We hope this E-newsletter finds you well and sharing the beauty and goodwill of the holiday season! LEAD VIRGINIA's offices will be closed during the Christmas-New Year's week, re-opening on January 2, 2008. Don Zacherl, '07 and Beth Bortz, '07 during the LEAD VIRGINIA Richmond Class of 2007 Holiday Gathering. Sandy Fitz-Hugh, Chairman of LEAD VIRGINIA and Ned Massee, '07 during the LEAD VIRGINIA Richmond Class of 2007 Holiday Gathering.

Alumni Committee Organizes The 2008 Alumni Committee has been formally approved by LEAD VIRGINIA alumni. Our appreciation to Elissa Ecker '06, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, for heading up the Alumni Nominating Committee efforts and presenting a ballot to the alumni. The Alumni Committee for 2008 will consist of Officers, Communications Representatives from each class year and Regional Alumni Representatives from each area of the Commonwealth. The following Alumni Committee members will take their positions effective January 1, 2008: President: Bernie Niemeier '07, Virginia Business Vice Presidents: Chandra Lantz '06, Hirschler Fleischer and Keith McCrea '07, Virginia Department of Aviation Secretary: Pat Harvey '07, Richard Bland College Historian: Dave Faulders '07, Executive Counsel, PLC Communications Representatives: Class of 2005: Donna Fleming, College Summit Class of 2006: Amy Nisenson, Wachovia Class of 2007: Alan Hill, XO Communications Regional Alumni Representatives: Hampton Roads: Angela Blackwell '07, Lead Hampton Roads Northern Virginia: Bob Steere '06, Steere Consulting Partners, LLC Richmond: Iris Holliday '07, Dominion Shenandoah Valley: Bill Figaro '05, GROW! LLC and Steve Rosenberg '07, Augusta County Attorney Southern Virginia: Kate Berger '05, Southside Paralegal Service Southwest Virginia: Donna Stanley '07, Mountain Empire Community College The Class of 2007 began a spirited conversation about meaningful alumni engagement opportunities even before their final class session in Richmond got underway, with class members attending a luncheon hosted by Leslie Peterson '07, Chmura Economics & Analytics and Don Zacherl '07, TC Technologies, LLC held at the CJW Medical Center in Richmond in November. Watch for some exciting news in January about plans for an Alumni Regional Session in 2008, modeled after the class regional sessions but featuring a trip to an area of Virginia not covered during the class year!

2005-2007 LEAD VIRGINIA Yearbook and Directory Should be in your hands by now. LEAD VIRGINIA appreciates the generous efforts and support of Virginia Business in the design and publication of this first-ever three year compilation of alumni. Directories were also sent to Governor Kaine and his Cabinet Secretaries as well as all members of the Virginia General Assembly.

Recruiting the Class of 2008 The deadline is fast approaching for applications for the LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2008. Applications are due into the LEAD VIRGINIA office by January 15, 2008. Curriculum themes for 2008 will include Economy, Education (Workforce) and Health. Transportation will move to one of the six perspectives covered in each region, with obvious emphasis in regions it remains a critical issue. The six perspectives covered will include: Technology, Transportation, Economic Development, Demographics, Growth Management and Quality of Life. Applications began arriving in the LEAD VIRGINIA office in October, but your assistance is crucial to ensure that every region and every perspective is represented in the Class of 2008. Please make a New Year's Resolution to reach out to candidates you have identified as being the high caliber individuals that LEAD VIRGINIA needs to continue along its pathway of representing the best of the best in future programs! Application deadline: January 15, 2008 Applications available online at www.leadvirginia.org Contact Amanda Luttrell at 804-237-1461 or at aluttrell@leadva.org if you have additional questions.