The PEAK Leadership Program is a 10-month adult community leadership program serving the communities of Clallam and Jefferson Counties on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Clallam and Jefferson Counties enjoy world-class resources of water, national forests and parks, tourism, intellectual capital, diverse perspectives, and political tensions, any of which would benefit from leadership that possesses the foresight and skills to meet current and future opportunities. By contrast, the two-county region is also facing rapid population growth, dramatic changes in the economic base, industrial and agricultural declines, ideological impasses, reductions in federal and state support, all of which present complex challenges to its residents.

The PEAK Leadership Program invests in the leadership capacity of the region by developing leaders who are:

• Purposeful
• Effective
• Authentic
• the Keystone of quality leaders.

The PEAK Leadership Program serves as the catalyst for developing leaders who comprehend the complexities and interconnectivity of our North Olympic Peninsula communities.

A PEAK Leader learns to demonstrate initiative, provide focus and action on priority issues, mobilize community assets and skills, appreciate the uniqueness and value of each community and people, and serve the greater interests.

The goal of the PEAK Leadership Program is to develop leaders on all levels who work to strengthen our region and serve as catalysts to effectively deal with today’s changing world. It accomplishes this through a series of one day and multiple day sessions, held each month at different locations throughout the North Olympic Peninsula in order to bring into focus the significant challenges facing the two-county region.

Throughout the 10-month process, PEAK Leaders have the opportunity to build meaningful community relationships, gain understanding of the uniqueness of each community, better comprehend the breadth of perspective on issues, demonstrate initiative, exercise sound decision-making and gain appreciation for the region’s unique resources and challenges.

Upon completion of the program, a PEAK Leader will possess a more balanced and comprehensive understanding of the complex nature in which each community is interdependent on the other, irrespective of jurisdictional or county lines.

The enhanced leadership skills acquired through participation in the PEAK Leadership Program benefits employers, businesses, governments, organizations, local communities, the region, and beyond. Specifically, among other benefits:

• Businesses will have employees with increased organizational, leadership and problem solving skills and will possess fresh insights into the community and where/how strategic alliances might be forged.
• Communities gain committed, knowledgeable, action-oriented people equipped to foster positive change, including the ability to understand and apply multiple perspectives to a range of circumstances; address barriers to positive accomplishments and practice conflict resolution and empathetic communication skills.
• Individuals will have the opportunity to build positive relationships with influential, top thinkers and decision-makers who will provide insights and direction for future successes.

The PEAK Leadership Program launched in September 2008 as a joint project of EDC Team Jefferson and Peninsula College. It is the result of many years of exploration and planning; it is the culmination of a shared community vision for leadership on all levels that works to strengthen our communities on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Meet the 2008-2009 PEAK Leadership Program Administrative Team:

• Dr. Thomas Keegan, President, Peninsula College
• Katherine Baril, Director, EDC Team Jefferson
• Danille Turissini, PEAK Director & Project Coordinator (Staff)

The 2008-2009 PEAK Leadership Program was just the beginning! Since its inception in March 2008, the program has been jointly managed, promoted and funded by EDC Team Jefferson and Peninsula College. By partnering in the development of a regional community leadership initiative, these organizations wished to exemplify the benefits of collaboration, to demonstrate the qualities of such leadership and how to apply its principles towards a more cohesive enterprise of community and economic health in our region.

Click here to view all contributors to the 2008-2009 PEAK Leadership Program.

• Danille Turissini, Port Ludlow (email or 360-301-4134)

• Joe Murray, Pysht-Clallam Bay, Managing Forester, Merrill & Ring Pysht Tree Farm
  
• Meri Parker, President, Ozett Associates, LLC
• John Calhoun Forks, Director, UW Olympic Natural Resources Center, and Clallam County Port Commissioner
• Bill Wise, Port Townsend, chair, EDC Team Jefferson
• Becky McGinty, Port Angeles, small business owner, PEAK Class I
• Jan Gannett, Sequim, small business owner, PEAK Class I
• Ian McFall, Brinnon, corporate business consultant
• Katherine Baril, Port Townsend, director, WSU Jefferson County Extension
• Shelby Smith, Port Hadlock, administrative assistant, EDC Team Jefferson
• Craig Weir, Port Townsend, EDC Team Jefferson

Meet the 2008-2010 PEAK Leadership Program Advisory Board:

• Susan Bauer, Peninsula Development District
• John Brewer, Publisher, Peninsula Daily News
• Larry Crockett, ED, Port of Pt. Townsend
• Vic Dirksen, CEO, Jefferson Healthcare
• Eric Lewis, CEO, Olympic Medical Ctr.
• Kyle Montgomery, Port Ludlow, Expeditors-Seattle
• Thomas Opstad, Superintendent, PTSD
• Meri Parker, President, Ozett Associates, LLC
• Bruce Paul, Pres., Forks Chamber
• Linda Rotmark, ED, Clallam Co. EDC
• Michelle Sandoval, Mayor, City of Pt. Townsend
• Bill Wise, Chair, EDC Team Jefferson