The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) is excited to announce that the agency’s Director of Economic Development Jesslan Wilson has been selected to participate in the 2023-2024 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a leadership and economic development training opportunity for individuals currently living and/or working in one of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) 13 Appalachian states.
Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows were selected via a competitive application process to reflect the Appalachian region’s wide range of economic development challenges, opportunities, and strategies.
Jesslan was named as one of three Alabamians, including include Kenneth Anderson, DEI Director for the City of Huntsville and Paul Kennedy, President of the Walker Area Community Foundation, selected to participate.
“Growing and supporting the next generation of Appalachian leaders is integral to the future success of our region,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “I send my sincerest congratulations to the newest round of Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows, as well as my appreciation for all the work and passion they put into helping their communities thrive and compete.”
The RPCGB is excited to be represented in this opportunity, and we look forward to the skills Jesslan will build through this program to benefit our agency and the Greater Birmingham region.
About the Appalachian Leadership Institute: The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive regional leadership training program developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact. Learn more at www.arc.gov/leadership.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission: The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Learn more at www.arc.gov.