Lori Merricks, Class of 2015

Lori Merricks

What was your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from Lead Virginia that continues to resonate with you today?
Growing up in Southern Virginia and then moving away for almost 20 years, I had much to relearn about my home. Lead Virginia introduced me to people who truly care about the communities they serve and helped me understand that while our zip codes may differ, the work and the challenges we are facing are very similar. Economic and social challenges aren’t limited by city and county boundaries.

Christopher Davidson, Class of 2015

Christopher Davidson

My biggest takeaway is that our power to create positive change is greater when we recognize that our differences are benefits, not impediments. Everyone brings value to the table we just have to be willing to recognize it and work together. We may not always agree on how to solve a problem, or even if there is a problem, but if we can discuss things openly, we can find a way to work out our issues. 

Ron Murray, Class of 2015

Ron Murray
Vice President, Quality and Process Excellence
Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries
Newport News, VA

How has your Lead Virginia experience influenced or shaped you as a leader?
Lead Virginia has helped expose me to the “bigger picture’. Not just in the challenges across the Commonwealth, but in how the different localities have responded to those challenges. Each area we visited was an eye-opening experience. Equally as important was the perspectives shared by each member of my class as we discussed those challenges. The class was very diverse and with that diversity comes a wide array of experiences, opinions and solutions.