessee Valley Authority, The TENNERGY Corp., TLM Associates, Inc., USDA Rural Development, West Tennessee Healthcare and West Tennessee Industrial Association.

“For me, WestStar was the North Star, a guiding light for my future. WestStar brought to light the possibility of my serving the people of Tennessee in public office,” said Dolores Gresham, 2000 class member, former three-term 94th district state representative, who now fills the District 24 state senate seat.

Dr. David Gordon, Covington mayor, had a similar experience as a member of the 2002 class. “WestStar showed me many available opportunities through which a positive impact could be made on West Tennessee and my home community. It also gave me a push toward public service,” said Gordon.
WestStar not only develops class members each year, but also has offered a number of leadership opportunities to the public.

Another aspect of WestStar is an alumni base whose goal it is to maintain and expand the network and collaboration of leaders after each class graduates.

“The WestStar program has created a great networking opportunity over the past 20 years and has made West Tennessee a better place to live, work, play and raise a family,” said Dennis Henderson, president of TLM Associates, Inc., in Jackson, a member of the 2001 class, Board of Trustees member and current WestStar Alumni Council president. “The old saying ‘two heads are better than one’ can be rewritten to say ‘over 550 WestStar alumni are better than one,’ meaning those alumni are a ‘community’ of individuals making a difference.”