Selma mayor-elect Darrio Melton will join eight other regional leaders as part of this year’s Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy.

The Delta Regional Authority is kicking off the 2016-2017 academy, welcoming community and business leaders from Alabama to join a class of 53 fellows from each of the eight Delta region states.

This year is the 12th class of the executive academy, a yearlong leadership development program.

“The DRA is committed to increasing the capacity of our region’s talent — and we believe that investing in our people is the best way to do just that,” DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill said. “These leaders have already accomplished so much in their own communities. Now the DLI will help them further their work — establishing regional networks and harnessing the energy of these leaders to make our Delta stronger.”

Masingill and each state’s governor nominated each fellow.

In addition to Melton, other fellows from Alabama are Carrie Banks, communications director, Alabama League of Municipalities; Marcus Campbell, chairman, Sumter County Commission; Cedric Campbell, project manager, board of directors, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc.; Winfield Ezell Jr., CEO, Obsidian Creative Studios; Maureen Neighbors, community services unit chief, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs; Susan Smith, city councilwoman, city of Atmore; and Tiffany Smith, Americorps VISTA, community needs and partnership development, United Way of West Alabama.

As part of the executive academy, participants will attend seven sessions across the region and in Washington, D.C. Topics explored will include workforce training and education; public health; transportation and infrastructure; tourism and more.