By Bud Grimes, UT Martin Chief Communications Officer
MARTIN, Tenn. – Monte Belew, Dr. Norma Gerrell and Jamey Tosh, all of Henry County, graduated from the WestStar Leadership Program’s class of 2020-21 during the organization’s graduation ceremony and reception June 22 in Jackson.
Belew, director of public safety at the University of Tennessee at Martin, serves as the chairperson of the Henry County Prevention Coalition and the National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes program for Henry County. He also served as the Henry County sheriff from 2006 to 2020 and received the Tennessee State Trooper of the Year Award for the 8th District in 1988.
Gerrell, director of schools for the Paris Special School District, serves on the boards of the W.G. Rhea Public Library, the Obion County River Regional Library System, Henry County 911 and the University of Tennessee at Martin Educational Leadership Advisory Council. Gerrell is a Leadership Henry County graduate and a recipient of both the Northwest Supervisor of the Year Award and the Union University Distinguished Alumni Award in the field of education.
Tosh, owner and partner of Tosh Farms, is a recipient of the University of Tennessee Horizon Award. He currently serves on the board for the Henry County Medical Center and the UT President’s Council.
Belew, Gerrell and Tosh joined 26 other participants from 18 counties at a series of both in-person and virtual seminars held through June that focused on topics such as economic development, public policy, education and technology.
The WestStar Leadership Program was founded at UT Martin in 1989 and is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership program. The program equips regional leaders with new skills and knowledge designed to impact the educational, economic and social development of West Tennessee. The program also provides members with a growing network of community-minded people committed to serving the area.
For more information about the WestStar Leadership Program, contact Virginia Grimes, assistant director, at 731-881-7787.