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Rowan Chamber Announces 33rd Leadership Rowan Class

The Rowan Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce its 33rd Class of Leadership Rowan. Since 1992, the Rowan Chamber and Leadership Rowan have been dedicated to ensuring that the community’s most influential and esteemed leaders are well-informed about local issues, highly networked, and passionate about the community's success.

These talented leaders will engage in a ten-month program that includes exclusive tours and hands-on experiences, working closely with area leaders who daily tackle the community’s biggest challenges.

Armed with new knowledge, connections, and perspectives, Leadership Rowan graduates are well-prepared to take their places as effective community leaders.

“Leadership Rowan has a proud history of shaping our community’s leaders, with more than 800 graduates to date,” said Nick Means of F&M Bank, Chair of the Leadership Rowan Steering Committee. “Its continued success reflects Rowan County’s strong commitment to developing informed, engaged leaders who work together to move our community forward. This program’s success has even led to the launch of a youth program, expanding its impact to the next generation of leaders.”

The 31 members of the 2025-26 Class are:

  • Kristen Bowers, Moose Pharmacy
  • Kendra Bowman, Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
  • Michael Brooks, City of Salisbury
  • Dana Burris, F&M Bank
  • Maddie Capel, Catawba College
  • Mandy Earnhardt, Main Street Marketplace
  • Allie Elstermann, City of Salisbury
  • Chelsea Franzese, Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center
  • Mary Glidewell, Lutheran Services Carolinas
  • Mitchell Gober, Southern Power - Plant Rowan
  • Heather Haaland, Nazareth Child & Family Connection
  • Jason Hord, Town of Granite Quarry
  • Betsy Jones, F&M Bank
  • Heather Kann, Town of Spencer
  • Tyler Kent, NC Transportation Museum
  • Heather Kincel, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
  • Cory Kluttz, F & M Bank
  • Jose Martinez, Walser Technology Group, Inc.
  • Kevin McClain, Piedmont Correctional Institution
  • Mai Li Munoz, Livingstone College
  • Jennifer Payne, Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
  • Chanel Quick, Livingstone College
  • Katelin Rice, Partners in Learning Child Development Center
  • Daniela Salazar, Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers, Inc.
  • Jill Sellers, Town of China Grove
  • Sydney Smith Hamrick, Rowan Public Library, Rowan County Government
  • Beth Ann Stowe, Patterson Farm, Inc.
  • Ginger Tavernier, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
  • Jordan Thompson, Hotwire Communications
  • Patricia West, Atrium Health
  • Jennifer Yurchisin, Catawba College

Class members participate in a two-day retreat August 21-22 where they will engage in a Simulated Society (SIMSOC) exercise and get to know their fellow classmates. After the retreat, participants will attend a full-day session each month from September through May to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge of Rowan County. The class will attend sessions in the categories of history and power, criminal justice, public education, human needs, government, communications, business and the economy, and quality of life.

Each year, Leadership Rowan is diligently planned by the Leadership Steering Committee and Co-Chairs from last year’s leadership class. The Steering Committee includes Chairman Nick Means, F&M Bank; Deborah Johnson, Livingstone College; Alisha-Byrd Clark, Gemstones and COMPASS Leadership Academy; Erik Lipscomb, Global Contact Services; Shawn P. Edman, Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center; Kaisha Brown, City of Salisbury; Lorie Aldridge, Trinity Oaks; Tracy Alewine, Walser Technology Group; Peter Franzese, Town of Spencer; Leigh Ellington, Catawba College; David Beasley, Novant Health Rowan; Dillon Brewer, Town of Rockwell; Chris Nesbitt, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; Cinthia Rodriguez, Smart Start Rowan; Elaine Spalding, Rowan Chamber President; and Sydney T. Murphy, Rowan Chamber.

The Rowan Chamber of Commerce is confident that the 2025-26 Leadership Rowan Class will continue the program’s legacy of excellence. By fostering collaboration, understanding, and innovation, these leaders will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Rowan County.