Leadership Loudoun Youth
“Making Loudoun County the Best Place to Grow Up”
Leadership Loudoun Youth Class of 2011:
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Little did John Wood know that the good-natured computer hacking he did in
college would lead to a multi-million dollar business right here in Loudoun
County. The CEO of cyber security firm Telos Corporation in Ashburn was one of
many business and government leaders offering sage advice to 26 high school
students on their journey through Leadership Loudoun Youth.
After a morning of interactive presentations from Loudoun County
Administrator Tim Hemstreet, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and
Sugarland Run District Supervisor Susan Klimek Buckley, Virginia House of
Delegates Rep. Tag Greason and Loudoun County School Board Dulles District Rep.
Robert DuPree, the teens gained a better understanding of how their local and
state government operates, as well as how they play a key role in its success.
"Salesmanship is the root of everything you will do as a leader," noted Del.
Greason. "If you can't inspire and motivate people, you won't get very far."
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Sugarland Run District
Supervisor Susan Buckley added that "You don't need a title to be a leader.
Anyone can make a difference. You just have to get involved."
The teens spent the afternoon learning how the business community and local
government work in synergy to make Loudoun such a special place. They visited
with Tony Howard, CEO, Loudoun County
Chamber of Commerce. Grafton deButts, Membership Sales
Manager, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, led a referral marketing
activity. Telos CEO John
Wood recounted that a simple signage dispute led to his involvement in Loudoun
County government. Not only did he get more signage space but went on to found
the CEO Cabinet and has been a key player in the county's Economic Development
Commission and many other initiatives ever since. "The key to success in
business is collaboration," Wood said. "You have to be able to work with people
toward a common goal. That takes persuasion, motivation, conflict resolution and
compromise – skills that are as important in life as in business."
Equally important is financial literacy, noted Charles Kapur, a vice
president of Virginia Commerce Bank, the founding partner and grand sponsor of
Leadership Loudoun Youth. Kapur, along with colleague Leah Day, offered advice
on money management – and that it's never too early to start planning for
retirement.
Retirement was hardly on the teens' minds, however, as they practiced job
interviewing in the afternoon with none other than Donald Trump (actually LLY
co-founder Mike Morgan in Trump mask). The teens also practiced their public
speaking skills in preparation for the closing ceremony, in which they will
offer personal impressions and testimonies about their week.
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LLY2011 Day 3 Photo Gallery below:
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professional photos above courtesy
Nancy Baker;
amateur photos below courtesy Mike
Morgan
