Working Women’s Conference
February 10, 2012
University of Tennessee at Martin
Boling University Center

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Dueling Pianos Fundraiser for WestStar
February 24, 2012
Miss Ollies, Jackson, TN
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FutureStars Leadership Summit
March 16, 2012
University of Tennessee at Martin
More Information to Follow

African American Leadership Conference
April 19, 2012
West Tennessee Education and Research Center
Jackson, TN
More Information to Follow

West Tennessee Regional Entrepreneur Conference
June 19, 2012
West Tennessee Education and Research Center
Jackson, TN
More Information to Follow

WestStar News

Click here to view our current WestStar Newsletter

MARTIN, Tenn. – June 22, 2011 – LEGGETT RECEIVES WESTSTAR C.P. BOYD AWARD- The University of Tennessee at Martin 2011 WestStar Leadership Class graduation was hosted recently at Jackson County Club. Class members, WestStar alumni, family and friends attended the event. Donnie Leggett, left, of Fayette County, received the C.P. Boyd Award for Leadership, selected by the current WestStar class. Leggett is the general manager for the Hardeman Fayette Utility District and board member of the Tennessee Association of Utility District. With Leggett is Charley Deal, right, WestStar executive director and assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations.

MARTIN, Tenn. – June 22, 2011 – HAYES RECEIVES THE JIMMY DANIEL MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE WESTSTAR ALUMNI AWARD - The University of Tennessee at Martin 2011 WestStar Leadership Class graduation was hosted recently at Jackson County Club. Class members, WestStar alumni, family and friends attended the event. David Hayes, right, of Dyersburg, received the Jimmy Daniel Make-A-Difference WestStar Alumni Award, selected by the WestStar Board of Trustees. Currently, Hayes is chairman of United Way of West Tennessee.  He has served as the president/CEO of Security Bank in Dyersburg since 1991 and is the past chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America. With Hayes is Charley Deal, left, WestStar executive director and assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations, and Peggy Daniel, center, wife of the late Jimmy Daniel.

MARTIN, Tenn. – June 22, 2011 – GORDON RECEIVES THE MCWHERTER OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD - The University of Tennessee at Martin 2011 WestStar Leadership Class graduation was hosted recently at Jackson County Club. Class members, WestStar alumni, family and friends attended the event. David Gordon, center, of Covington, received the McWherter Outstanding Leadership Award, given to a WestStar alumnae/alumnus who best reflects the virtues of community leadership possessed by the late Tennessee Governor Ned Ray McWherter. Gordon is the mayor of Covington, veterinarian and graduate of the 2002 WestStar Leadership class. With Gordon is Charley Deal, left, WestStar executive director and assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations, and Mike McWherter, son of the late Governor McWherter.

MARTIN, Tenn., May 4, 2011 – OUTSTANDING EMERGING LEADER AWARD – The WestStar African-American Leadership Conference Outstanding Emerging Leader Award (under 40 years of age) was presented at this year’s 13th annual conference in Jackson to Chester Sharpe, center, BancorpSouth assistant vice president and branch manager of the University Branch in Jackson. The award criteria notes that the nominee has made a positive impact in his or her city/county during the past year, has a strong record of leadership during the past five years in West Tennessee, has been an active participant in the African-American leadership conferences and embraces the importance of and provides effective leadership to the concept and practice of regionalism in West Tennessee. Sharpe is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Jackson, a Jonah Affordable Housing Organization board of directors member and serves on the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program at BancorpSouth. Pictured with Sharpe are Gil Petty, Jackson, a member of the WestStar Class of 1995, and Anne Banks, Brownsville, conference chair and a member of the WestStar Class of 1997 and board of trustees. The conference is one of several sponsored by WestStar in its 21-county region.  WestStar is the state’s oldest regional leadership program. Conferences have focused on presentations related to economic development, education, business initiatives, healthcare and technology, among others, with input about future topics provided by conference participants each year. WestStar was created in 1989 at the University of Tennessee at Martin to serve the multi-county area by providing leadership development and training.

MARTIN, Tenn., May 4, 2011 – OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD – The African-American Leadership Conference Outstanding Leader Award (40+ years of age) was presented at this year’s 13th annual conference in Jackson to Clarence Boone, center, Jackson, owner of D & L Catering for 37 years. The award criteria notes that the nominee has made a positive impact in his or her city/county during the past year, has a strong record of leadership during the past five years in West Tennessee, has been an active participant in the African-American leadership conferences and embraces the importance of and provides effective leadership to the concept and practice of regionalism in West Tennessee. Boone is a former educator and taught throughout West Tennessee in Crockett, Fayette, Hardeman and Madison counties. He has served as principal of two Madison County high schools, West High and North Side High School. He is a former Madison County commissioner, a member of the NAACP, member of Jackson-Madison County Ambulance Authority, supporter of the Junior Hub City Golf Association, Jackson Transit Authority and Jackson Housing Authority and is president of the Jackson-Madison County African-American Chamber of Commerce. Pictured with Boone is Anne Banks, Brownsville, conference chair and a member of the WestStar Class of 1997 and board of trustees, and Evelyn Robertson Jr., of Whiteville, member of the WestStar Class of 1997. The conference is one of several sponsored by WestStar in its 21-county region.  WestStar is the state’s oldest regional leadership program. Conferences have focused on presentations related to economic development, education, business initiatives, healthcare and technology, among others, with input about future topics provided by conference participants each year. WestStar was created in 1989 at the University of Tennessee at Martin to serve the multi-county area by providing leadership development and training.

MARTIN, Tenn. – June 15, 2010 – WESTSTAR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM C.P. BOYD AWARD PRESENTED – Doug Roth, center, of Jackson, received the C.P. Boyd Leadership Award at the recent graduation of the WestStar Leadership Class of 2010 in Jackson. Making the presentation are Keith Carver, left, 2009 award recipient, and Charley Deal, executive director of WestStar. Class members selected Roth for his leadership in the Class of 2010.  Roth is the vice president and regional division manager for BancorpSouth in Jackson. He serves as a Madison County commissioner in District 10 and is the newly appointed chairman-elect for 2010 of the Tennessee Bankers Association Trust Committee Board. He is a member of Ayers Children’s Medical Center Advisory Board and Leadership University, where he serves as a seminar instructor. Roth is also the chairman of the endowment and trust committee for the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center.  The University of Tennessee at Martin sponsors WestStar. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, WestStar is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership program.

MARTIN, Tenn., June 15, 2010 – MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE AWARD – Franklin Smith, left, of Brownsville, received the 10th Jimmy Daniel Make-A-Difference WestStar Leadership Alumni Award at the recent WestStar Leadership Graduation Banquet. The award is presented each year to a WestStar alumnus in memory of Daniel, WestStar Class of 1990, who served as West Tennessee field representative for Gov. Don Sundquist. Making the presentation is Charley Deal, WestStar director. The award recipient has made a positive impact in his or her city or county; has a strong record of leadership during the past five years in West Tennessee; has been an active participant in WestStar, alumni, seminar and regular leadership programs; and embraces the importance of and provides effective leadership to the concept and practice of regionalism in West Tennessee. Smith is mayor of Haywood County. The county was recently awarded the state Rural Development Award for outstanding local programs for 2009 under the direction of Smith. He also played an active role in acquisition of the Haywood County megasite designation in 2010. He is chairman of the Association of County Mayors; member of Brownsville Rotary Club; chairman of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority; board member of the Tennessee County Services Association; part chairman of the Southwest Tennessee Development District Board; board member of the Southwest Human Resource Agency; member of the Advantage Board and the Tennessee Seismic Safety Commission. The University of Tennessee at Martin sponsors WestStar. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, WestStar is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership program.

WestStar Class Donates 5,000 Pounds of Food

 (May 28, 2010, MARTIN, TN)  The WestStar class of 2010 wanted to make a difference and help those affected by the recent floods and those already facing hard times due to the recent economic conditions.  They focused on helping out local food banks.  This year’s class collected more than 5,000 pounds of food, in just ten days, to donate to local food banks throughout the 21 counties in West Tennessee.

“The mission of WestStar includes identifying and encouraging community-minded people who want to become more involved,” stated Charley Deal, Executive Director of WestStar.  “This year’s participants needed no encouraging.  They saw a need, and acted on it.  I am sure this won’t be the last time this group has a positive impact on West Tennessee.”

Each of the 30 participants were encouraged to collect at least 100 cans of food, from May 16th to May 26th, for food banks that were identified in each county within West Tennessee.  During their food drive, many collect more than 100 cans, as of May 26th more than 5,000 pounds of food has been collected and distributed, and more is expected to follow.

The WestStar class collected the food at their place of work, schools and churches.  Some of the top participants collected between 250 and 300 pounds of food.  Joey Hassell, Superintendent of Lauderdale County Schools collected over 450 pounds and some money for the First United Methodist Church of Ripley’s food bank. 

“Unfortunately, our local food banks are being used by more and more by families, here in West Tennessee.  Hopefully the efforts of this class will be able to help assist in their time of need,” stated Charlie Deal.  “I am very proud of this class and to be associated with such a great group of leaders.”  

In a 21-year history, the University of Tennessee at Martin has had a special role in developing leaders in West Tennessee’s 21 counties through the WestStar Leadership Program. Participants learn new leadership skills and develop strategies to assist communities in solving problems and maximizing potential. Numerous class members have utilized their WestStar skills to work in the region becoming elected officials and spearheading important projects and filling other leadership roles. WestStar is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership program and has more than 550 graduates.

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MARTIN, Tenn., April 14, 2010 – OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD – The WestStar African-American Leadership Conference Outstanding Merging Leader Award (under 40 years of age) was presented at this year’s 12th annual conference in Jackson to Melissa Cox-Rayner, center, Crockett County Chamber of Commerce executive director. The award criteria notes that the nominee has made a positive impact in his or her city/county during the past year, has a strong record of leadership during the past five years in West Tennessee, has been an active participant in the African-American leadership conferences and embraces the importance of and provides effective leadership to the concept and practice of regionalism in West Tennessee. Pictured with Cox-Rayner are Harold Nance, Alamo, a member of the WestStar Class of 2002 and Board of Trustees; and Anne Banks, Brownsville, conference chair and a member of the WestStar Class of 1997 and Board of Trustees. The conference is one of several sponsored by WestStar in its 21-county region.  WestStar is the state’s oldest regional leadership program. Conferences have focused on presentations related to economic development, education, business initiatives, healthcare and technology, among others, with input about future topics provided by conference participants each year. WestStar was created in 1989 at the University of Tennessee at Martin to serve the multi-county area by providing leadership development and training.     
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MARTIN, Tenn., April 14, 2010 – OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD – The African-American Leadership Conference Outstanding Leader Award (40+ years of age) was presented at this year’s 12th annual conference in Jackson to Gloria Sweet-Love, left, of Brownsville, longtime president of the Tennessee State Conference of NAACP Branches. The award criteria notes that the nominee has made a positive impact in his or her city/county during the past year, has a strong record of leadership during the past five years in West Tennessee, has been an active participant in the African-American leadership conferences and embraces the importance of and provides effective leadership to the concept and practice of regionalism in West Tennessee. She currently serves as chair of the Southeast Region NAACP Leadership Caucus. In 2008, she was elected as an at-large member to the NAACP National Board of Directors. She serves on the NAACP National Education, Election Supervisory, Religious Affairs and Resolutions committees. An avid and active community activist and champion of human rights, in 2003, she was appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen as a commissioner for the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. She also currently serves on the South West Human Resource Agency Policy Board and Council and on the Jackson State Community College Foundation Board of Trustees. Pictured with Sweet-Love is Anne Banks, Brownsville, conference chair and a member of the WestStar Class of 1997 and Board of Trustees. The conference is one of several sponsored by WestStar in its 21-county region.  WestStar is the state’s oldest regional leadership program. Conferences have focused on presentations related to economic development, education, business initiatives, healthcare and technology, among others, with input about future topics provided by conference participants each year. WestStar was created in 1989 at the University of Tennessee at Martin to serve the multi-county area by providing leadership development and training.     
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For Immediate Release: Dec. 15, 2009
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES WESTSTAR SUPPORT WITH CHECK
MARTIN, Tenn. ­– USDA Rural Development recently presented the University of Tennessee at Martin WestStar leadership program with a $20,000 check in Jackson. The USDA Rural Enterprise Business Grant will help sustain and grow the WestStar Leadership program.

“UT Martin's WestStar program has proven itself to be a great investment in the future of West Tennessee communities,” said USDA Rural Development State Director and WestStar Alumnus Bobby Goode. “Participants in the program come out energized and effective thanks to the skills learned and contacts made. Best of all, the program alumni continue to make outstanding contributions to local economic and community development in the region.”

WestStar, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009, is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership development program with more than 550 graduates. The program consists of eight specially designed seminar programs addressing contemporary issues important to the future of West Tennessee. Each seminar takes place over a two-day period from January through May in various locations throughout Middle and West Tennessee. Topics vary, year to year, depending on changing events in the region.
 
Focusing on the challenges and potentials in West Tennessee, WestStar stresses the importance of regional and civic responsibility for progress and prosperity. From sessions about economic development and government to education and tourism, presenters are some of the most knowledgeable people in their fields.

“USDA Rural Development has been a tremendous partner with WestStar for over nine years,” said Charley Deal, WestStar executive director. “When leaders remove the imaginary borders placed around communities and counties and embrace a regional concept, it is a win-win for West Tennessee. USDA Rural Development encourages this type of regional cooperation, and WestStar is proud to be in the forefront of helping to shape the future of West Tennessee.”

For more information about WestStar, call Virginia Grimes, coordinator, at 731-881-7298.
 
USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, businesses, community infrastructure, homeownership and affordable rental housing in rural communities. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 866,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $619 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants. For more information contact the Union City Area Office at 731-885-6480 x4 or find more details at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

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Legacy of WestStar: 20 years of developing the region’s leaders MARTIN, Tenn

In a 20-year history, the WestStar leadership program at the University of Tennessee at 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. Smith, now president of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, and still a WestStar supporter, added. that problems and opportunities do not know political boundaries. The vision was that “a new generation of leaders would see a compelling agenda for positive change through collaboration and regional thinking than competing within small fiefdoms.”
 
Dr. Nick Dunagan, UT Martin chancellor emeritus, also a co-founder, served as executive director for six years. David Belote is the current executive director, with Charley Deal serving as the assistant director. 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. There are chamber of commerce and economic development professionals, bankers, government personnel, educators and business executives. What they have in common is a strong devotion to their civic responsibility.
 
The program consists of seven specially designed seminar programs addressing contemporary issues important to the future of West Tennessee. Each seminar takes place over a two-day period from January through May in various locations throughout Middle and West Tennessee. Topics vary, year to year, depending on changing events in the region.
 
Focusing on the challenges and potentials in West Tennessee, WestStar stresses the importance of regional and civic responsibility for progress and prosperity. From sessions about economic development and government to education and tourism, presenters are some of the most knowledgeable people in their fields.
 
“T.A.C.L. (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. We have every reason to be proud of that heritage of developing future leaders for our communities and for Tennessee.”
 
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.
     
Seeking to make changes via government, some WestStar graduates have sought and been elected to local and state public offices after completing the program.
 
“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 recently was elected to the 26th 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. Among those are the annual African-American Leadership Conference, the Working Women’s Conference and the Economic Development Conference, in addition to assisting with youth leadership development. The organization maintains a Web site and speakers bureau and has published and offered online versions of regional festival and dining guides.
 
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 Trustee 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. The continuation of WestStar is critical to the leadership development in West Tennessee.”