MARTIN, Tenn. – The UT Martin WestStar Leadership Program Class of 2024 met for its first sessions in Weakley and Obion counties to cover topics in agriculture, transportation and regionalism. The 30-member class, the 34th in the program’s history, spent the first day at the UT Martin campus and traveled Friday to Obion County for a tour of Tyson Foods and then to Discovery Park of America to conclude the two-day session.
WestStar was off to a great start with UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman, Weakley County Mayor Jake Bynum and reports on agriculture from Jamey Tosh of Tosh Farms in Henry and former legislator Andy Holt. Class members also toured Tyson Foods in Union City.
Class members from Weakley and Obion County include Greg Barclay (Obion County), Obion County Schools; Hal Bynum (Weakley County), Nutrien Ag Solutions; and Kevin Decker (Weakley County), West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital.
Class members from Henry County are Judge Vicki Snyder; members from Carroll County are McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin; Huntingdon Mayor Nina Smothers, Businesswoman LaShonda Williams and Benton County class member is Lori Matlock, director of the Benton County Chamber.
WestStar is the premier regional leadership program in Tennessee offering leadership-development opportunities for individuals who seek to collaborate, lead and serve to bring about positive change in West Tennessee. Class members are competitively selected from around West Tennessee and include individuals representing business, education and government. WestStar alumni total 945 since the program was established in 1989.
Photo: WestStar Class members tour Tyson Foods in Union City.