Leadership Orange

Begin your journey to acquire
the knowledge and skills of Leadership
to better serve your community.

1992	Focus groups are formed by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce to research the feasibility of developing a leadership training program for the County. The first board meeting convenes on November 16th.

1993	"Leadership Orange" becomes the official title of the program. A logo created by Sister Sylvia from Mount Saint Mary College is unveiled in March. First Brochure is produced. Twenty-five participants are accepted into the first class and an opening retreat is held at Sterling Forest Conference Center in September.

1994	Organizational bylaws created.

	First class graduates and alumni association was formed. Leadership Orange pin created for both alumni and board members. Leadership Orange Award established and presented at the Orange County Partnership Annual Event. First staff member hired.

1995	First corporate reception held at Trotting Horse Museum in Goshen . Mentoring program established for all new classes. Leadership Orange makes its first presentation at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

1996	Second corporate reception held at the Lycian Theatre, Sugar Loaf. Leadership Orange participates in the Orange County Chamber Expo for the first time.

1997	First Wing Fling fundraiser given at Brotherhood Winery in September. Hundreds of people from around the region gather to enjoy wings and other refreshments prepared by the County’s leading chefs.

1998	Leadership Orange Speakers Bureau formed to present the program to community organizations.

1999	Leadership Orange video produced for corporate promotion.

2000	Leadership Orange enters the new millenium as the premier leadership training program in the County.

2001	Leadership Orange sponsorships jump as more businesses recognize the tremendous value of the program.

2002	Leadership Orange celebrates its tenth year in existence and in celebration hosts an anniversary gala and and produces a retrospective journal.

2003	The Class of 2003 builds a Leadership Orange House in the City of Newburgh in conjunciton with Habitat For Humanity. Leadership Orange establishes an office with the United Way of Orange County .

2004	The Class of 2004 develops a Junior Leadership program with high school students from throughout the county. Members of the class of 2004 establish an informal social network the first Wednesday evening of every month.

2005	The Leadership Orange Board of Directors increases the number of possible class participants to 36. John Lavelle, Class of 1997, receives the inaugural Leadership Orange Alumni Award for his outstanding contribution to the Orange County community.

2006	The Class of 2006 begins work on a project to provide suitcases for foster children to help cultivate a sense of stability and self-respect within each child.