NEW LEADERS — The Leadership Ohio Valley Class of 2024 kicked off its program year Thursday. Participants in this year’s class include, in front from left, Risha Marple, Bailey Marmon, Ashley Flaherty, Lonna Flowers and Libby Reasbeck, and in back, Daniel Day, Joe Quattrochi, Paul Zuros, Jason Heckathorn and Anthony Basil. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — The Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed 10 area business representatives into the fold of its Leadership Ohio Valley program, Thursday, kicking off the year for the class of 2024.

“We all have a little bit of leadership in us,” Chamber President Brenda Mull said during her welcome address at Undo’s in Weirton, although she noted not everyone may recognize those elements in themselves.

This is the 31st year for Leadership Ohio Valley, which provides members of the local business sector with opportunities to learn more about themselves and the area, with a goal of encouraging them to become more active in their communities and larger roles with their employers.

This year’s class, and their sponsors, include: Anthony Basil, Frontier Group of Companies; Daniel Day, Rotary Club of Weirton; Ashley Flaherty, Youth Services System; Lonna Flowers, Hancock County Savings Bank; Jason Heckathorn, Madonna High School; Bailey Marmon, Miss Tiffany’s Early Childhood Education House; Risha Marple, City of Weirton; Joe Quattrochi, Weirton Geriatric Center; Libby Reasbeck, Form Energy; and Paul Zuros, Hancock County Commission.

Mull explained some aspects of leadership, including having a positive attitude, being able to delegate responsibilities when needed, having courage to make difficult decisions, integrity and humility, as well as a sense of humor, encouraging teamwork, having a clear focus, and not sitting back when work is needed.

“A leader is always doing something in pursuit of their goal,” she said.

For the Leadership Ohio Valley program, the class will be responsible for planning and participating in a series of sessions, each focused on a different area of society. Sessions will include Health and Human Services; Government; Education; History and Culture; and Business and Economic Development.

Thursday’s kickoff included ice-breaker activities and a True Colors personality exercise, while the class will participate in a Simulated Society session today.

“Like anything else you do, you get out of it what you put in,” Mull told the class, encouraging them to think creatively, work as a team and get out of their comfort zone.

The class will be guided this year by coordinators Emily Byers of Apollo Pro Cleaning and Restoration; Rachel Keeney of the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Tony Viola of Howard Hanna Realty; all of whom are previous participants in Leadership Ohio Valley.