CANTON, GA (September 10, 2026) – Leadership Cherokee, a program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, graduated its 37th Anniversary Class during a September 10th ceremony sponsored by Waites Law Firm. With the completion of this year’s class, the Alumni count now totals over 770 graduates.
Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2026 selected two of their peers to receive special annual recognitions. The Cristal Stancil Leadership Award honoree, Alex King with Source Fitness Management, was selected by his classmates as the group’s outstanding leader. The Bob Frongillo “Magic Spark Plug” Award was presented to Nick Carberry with Carberry Consulting based upon his classmates finding him to be the group’s best all-round member and having a high-spirited attitude. Outgoing 2026 Leadership Cherokee Chair, Jamie Gianfala, Police Chief, City of Ball Ground was commended by Incoming Chair, Sheila Keeffe, His Hands Church, for his dedication to the Chamber’s sought-after leadership program.
The Leadership Cherokee program kicks-off annually with a Retreat where the group participates in both indoor and outdoor team building exercises that enable them to learn not only about each other, but themselves through a look at personality types and communication styles. Over the course of a nine-month period, Leadership Cherokee exposes the group of existing and emerging leaders to our diverse county as well as a broad range of topics such as economic development, infrastructure, government, justice, arts, education, recreation, tourism, public safety, healthcare, and social/human services.
The nomination period for the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2027 ends at midnight on September 30th. For information on the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2027 visit the Chamber’s website, CherokeeChamber.com, email Leadership@CherokeeChamber.com, or contact the Chamber office at 770-345-0400.
The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to support and connect businesses to create economic success.
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LC Class of 2026 Photo ID
Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2026 included: Front Row (l to r): Lisa-Marie Haygood, Cherokee County Educational Foundation; Michelle Dissman, Cherokee County Solicitor-General’s Office; Alessandra Hale, Coosa Valley Credit Union; Nick Carberry, Carberry Consulting; Tia Bryller, Cherokee County School District; Meg Davidson, Woodstock City Church; Corie Stawicki, Northside Hospital Cherokee; Christin Becker, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce; Lee Smith, Cherokee Office of Economic Development; Hailey Gagner, Cherokee County Family and Children Services.
Back Row (l to r): Alex King, Source Fitness Management; Mike Rostin, Chick-fil-A; Palmer Rogers, City of Ball Ground; Jacky Cheng, City of Canton.; Lee Oliver, Thrive Canton; Kaycee Smith, In Harmony Pediatric Therapy; Kasey Smith, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; Jaimie Sims, EmpowerME Wellness; Steve Shrout, Cherokee Recreation & Parks.
Leadership Cherokee Class of 2026 Awards
Pictured (l to r) Alex King, Source Fitness Management, recipient of the Cristal Stancil Leadership Award; Jamie Gianfala, Police Chief, City of Ball Ground and 2026 Chair of Leadership Cherokee; Nick Carberry, Carberry Consulting, recipient of the Bob Frongillo “Magic Spark Plug” Award.
