By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY – About 40 members comprising the Leadership Shelby County class of 2017 were introduced at an Aug. 30 alumni breakfast at Jefferson State Community College’s Shelby-Hoover Campus.

“This is probably the largest opening welcome breakfast we’ve ever had,” LSC Alumni Board President Jim Sumpter said, noting his class’s 10th anniversary is approaching. “It’s been a lot of fun, and it’s been a lot of learning.”

Leadership Shelby County offers participants an introduction to the community’s challenges and possibilities, and emphasizes learning through experience that provides in-depth knowledge, tools and a network to better serve the community, according to the organization’s website.

Prior to new member introductions, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris George gave the keynote speech.

“There are many people in Leadership Shelby County who have done things they probably wouldn’t have done,” George said. “As you go through the class, come May 2017 when you graduate, continue to be involved.”

George talked about the importance of facing one’s fears to achieve goals beyond expectations.

“I believe God has a strategic plan to put you in the right place at the right time,” he said. “If you don’t defeat your fears, one day they will defeat you. If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.”

LSC President Bridgette Jordan-Smith introduced current officers and board members, and new class members, who will convene for the opening retreat on Sept. 13-14.

The following are class of 2017 members: Lara Alvis, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge; Kevin Bentley, Hoover Fire Department battalion chief; Seth Berry, associate broker with Shannon Waltcheck; Resia Brooks, Shelby County Board of Education human resources supervisor; Ashley Cole-Tyson, director of risk management and compliance with Shelby Baptist Medical Center-Brookwood Baptist Health; John Collier, vice president of business banking with Regions Bank; Bill Connor, president and CEO of America’s First Federal Credit Union; Audrey Crawford, director of recruitment at the University of Montevallo; David Darby, community market president with Trustmark National Bank; Karen Fillingim, executive assistant to the mayor with the city of Alabaster; Chris Fulmer, president of C and G Fulmer Enterprises, Inc.; Steve Gilbert, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce executive director; Jenni Goolsby, Shelby County Board of Education middle school coordinator; Karon Grubbs, marketing and development director with Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area; Bart Hall, Computer Technology Solutions manager community relations; Clay Hammac, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office commander; Derek Henderson, Alabaster City School Board member; Willie Henderson, Arby’s Restaurant Group area supervisor; Christie Hester, Shelby County Department of Development Services planning services supervisor; Becky King, Liberty Baptist Church ministry assistant and preschool director; Cliff Long, Birmingham Association of Realtors chief executive officer; Sophie Martin, Blue Cross Blue Shield corporate communications media manager; Brian Massey, administrative director, business development, St. Vincent’s Health System; Jeffrey McDowell, president of McDowell Security Services, LLC; Howie McNeill, III, owner and president of I.H. McNeill, III P.C.; Stovie Moore, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital LLC; Valencia Albright Moss, community outreach, SafeHouse of Shelby County, Inc.; Connie Payton, city clerk, city of Calera; Steve Peters, College of Fine Arts dean, University of Montevallo; Jamie Purvis, A.C. Legg, Inc. purchasing manager; Loren Russell, Shelby County Commission IT practice manager-public safety; Tommy Sizemore, Hoover Fire Department captain; Elizabeth Smith, city of Columbiana marketing director; Emily Sparacino, Shelby Living Magazine and Hoover’s Magazine editor; Chris Taylor, CEO and professor, Bridgework and Liberty University; Lannette Thomas, Realty South realtor; Brent Todd, assistant vice president and branch retail exec./investment representative with BBVA Compass; Maria Urech, American Red Cross regional manager disaster workforce engagement; John W. Wilder, II, City of Helena fire chief; and Randy Wilson, manager, pipeline safety-distribution, Alagasco.