Leadership Montgomery County (LMC) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to developing and enhancing current and future leaders of Montgomery County.
The mission of LMC is to develop and promote the future leadership for Montgomery County by enhancing current business and community leaders while identifying and developing emerging leaders.
LMC is a joint project of the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce. The Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce, the Community Chamber of East Montgomery County and the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber are also participating Chambers in the LMC program. Each participant of LMC must be a member of one of these chambers.
Leadership Montgomery County is a member of the Association of Leadership Professionals and the Association of Texas Leadership Programs.
The LMC Program promotes knowledge, awareness and insight into our community.
Crafted by the Board of Directors and Session Directors, the program provides an educational forum and mentoring opportunity for participants. Students meet on a Thursday of each month at various locations. Maps, agenda and speaker biographies are provided for students prior to each class.
Retreat: The initial group activity is a retreat held at the beginning of each class year. It includes a “Challenge by Choice” ropes course. A variety of activities are conducted to help class members bond as a team and discover individual strengths as leaders. Planning, coordination, individual contributions, teamwork, coaching and supporting each other are learned throughout this fast-paced portion of the retreat. At the end of the retreat, all agree that it is a most meaningful experience, as well as a good time. The participants make new friends and look forward to the next nine months of the LMC sessions designed to enable them to become better leaders in Montgomery County.
Quality of Life Session: This session provides class members with a tour of the many opportunities our community has to offer. A bus tour covers the northern part of the county, to the Fairgrounds, and a stop at the airport. The tour has also included the Crighton Theatre, Owen Theatre, Spring Creek Nature Preserve and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
Infrastructure Session: Many of the people who live and work in this great county are unaware of what it takes to make it run smoothly. The speakers for this session on county infrastructure enlighten the participants as to the mechanisms that are in place and the management it takes for all of us to enjoy excellent roadways, water, sewer and drainage services, utilities, fire service and telecommunications. The speakers emphasize the many choices that consumers will have in the future for the various services for home and business.
Government Session: The LMC Government session brings our national, state, regional and community leaders together in one day. Commissioners’ Court is an excellent way to begin an understanding of how the government maintains the quality of life in Montgomery County. Through presentations and interaction with the County Judge, the participants learn the responsibilities of the Commissioners’ Court. Representation from our state and federal legislators is an important highlight of this session that everyone enjoys, in addition to presentations from city and community leaders.
Public Safety/Criminal Justice Session: This is a real eye-opening experience – a first hand view of what goes on behind the bars of one of the largest county jails in the state of Texas. Law enforcement experts explain to the participants how public safety is maintained in Montgomery County through the system of city, county and state law enforcement agencies and five constable offices. Part of the day is spent in a courtroom to experience how the justice system operates and to view the use of technology in the courtroom. Also included is a tour of the County Jail, 911 Communication Center and the Juvenile Justice facility.
Economic Development Session: The Economic Development Session paints a broad picture of the wide variety of businesses and industries flourishing in the area. In addition to hearing presentations by local economic development experts in Montgomery County, the group is taken on a tour of several emerging companies. During the tours, the group has an opportunity to ask questions and expand their base of knowledge regarding economic development in one of the fastest growing counties in the United States, our own Montgomery County.
Healthcare Session: The Healthcare Session was added in 2002 as the result of a suggestion that one of the class participants made on a session evaluation. She felt that healthcare in Montgomery County is so important that it deserved its own session. The Board agreed. During the day, we get information on the major hospitals in the county and the services they provide, hear from some of the specialty healthcare providers, have a presentation on the Montgomery County Hospital District, and have a tour of one of our state-of-the art local hospitals.
Education Session: This session is hosted at an educational facility in Montgomery County. Participants gain a better understanding of current educational challenges, such as funding, high growth areas, and safety for our students. Presentations by representatives from area public and private schools outline their biggest challenges and future plans.
Leadership Development Session: This session encompasses a value-based evaluation devoted to leadership behavior, best practices and what it takes to understand your own leadership qualities. The participants come away with a better understanding of their own leadership values and what it takes to motivate and lead others. This is one of the favorite sessions of the curriculum and one that participants remember for many years to come.
Graduation: The nine-month course ends in a celebration honoring the participants who complete the requirements of the program. The event is a combined luncheon of the members of the Greater Conroe Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Montgomery County/Woodlands Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon includes the presentation of certificates of completion to the participants and graduation plaques to the graduates. LMC alumni are recruited to serve as celebrity waiters for the event to help raise additional funds for the program.