Lenoir City Council Recognizes Leadership Lenoir Graduates

From the City of Lenoir

City Council recognizes the Leadership Lenoir graduating class at the City Council meeting on June 16, 2026. Front row from left: Susan Gray, Becky Gibbons, Rebecca Hites, Juliet Fulmer, Maggie Hlywa. Middle row, from left: Peter Lindberg, Donna Phillips, Sarah Christas, Mayor Joe Gibbons, Shana Oakley, Alecia Harshaw, Cori Harper, Isaiah Deskins, Brian Haile, Communication & Public Information Director Joshua Harris. Back row, from left: Councilmember Rebecca Dellinger; Mayor Pro Team David Stevens; Councilmembers Crissy Thomas and Ralph Prestwood; City Manager Scott Hildebran; Councilmembers Ike Perkins, Jonathan Beal, and Kimmie Rogers; and City Attorney T.J. Rohr.

LENOIR, N.C. – Congratulations to the Leadership Lenoir Civic Learning Academy graduating class. City Council recognized the graduates during the June 16, 2026, City Council meeting.

City staff started the Leadership Lenoir Civic Learning Academy in March this year. The academy teaches about local government in Lenoir and the civic duties of government and citizens. The goal is to create civic awareness and participation in local government in our community.

During a series of classes led by City staff, students learned about City of Lenoir local government and the services it provides. Participants learned the basic differences between city, county, state, and federal government services and responsibilities. Nearly 20 local residents attended the class. The program is available to residents & business owners within the corporate limits of Lenoir.

“Leadership Lenoir is an opportunity for people to learn how local government really works in Lenoir,” Communication & Public Information Director Joshua Harris said. “We heard presentations from every department director and everyone in the class wanted to learn and they asked great questions. I want to thank City Council and the City Manager for supporting the program, the department directors for creating their presentation, and the class members for giving more than 20 hours of time to learn about local government in our community.

Lenoir, N.C. Courtesy of the City of Lenoir

One of the class members, Peter Lindberg, said the sessions gave him the details he was looking for about how the City works.

“Being a retired engineer, I suffer the affliction of needing to know how everything works and how the “nuts and bolts” are connected,” Mr. Lindberg said. “The Leadership Lenoir classes fulfilled not only an understanding of the “nuts and bolts” of the city’s inner workings, but added the personal connection with the dedicated people and personalities that make it work so smoothly. It was the whole package.”

Sarah Christas, who works at the Caldwell County Ag Extension, said Leadership Lenoir helped her understand the City in a whole new way.

“I learned how many people and departments work to serve our community, often without recognition,” Mrs. Christas said. “My favorite part was seeing the vision for downtown and learning about all the projects happening around our city. This class gave me a greater appreciation for both our history AND our future. ‘I am part of what makes this work.'”

“Again, congratulations to all the students who completed the class,” Director Harris said. “We had a really good time during the sessions and everyone learned a lot, including myself. The more we can increase civic engagement and civic awareness in Lenoir, the better off our community will be.”

Leadership Lenoir 2026 class topics included:

Local Government Overview
Communication & Citizen Participation in Government
Planning & Community Development
Public Safety, K9s, Policing
Fire, Medical, Codes & Inspections
Water & Sewer Services
Streets, Sanitation, & Public Properties
Parks & Recreation
Western Piedmont Council of Government Overview
Main Street & Historic Preservation
Budget, Taxes, City Revenues

2026 Leadership Lenoir Graduating Class

Alecia Harshaw
Becky Gibbons
Brian Haile
Cindy Covington
Cori Harper
Donna Phillips
Isaiah Deskins
Jerri Pitz
Jodi Bentley
Joy Walker
Juliet Fulmer
Maggie Hlywa
Peter Lindberg
Rebecca Hites
Sarah Christas
Shay Rosenberger
Susan Gray
Trena Patton
Shana Oakley

The City plans to host Leadership Lenoir again during the winter/spring of 2027. If you’re interested, be on the lookout for the announcement that applications are open. Learn more about the program at www.cityoflenoir.com/657/Leadership-Lenoir.