Potomac — “I have attended many leadership programs,” said Potomac native John Kuo, “and Leadership Maryland is the best. If asked if area leaders should apply for this program, I would answer with a resounding ‘Yes!’ The networking opportunities are invaluable and the insights I gained about Maryland and what we need to do as leaders to make our state stronger for upcoming generations can never be duplicated.”

Leadership Maryland is a statewide program with a mission to develop informed senior-level leaders. It was created in 1992 to “cultivate the interest, statewide knowledge and leadership capacities of Maryland’s leaders.” Fifty-two accomplished and diverse leaders are selected for the program annually. Leaders from businesses, education, government, nonprofits and labor unions are chosen to participate in an eight-month program which encompasses the education, economic development, health and human services, criminal justice, environment, agriculture, and multiculturalism of the State of Maryland. Every month, the class travels to a different part of the state for two days to gain knowledge of a region and to study and reflect on the issues that affect that area as well as the entire state and country.

Renee Winsky, president and CEO of Leadership Maryland, said, “We encourage alumni from county Leadership programs to apply, as well as leaders from every sector. This is a unique program in that it is a statewide network; it acquaints leaders with elected officials and provides them with insights into the challenges of both the public and private sectors. Leadership Maryland is an excellent program that attracts a diverse group of leaders who become lifelong friends and colleagues as they share unique experiences.”

Kuo said, “What I gained from my eight months with Leadership Maryland never leaves my mind. I had the opportunity to speak with a cross-section of people who live in Maryland, including inmates from the Western Maryland Correctional Institution to U.S. veterans who had returned to the U.S. and now find themselves homeless. What an eye-opening experience. Every decision I now make as an administrator with the U.S. Department of Transportation is influenced by my experiences at Leadership Maryland. For 31 years, I was the chief administrator of the Maryland Vehicle Administration where we focused on highway safety, among other things. Now that I am with the federal DOT, I deal with other issues, but always consider what I learned at Leadership Maryland. It was invaluable — and the networking opportunities with more than 1,000 former graduates of the program are everlasting and so important to me. I always have someone to contact to discuss problems and get advice.”

A typical year’s program for Leadership Maryland requires two days per month for eight months. The first class meeting is a two-day orientation in April for fostering interpersonal relationships and team building. In May, the group visits southern Maryland to study the educational system of Maryland and explore historic St. Mary’s City, the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. June features reviewing the challenges and future of health and human services in Maryland, touring the Maryland Center for Veteran’s Education and Training, learning about the economics of the Port of Baltimore, an overview of the University of Maryland Medical System and a tour of the R Adams Cowley Shock-Trauma Center. Participants also study the Living Classroom Foundation.

In July, the class meets in Western Maryland to review the Criterion Wind Project, tour the Garrett College Aquatic Center, discuss shale gas and to visit the North Branch Correctional Institution, a maximum security prison. The class spends an emotionally and intellectually-charged day with inmates, discussing why they are incarcerated, how they can return to the community and Maryland’s public safety and correctional institution policies.

No meetings are held in August. In September, the class studies Maryland’s agriculture business as well as environmental issues by traveling to the Eastern Shore. They cruise the Nanticoke River, visit Cornerstone Farm which raises chickens for Perdue Farms as well as produce, vegetables and grain, study the complexity of oyster and blue crab fisheries, the business of chicken farming and then tour the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury State University. October finds them in the Capital region of Anne Arundel, Prince Georges and Montgomery counties. Multiculturalism and diversity in Maryland are the topics and the class identifies issues around these topics and discusses solutions. They tour the Music Center at Strathmore and the Strathmore Mansion, the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and the Transportation Management Center. The group wraps up in November by reflecting on their program, discussing life after their program year, and action items. A black-tie graduation ceremony is held in November.

During the year, state and local government officials, including the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor meet with the leadership class to discuss topics of interest regarding the state. Many of the session speakers are leaders in the State of Maryland.

As Dr. Catherine R. Gira, President Emerita, Frostburg State University, said, “I was honored to be a member of the inaugural class in 1993 and found it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life. The Leadership Maryland program was immeasurably enriched by the excellence and varied experiences and expertise of my classmates."

Applications for the Class of 2016 are available now on-line at www.leadershipmd.org. These applications, required documents and application fee are due by Friday, Oct. 30. One may nominate himself or herself or be nominated by a third party, including their company, an organization or another person. For more information, call 410-841-2101.