SPEDA board treasurer Forrest Spillman has been selected as a member of the 2024 class of Leadership Lake Cumberland, a nine-month program dedicated to developing a diverse group of leaders who serve as catalysts for a stronger community.

This year’s program started with a two-day retreat in early April, where the class’s 37 participants spent time getting to know one another and themselves through a series of team-building activities.

Sponsored by the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lake Cumberland brings together a selected group of people who possess a variety of leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activities to gain insight into complex issues facing the region. They will meet and talk with the region’s current leaders and explore various business sectors during the next eight months as they examine ways to help the communities in which they live. Topics will include education, health and human services, law and justice, business and technology, industry, tourism and more.

Spillman, who is in his 24th year of teaching at Somerset High School, said his favorite part of the opening retreat was meeting more than 30 people with whom he was previously unfamiliar. He said he appreciated how the sessions allowed participants to consider their personalities and how they mesh with others in both positive and negative ways.

“I am now eager to build upon these new friendships in the coming months as we forge new bonds and connections as the year progresses,” Spillman said. “I am certain that each participant felt somewhat out of their comfort zone at some point during the retreat, but experiencing a little discomfort is a key way we can grow as leaders in our community and as individuals.”

In addition to serving as a founding board member of SPEDA, Spillman serves as vice president of the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He was recognized as the Chamber’s Educator of the Year in 2020.

“We are thrilled to be able to support Forrest in his personal and professional growth through the Chamber Leadership program,” SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said. “Forrest is a natural leader, an outstanding educator, and a wonderful representative of Somerset-Pulaski County. I look forward to seeing how he applies what he learns through this program to the many community service efforts he is involved in.”