Selma City School Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams has been named to the 2018-2019 Leadership Alabama Class XXIX.

“I am excited about being able to network across the state and learn about what is going on across the state,” said Williams.

Williams is the only individual that will represent the Selma and Black Belt area.

“I am happy to represent the Black Belt region,” said Williams.

Williams also said forming relationships with others across the state is something she is looking forward to.

“I participated in a leadership program in Huntsville,” she said. “The relationships that you build in these classes are so binding and strong. I still have some phenomenal friends that I still keep in touch with, and I am looking forward to doing that in this class as well.

“There’s a lot to be learned from others, and a lot to be garnered such as different ideas,” Williams said.

Leadership Alabama is a statewide program of Alabama leaders engaged in creating a network of relationships that seeks mutual understanding of problems and priorities of Alabama’s future.

During the program year, class members will convene in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, where they will hear challenging presentations and participate in class discussions to encourage them to make critical examinations of preconceived thoughts about our state, their communities and possibly themselves.  Leadership Alabama is a lifelong experience, and the new class members will join all former participants in continuing to impact positive change in Alabama.  Since 1990, Leadership Alabama has provided established leaders exposure to the broader fabric of the state, and it encourages its members to act, individually and in concert, to move our state forward in reaching its full potential.

“Leadership Alabama is an organization comprised of our state’s most accomplished and forward-thinking leaders who all share a strong commitment to serving Alabama and to continually moving it forward. The distinguished members of Class XXIX will fold into that same mantra and will continue to build on the strong foundation of positive change and growth as established by the preceding classes,” said Gordon G. Martin, the Leadership Alabama board chair for 2018 – 2019.

“I continue to see the energy and collaborative spirit shared by so many Leadership Alabama members throughout the state.  As the new executive director, my goal is to maintain the great legacy of the past 28 years while continuing to examine relevant topics and issues facing our state and challenging our members to respond in ways for the benefit of the greater good,” said Kate Cotton, the Executive Director of Leadership Alabama.