Hub Director David Kilroy graduates ARC's Appalachian Leadership Institute

SSU Kricker Innovation Hub Director David Kilroy (Class of 2022) and Portsmouth WesBanco Vice President of Business Development Leanne Johnson (Class of 2020) attended the ARC’s Appalachian Leadership Institute graduation ceremony in Washington DC last month.

On July 28, 2022, SSU Kricker Innovation Hub Director David Kilroy was one of 39 fellows from Appalachia’s 13 states who graduated from the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a leadership and economic development program sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Members of the Class of 2022, along with their friends and family, attended the ceremony in Washington, DC.

“My sincerest congratulations to the 2022 class of Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows! Over the past nine months, this dynamic group of change makers has dedicated themselves to sharing and building the knowledge needed to create long-lasting impacts on the region, all while growing camaraderie that will help bridge partnerships across state and county lines long after graduation,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “These fellows have a lot of work ahead of them in their own communities, and ARC looks forward to cheering them on as they use the skills gleaned during their time at the Appalachian Leadership Institute to help bolster the economic strength and vitality of the region.”

“Congratulations to the Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows Class of 2022! The hard work and dedication that each and every one of you have put in during the last nine months has better prepared you to effectively serve your communities in a different number of fields,” said ARC States’ Co-Chair Governor Larry Hogan. “We are excited to see all the positive change that you, along with the rest of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni Network, will drive in your local communities.”

In the nine months leading up to graduation, David participated in three virtual sessions and three in-person sessions, all of which included skill-building seminars with regional experts, peer-to-peer learning, and case study analysis. All aspects of the curriculum were designed to equip fellows with the knowledge and network needed to create positive change in their communities. David was one of two fellows representing Ohio in the class.

“The Appalachian Leadership Institute was a great opportunity to bring back ideas from my fellow leaders and the communities we visited,” said David. “Thanks to the Appalachian Regional Commission, we have already started to put new plans into action in Portsmouth and the surrounding region.”

As a graduate of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, David is now part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni Network. With each graduating class, the network will continue to grow, connect leaders, and facilitate learning and idea exchange across the 13 Appalachian states.

Ohio Fellows from the class of 2020 and 2022 met in Washington DC for the graduation ceremony. Pictured is Tiffany Swigert (Coshocton), Leanne Johnson (Portsmouth), Megan Reed (Warren), Brennan Dudley (Byesville), and David Kilroy (Portsmouth)