A total of 22 talented future leaders have been chosen to represent the Visalia Chamber of Commerce in its flagship program, Leadership Visalia (formerly Sequoia Regional Leadership). After a rigorous screening process, the selection committee for the 24th annual class closed enrollment for the intensive and valuable ten-month program.

This year’s graduation was held at the Holiday Inn (Visalia) on the evening of Friday June 12, 2009.  The 16 graduating class members included Guadalupe Aguayo, Gamaliel Anguiano, Stephanie Bartsch, Anita Bivian, John Bradley, David Bruce, Christine Chavez, Christy Curtsinger, Osvaldo Dominguez, Benjamin Filiponi, Juan Hernandez, Christy Martinez, Julie Medina, Erica Mireles, Sheri O’Hara, and Chad Rittgers.

The Sequoia Regional Leadership May Day session topic was Community Stewardship & Culture. Anita & Ben scheduled a world wind tour of Visalia. Before our day session Anita & Ben gave everyone in our class “homework’ to attend any type of cultural event, preferably one they have never attended before.  We would discuss the different events over the day.

On April 17, 2009 Sequoia Regional Leadership held a joint day session with Leadership North Tulare County on the Future of the Valley.

On the morning of March 18, the members of SRL boarded a train in Hanford for a busy trip to Sacramento.  After discussing Local/State Government, we arrived in Sacramento.  With less than 48 hours to visit the State’s Capitol, the class had to follow a tight agenda.

On February 20, 2009 the 2008-9 Sequoia Regional Leadership class, led by day session leaders, Sheri O'Hara (Marriott Hotel) and Christy Martinez (Jo-Ann Distribution Center) experienced a day being educated on the Legal Systems in Tulare County and on Ethics.

The Sequoia Regional Leadership Class of 2008/2009 explores the challenges and opportunities affecting education and citizen involvement in Tulare County.