A select group of 20 members of the Georgia General Assembly recently completed the 2007 Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute. The special Vinson Institute initiative is designed to equip newer senators and representatives with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in today's legislative environment.

"Our goal is to help these dedicated public servants use their talents and creativity as leaders to address the complex issues facing Georgia," says Wes Wynens, Vinson Institute faculty member and manager of state training programs.

Participants in the two-session program are nominated by the House and Senate leadership. The first session, held in June 2007, focused on personal leadership skills development. During the second session in Atlanta in late September, the lawmakers had the opportunity to see how they could apply those skills to complicated issues currently facing the state, from both personal and group problem-solving perspectives. Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson presented certificates of completion to the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute graduates:

Class of 2007

Sen. Bill Cowsert (R)
Sen. Gail Davenport (D)
Sen. Bill Heath (R)
Sen. Ed Tarver (D)
Rep. Doug Collins (R)
Rep. Rick Crawford (D)
Rep. Hardee Davis (D)
Rep. Katie Dempsey (R)
Rep. Gloria Frazier (D)
Rep. Mike Glanton (D)
Rep. Mark Hamilton (R)
Rep. Wayne Howard (D)
Rep. Sean Jerguson (R)
Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D)
Rep. Doug McKillip (D)
Rep. Randy Nix (R)
Rep. Allen Peake (R)
Rep. Jimmy Pruett (R)
Rep. Barbara Sims (R)
Rep. Mark Williams (R)