Phil Bettendorf, Athens First Bank & Trust, Class of '99
"My L.E.A.D. Athens experience has made me a better person. It gave me greater awareness of our community and the impact one person can make in encouraging others. As George Bailey discovered in the movie, It's A Wonderful Life, your life touches so many others and together we truly make a difference. "

Paul Cramer, Classic Center, Class of '04
"L.E.A.D. Athens was an awesome team building experience that really helped all of us understand more about the community in which we live." 

Spencer Frye, Athens Area Habitat For Humanity, Class of '10
"L.E.A.D. Athens is an empowering and informative study on the facts and history of Athens, Ga. No matter what you think you know about Athens, you will always be surprised to learn several new and useful pieces of information that will help you do your job better and more effectively. L.E.A.D. Athens should be a requirement of every elected official as well as every public employee in a management position. I will always cherish my time in the L.E.A.D. Athens program and would recommend it to anyone who wants to be successful in doing business in Athens." 

Carol Williams, Upchurch Realty & Clarke County BOE, Class of '83 "When Leadership Athens, now called L.E.A.D. Athens, was formed I was invited to be a part of the planning group and also a participant in the Charter Class. It was a special class, which included now Speaker of the House David Ralston, Mayor Nancy Denson and former State Representative and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. It gave us all the opportunity to learn about our community, challenge ideas and form lifelong friendships. The future of any community is directly related to the quality of its leaders. L.E.A.D. Athens builds upon the special bond of participants and continues to serve as the major avenue for providing opportunities to learn and lead our community into the future."