LEAD Virginia class studies Southside issues

By Denice Thibodeau

Published: May 15, 2008

Leaders in business, education, nonprofit and government agencies from across the state are in Danville this week, with an eye toward understanding Southern Virginia’s economic, educational and health issues and goals.
The LEAD Virginia program, now in its fourth year, gathers these leaders together for two-day studies of different regions in the state: Williamsburg, Southern Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Hampton Roads and Richmond.
The meetings take place in different parts of the state so participants can learn about regional differences through on-site studies and activities designed to teach them the interests, resources and challenges of each area, organizers say.
The meetings begin each April and end in November, with a graduation dinner in Richmond.
In Southside, participants will tour the Riddle Center in Gretna, downtown Chatham, Arrington Manufacturing in Henry County and the Virginia Museum of Natural History. They will meet at the Danville Science Center and the Institute of Advanced Learning & Research.
Participants also will meet with members of health, education, agricultural, tourism, economic development and business groups to learn about Southside’s issues and efforts to grow.
The goal of the program, according to LEAD Virginia President and CEO Susan Horne, is to bring a better understanding of each region to leaders from other regions.
“It’s not a think-tank,” she said. “We’re not asking them to do a project. We’re asking them to take the time to learn. … They come away with a much better appreciation, not only of the obstacles, but of the opportunities Virginia has.”
It is a substantial time commitment.
For seven months, participants commit to meet once a month — they arrive at the region under study on Thursday evening and spend all day Friday and Saturday exploring the region together.
This time commitment was why Helm Dobbins said he chose not to run for re-election to Danville School Board this year.
Dobbins said he believes the program will be worth it, adding that he looks forward to learning more about other regions of Virginia.
“It will help us understand problems we may not have known were there, and maybe help us find solutions,” Dobbins said.
Jeff Liverman, executive director of the Danville Science Center, also is in this year’s LEAD Virginia class. The program has met at the museum since its inception, and Liverman said he felt it was time for him to participate.
Liverman said he not only wants to learn about other regions, but also wants to have a chance to show off the city’s accomplishments to people from other regions.
“The Science Center is such a model for how a community can redevelop its resources,” Liverman said. “I’m very interested in seeing what other leaders around Virginia are doing and how they’re changing their communities.
“Frankly, I think we’re doing so many great things in Danville, I want to share that — I want to show it off.”
Contact Denic Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.