LAKE OZARK — In a ceremony on Nov. 10, State Tech Vice President of Academic Affairs Angie Gaines was among 32 leaders from organizations across the state who graduated from Leadership Missouri.

The class of 2022 spent the previous seven months traveling across Missouri, networking with peers, and learning about the challenges and opportunities facing our state. 

“I would like to congratulate all of our Leadership Missouri graduates,” said Missouri Chamber President and CEO Daniel P. Mehan. “It’s been a great experience to work with these very talented leaders from across Missouri and grow their potential to help Missouri move forward.”

Alongside the graduation ceremony, the Missouri Chamber also honored State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong, a 2017 graduate of Leadership Missouri, with the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award. 

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Dr. Strong. “Leadership Missouri is the premier leadership program where current and emerging leaders — both men and women — come together to become better leaders and to make our communities stronger. As a participant in the program, I learned so much about the challenges and opportunities of our beautiful state and our communities. As a graduate and alumni of Leadership Missouri, it has been a pleasure to continue to help the program grow great leaders.”

Dr. Strong stood out as a distinguished alumnus due to his longstanding service to the program, including his strong leadership at State Tech, named the best two-year college in the country. 

“Shawn Strong is a leader among leaders, and his generous service to Leadership Missouri has been vital to our program’s success,” said Mehan. “This honor is very well deserved, and I congratulate him on being named the 2022 Leadership Missouri Distinguished Alumni. With the success of our alumni and leaders like Dr. Strong, it is clear that Leadership Missouri is no less vital today than it was at its founding. Right now, Missouri needs strong leadership to confront today’s challenges. We need leaders like Dr. Strong and our 2022 graduates who can work across industries and regions to unite our state. That is exactly what Leadership Missouri provides, and we are very grateful for Dr. Strong, our new graduates, and everyone who helps make Leadership Missouri a success.”

The celebration also marked the completion of the 31st class of the Leadership Missouri program. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry founded the program in 1990 and has hosted classes each year — with the 2020 program postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 2023 class of Leadership Missouri is now accepting applications. Learn more at mochamber.com/leadershipmissouri and www.statetechmo.edu.