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On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, twenty-three local leaders graduated from Leadership Pickens County (LPC) Class XXXIII at Southern Wesleyan University’s Bryant Lodge. Established in 1991, Leadership Pickens County is sponsored by the chambers of commerce in Pickens County and provides a framework of experiences for local leaders to become more informed and actively involved in the decision-making processes of their community. LPC consists of an opening retreat followed by nine full-day sessions addressing areas in leadership skills, diversity, education, local & state government, healthcare, community service, economic development, and tourism/recreation. In addition to the community service session, the class selects a community project to be completed before graduation day. LPC Class XXXIII raised $24,790 to build The Walkway to Wellness at Alabaster House in Easley. The project was selected and completed weeks before graduation day. Graduates of LPC Class XXXIII include Chase Bowlin (Pickens YMCA), Glennon Britton (Hope Women’s Center), Rev. Artis Bufford (One Church), Austin Burton (Pickens Police Department), Jonathan Cauthen (Tri-County Technical College), Katie Corbin (County of Pickens), Dr. Antonia Counts (Off The Block Physical Therapy), Lauren Fox (School District of Pickens County), Bryant Gibson (Ealey Police Department), Jennifer Holcombe (Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs), Tim Johnson (Pickens County Career and Technology Center), Trad Julian (County of Pickens), James Krout (City of Easley Parks & Recreation), John Lamb (5 Point Church), James McCallister (Easley Combined Utilities), Kaley McJunkin (Clemson University Learning Institute), Dr. Kaitlyn Newman (Verity Primary Medicine and Lifestyle), Kevin Porter (Provenance Recruiting and Staffing), Jeff Scott (Haven Valley Custom Builders), Stephanie Sheriff (Fort Hill Natural Gas Authority), Sarah Shupert (The Dream Center of Pickens County), Jessica Varney (County of Pickens), and Nicole Zeist (United Way of Pickens County). The program is open to anyone who lives or works in Pickens County. For LPC program information, please call the Easley Chamber at (864) 859-2693 or visit the LPC Page.