2009-2010 Annual Report - Great Lakes Leadership Academy ...

The Great Lakes Leadership Academy
LEADERSHIP
for the Common Good
Crisp Point Lighthouse

Creating a Legacy of Leadership
The value of people working together is greater than the sum of what they can accomplish alone. When
power is shared and diverse voices are heard, solutions are more likely to benefit the community as a
whole. This is known as leadership for the common good, and it is the aim of the Great Lakes Leadership
Academy.
In today’s constantly changing world, leaders cannot work in a vacuum. Virtually every major public problem
spills beyond the boundaries of any one sector. How can we bring people together from diverse backgrounds
and sectors to tackle complex public challenges when budgets are tight and residents are skeptical of
government’s ability to solve problems?
Competing interests of environmental preservation, recreation, manufacturing and food production create
challenges for leaders at every level. These challenges call for new ways to connect our strong agricultural,
forestry and natural resources sectors with our extensive
industrial and manufacturing experience, advancing a new,
bio-based economy to sustain Michigan’s future. The need for
enlightened leadership is critical. The Great Lakes Leadership
Academy seeks to find people who are willing to step forward
to collaborate with others and deal with complex issues.
Through GLLA I have learned to work within group
dynamics, to be more flexible and adaptable in
my leadership style, and I have learned to come
prepared and trust in my own abilities and in others.
This will allow me to work better in the future as a
community organizer and activist. Michigan needs
leaders now more than ever, and I plan to use these
skills to benefit Michigan. — Lee Gaddies
You can’t separate these three
issues of land-use planning, rail
transportation and energy. I intend
to use my increased confidence
and continue to work with my GLLA
network to bridge these gaps and
move forward in a way that is positive
for Michigan.
— Mitch Adelman

Leadership Advancement Program
Many programs teach about leadership, but GLLA’s Leadership Advancement Program goes
beyond the leadership theory. It teaches participants how to lead by giving them opportunities
to practice their leadership skills to influence key sustainability issues. Individuals preparing for
senior leadership roles learn to include others, navigate politics and find common ground among
diverse perspectives. Participants learn to identify and frame issues, explore solutions and effect
positive change. The program includes classroom and experiential learning, as well as in-state and
international travel.
Digging Deep
into the Issues
Participants in the advanced program
get a big dose of hands-on
learning that focuses on emerging
issues. Issues teams create a
safe environment for individuals to examine how they operate as leaders. Teams engage in difficult—and
sometimes painful—conversations about key issues in an effort to learn more about
themselves, their leadership styles and how to work with others.
The 2009-10 class formed three work teams, and each selected a critical sustainability issue facing
the state. Their in-depth research included meetings with a variety of Michigan leaders and
an analysis of the issue’s impact on society. Each team presented the issue to the entire class in an
action-packed two-day session using their newly acquired process and consensus-building tools.
I have learned that leadership is more about engaging
others and learning how to listen to what they have to
say, and together we can work through the issues no
matter what the barriers are. — Angela Riess
Without telling them “the answers” to an issue, teams gave
their colleagues the tools for making informed decisions.
Teams discovered that each issue is much broader, requiring
more research, than individuals initially realized. Many say
they arrived with a narrow view and left with a broadened
perspective, grateful to have grasped the big picture. Members
learned to listen to what all participants bring to the
table, rather than push their own agenda.
My GLLA experience has come
at EXACTLY the right time for me.
You have helped me practice the art
of Appreciative Inquiry and to search
for Common Ground.
— Rob Zeldenrust
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Land Use Team
Cooperative Regional
Planning
The land use team began with the premise that
“we are not as strong individually as we are as
a group.” The team learned the same is true for
adjacent communities operating independently
from each other trying to survive difficult
economic times and achieve sustainability.
There is a history of successes and failures
when it comes to cooperative regional planning
in Michigan. The team sought understanding
of why some attempts at regional planning
have succeeded and others failed and what the
challenges are that must be overcome to be
successful. They asked whether cooperative
regional planning is a key to developing
economic, social and environmentally sustainable
communities.
Land Use Issues Team: (L toR) Ponsella Hardaway, Roger Veliquette, Sara Pearson, Jim Bowes, Lisa Oliver-King,
Steve Debrabander, Coach Brenda Alston-Mills. Not pictured — Kelly Leach.
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The session led by the land use team provided
opportunity to discuss the challenges facing
cooperative regional planning initiatives, to hear
from experts currently working in and developing
cooperative regional plans across the state and
to engage in a community mapping exercise. The
land use team challenged the cohort to continue
exploration of and become engaged in their own
community’s planning efforts.

Alternative Energy Issues Team
Michigan Works on Renewable Energy
The alternative energy issues team
researched the history of electric
power generation and distribution
in Michigan from the early 1900s
through 2009. The Clean, Renewable
and Efficient Energy Act (CREEA
or 2008 PA 295), along with the
legislative process that resulted in
that law, was examined. Research
was conducted through interactions
with legislators, renewable energy
practitioners, entrepreneurs and state
employees active in the renewable
energy field, and tours of renewable
energy facilities around the state. The
conclusion was that the regulatory
framework for providing electricity to
Michigan’s citizens has not adapted
at a rate sufficient to address the
realities of the 21st century.
Michigan has the labor, water and land resources to break existing barriers associated with the manufacture
and use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass. These and other resources provide
a unique opportunity for
Michigan to lead in renewable
energy manufacture and use.
Relaying correct information
about the practicality of
renewable energy, energy
efficiency and the benefits
thereof will result in the
creation of a sustainable
economy, easing our footprint
on the global environment.
Alternative Energy Issues Team: (L to R) Kevin Kirk, Rob Zeldenrust,
Janice Schleicher, Mitch Adelman, Monica Day, Doug Craven.
Not pictured — Mark Frever and Anna Sylvester.
The team also concluded that
collaborative leadership in
renewable energy manufacture
and use, when combined with
energy efficiency optimization,
will demonstrate how
individuals, communities
and other states can generate
solutions for the common good.
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Rail Issues Team
An Experience in Michigan
Rail Transportation
The rail issues team considered the general
issue of transportation in Michigan. After
considerable study the team came to the
conclusion that Michigan would benefit
from a more extensive and modern (high
speed, where possible) rail system, especially
one with more passenger train routes.
The team developed a plan to deepen the
understanding of the cohort on this issue
and create a sense of excitement about rail
transportation in Michigan. They provided
cohort members with the opportunity to
experience and reflect upon the positive
and negative aspects of rail transportation
in Michigan and to understand the various
aspects of rail transportation from historical,
current and future perspectives. The team
developed an appreciation of policy and
related political issues that undergird rail use
in Michigan and the impacts of Michigan rail
systems on economic development, land use
and alternative energy, as well as social and
cultural benefits.
The rail team session began at the Jackson
Amtrak station where the cohort boarded the
train for a ride to the session in downtown
Kalamazoo.
A very interactive session was developed
allowing GLLA participants to draw potential
“desired” train routes on Michigan maps
considering the best interest of the state and
encouraging dialogue, listening and exchange
with each other. As a result of the GLLA
issues team session, one of the team members
is leading similar sessions around the state.
See http://michiganbyrail.org/
to learn how the impact of the rail issues
team continues.
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Rail Issues Team: (L to R) Tamra Fountaine, Mike Everett,
Tim Fischer, Roger Victory, Angela Riess, Sue Esser.
Not pictured — Eric Hufnagel and Lee Gaddies, Coach Jerry Jennings.

Beyond Our Borders
The capstone of the Leadership
Advancement Program is a two-week
international experience. It’s an opportunity
for participants to explore issues from a
global perspective; examine leadership in
the context of differing political, cultural
and social challenges; view resource
management in an international economy;
and experience a unique networking
opportunity.
2009-2010 Leadership Advancement
Program participants pose in Spain with
tools in hand at the Sierra Nevada National
Park. The group assisted in creating a
pathway to provide public access to
a previously unreachable area of the
botanical gardens.
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A Bright Future
The cohort continues the momentum by participating in an alumni network for communication
and collaboration. They share ideas and develop their professional skills using social networking
Internet sites, group e-mail and text messaging, in addition to more conventional methods of
telephone calls, conference calls and periodic face-to-face interaction. It’s a perfect fit with the
university’s commitment to lifelong learning and ongoing personal growth.
I have expanded out of my smaller circle of agriculture
and broadened my perspective to share and gather input,
ideas and insight from the greater community. Our issues
are interlinked and I will have access to this broad net-
work for the rest of my life. — Roger Victory

Generous Partners in Creating
a Legacy of Leadership
The Great Lakes Leadership Academy was developed with the aid of a planning grant from the
W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The academy is conducted as a partnership of the Michigan State University
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment
Station, in cooperation with many generous stakeholders.
The following have contributed financial support
toward development and operation of the program:
Corn Marketing Program of Michigan
Edward Lowe Foundation
Great Lakes Fishery Trust
Greenstone Farm Credit Services
Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Michigan Department of Natural Resources and
Environment
Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies
Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association
MSU Extension
The Nature Conservancy
Tip-of-the-Mitt Watershed Council
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Elizabeth Browne
Mark and Jeanne Chaffin
Tom and Rhonda Coon
Keith and Laska Creagh
Dennis and Carri Fox
Jay and Cynthia Gooch
Margaret Kartes Memorial
Ellen Kohler
Mike and Marge Kovacic
Vicki Pontz
William and Brenda Rustem
Sandra Clarkson Stuckman and Noel Stuckman
Gordon and Karen Wenk
Paul and Sue Wing
The following organizations provide instructors and
other support to the program:
American Leadership Forum
Bristlecone Learning, Inc
Center for Creative Leadership
Colflesh and Associates
International Association of Programs for
Agricultural Leadership
The Lee Institute
Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station
MSU Extension
MSU School of Labor & Industrial Relations
MSU Sustainable Michigan Endowed Project
Moementum LLC
Progress Associates LLC
TAVA Full Circle
Training Direct Inc
Wavelength Inc
Board of Governors
Chair
William Rustem
Senior Vice President
Public Sector Consultants
Elizabeth Browne
Assistant Chief
Environmental Resource
Management Division
Michigan Dept of
Natural Resources and
Environment
Keith Creagh
Director of Industry Affairs
Neogen Corporation
Frank Ettawageshik,
Executive Director
United Tribes of Michigan
Jim Howe
Vice President
Star of the West Milling Co
Ellen Kohler
Natural Resource and
Environmental Attorney
The Watershed Center
Brigette Leach
Owner Operator
Avalon Farms
Rodney Stokes, Chief
Office of Science, Policy
and Legal Services
Michigan Department of
Natural Resources and
Environment
Patty Strabbing
Senior Manager
Environmental Affairs
Chrysler LLC
Andrew Such
President
Enviro Policy Consultants
Gordon Wenk, Chief
Deputy Director
Michigan Department of
Agriculture
Guy Williams
President and CEO
G.O. Williams and
Associates
Josh Wunsch
Director
Michigan Farm Bureau
Dan Wyant
President and COO
Lowe Foundation
Ex-officio member
Tom Coon
Director, MSU Extension
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You Can Make a Difference
We invite you to become a partner in supporting the Great Lakes
Leadership Academy.
If you are committed to strengthening leadership for the common good,
please make an investment in Michigan’s future through a tax-deductible
gift. Gifts offer the benefits of membership in major MSU donor recognition
societies.
To learn more, go online at www.GLLA.msu.edu/giving.html, or contact
Vicki Pontz at pontzv@msu.edu, (517) 432-8685.

Leadership Advancement Program 2009–10 participants
Mitchell Adelman
District Supervisor, Michigan
Department of Natural
Resources and Environment
Williamston
James Bowes
Enforcement/Emergency
Response Officer, Michigan
Department of Agriculture
Dewitt
Douglas Craven
Natural Resource Director,
Little Traverse Bay Band of
Odawa Indians, Pellston
Monica Day
Research Administrator,
Michigan State University
Onondaga
Steve DeBrabander
State Trails Supervisor, Michigan
Department of Natural
Resources and Environment
East Lansing
Susan Esser
Dairy Manager, Michigan
Department of Agriculture
Brighton
Michael Everett
Academic Specialist, Michigan
State University
Hanover
Timothy Fischer
Deputy Policy Director,
Michigan Environmental
Council
Mason
Tamra Fountaine
Program Associate,
Kresge Foundation
Troy
Mark Frever
Director of Grounds,
Albion College
Jackson
Lee Gaddies
Commissioned artist and
community activist
Detroit
G. Ponsella Hardaway
Executive Director, MOSES
Lincoln Park
Eric Hufnagel
Associate Director, Child and
Family Services of Michigan
St. Johns
Kevin Kirk
Special Assistant to Division
Director, Michigan Department
of Agriculture
St. Johns
Kelly Leach
Farmer, Avalon Farms
Climax
Sara Pearson
Senior Geologist, Michigan
Department of Natural
Resources and Environment
Sparta
Angela Riess
Environmental Planner,
Southeast Michigan Council of
Governments
Bloomfield Township
Janice Schleicher
Performance Excellence
Specialist, Tri-Point
Performance
Mio
Anna Sylvester
District Parks and Recreation
Manager, Michigan Department
of Natural Resources
and Environment
Roscommon
Roger Veliquette
Assistant Plant Manager,
Great Lakes Packing Company
Kewadin
Roger Victory
Owner/Operator, Victory
Farms
Hudsonville
Rob Zeldenrust
General Manager, Fremont
Cooperative Produce
Company
Fremont
Cover: The lighthouse is the
Great Lakes Leadership Academy’s
symbol of leadership for the
common good. Lighthouses have
been fundamental to Michigan’s
development as a state, helping
shape not only its history, but also
its economy. The Great Lakes State
boasts more of these maritime
beacons than any other state.
Together, they mark Michigan’s
coastline, having guided ships to
safety and offered hope to lost
sailors. Today they are frequented
by tourists and woven into art
and poetry as symbols of strength,
adventure and haven in the storm.
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Great Lakes Leadership Academy
Michigan State University
109 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Phone: (517) 432-8685
Fax: (517) 353-5406
E-mail: GLLA@msu.edu
Web: www.GLLA.msu.edu
Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights