Congratulations to the Leadership Vicksburg Class of 2025!

Over the past nine-months, this incredible group has explored what it means to lead with purpose—diving into The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, mastering project management skills, and learning from key site visits to organizations that power our community. From city and county government to education, healthcare, and industry giants like Ergon, USACE, and ERDC—they gained insight into what makes Vicksburg thrive.

This class didn’t just learn—they acted. We’re proud to announce the launch of their Community Projects listed above.

Each project is designed to leave a lasting impact on Vicksburg and Warren County. We can’t wait to see these ideas come to life!

Leadership Vicksburg had an incredible site visit to the Vicksburg Harbor with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Office! We learned how 41% of the nation’s water flows through Vicksburg and gained insight into the massive effort it takes to manage the mighty Mississippi River. Bonus highlight: touring a few tugboats up close!

A huge thank you to @USACE Vicksburg District for the tour and to Goldie’s Express for the delicious lunch!

#LeadershipVicksburg #VicksburgChamberMember #VicksburgMS #USACE #mississippiriver #VicksburgMS

Leadership Vicksburg Visits ERDC for Innovation Day!

Our group had an eye-opening experience at ERDC’s Innovation Day, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge research and technology.

We kicked things off with a briefing from Public Affairs Chief, Mary Margaret Edney, followed by fascinating tours of the Environmental Laboratory and the GSL Centrifuge Research Center.

We wrapped up the day with lunch in the cafeteria and left with a deeper appreciation for the engineers and researchers working on innovative solutions for a safer, better world.

A huge thank you to ERDC for hosting us and showcasing the incredible work happening right here in Vicksburg!

#LeadershipVicksburg #InnovationDay #ERDC #STEM #EngineeringExcellence

Thank You, Senator Hopson & Representatives Denton, Ford, and Harness!

Leadership Vicksburg had an incredible day at the Mississippi State Capitol!  We had the honor of meeting with Senator Hopson and Representatives Denton, Ford, and Harness, who shared their initiatives and insights with us.

Our group was introduced during both the House and Senate sessions, and a highlight of the day was enjoying lunch with Senator Hopson!  A huge thank you to our state leaders for their time and dedication to our community!

#LeadershipVicksburg #MSLegislature #CivicEngagement #ThankYou

Leadership Vicksburg visited Ergon, Inc. Refining Plant located at the Vicksburg Port for Manufacturing Day!

Learning about Ergon’s rich history and how their products impact industries around the world was truly fascinating.

A huge thank you to the Ergon team for giving us an inside look at their operations and taking us on a tour of the plant!  It was an unforgettable experience.

#LeadershipVicksburg #ManufacturingDay #Ergon #Innovation #IndustryLeaders

In December, Leadership Vicksburg had the privilege of touring Merit Health River Region and meeting some of the incredible staff who keep the hospital running smoothly:

• David Fox, CEO
• Trevor Spadling, Asst CEO
• Dr. Stanley, Medical Executive Director & Chair of the Hospital Board of Trustees
• Laurie Neely, Chief Nursing Officer
• Vanessa Stark, Chief Quality Officer
• Spring Bowlin, Director of Radiology
• Mr. James Smith, Director of Pharmacy
• Mr. Jerald Johnson, Director of IT

Did you know?

•  Their Stroke Center can dissolve clots and treat you if you arrive within 4 hours of a stroke.
•  Radiology performs 200 scans a day!
• The ER admissions process has been improved—you’re seen by medical staff within 30 minutes for your initial assessment.
• Project SEARCH is also based here, providing young people with disabilities the tools they need to transition into productive adult lives.

A big thank you to Alexis Jacobs-Jones for coordinating such a successful visit!

#LeadershipVicksburg #MeritHealthRiverRegion #VicksburgMS #VicksburgChamberMember

The team met for an exciting team-building retreat at Tara Wildlife.

During the retreat, they discussed topics that matter most to them, laying the groundwork for their community project. Four teams were formed Beautiful Horizons, The Atomic Crushers, Weak Matches – We don’t burn bridges, we build them, and Running with the Bull Market. The teams engaged in various exercises, with Team Weak Matches winning the tower competition!

Archery was a hit as well—congrats to Margaret Wilkinson from Team “Running of the Bull Market” and Jeremy Jones from Team “Weak Matches” for hitting the target!

We also had a memorable trip down to the river on an open-air bus, enjoying the beautiful sights of the Mississippi River.

The Leadership Vicksburg cohort had an action-packed day as they kicked off their journey with a deep dive into the first habit: Be Proactive They also got their first lesson in project management and shared exciting ideas for their community projects.

They also engaged with local leaders, including Mayor George Flaggs, City of Vicksburg, Dr. Kelle Barfield, President of the Warren County Board Of Supervisors, and Pablo Diaz, President & CEO of the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce. It was an inspiring day of learning, collaboration, and leadership growth!

A big shoutout to Brick Street Market & Deli for the delicious sandwiches and to Ideal Training & Security Services LLC for the amazing messenger bags that are keeping everyone organized and ready to take on their leadership roles!

It was an inspiring day full of learning and growth! Stay tuned as we follow their exciting journey!

#LeadershipVicksburg #CommunityLeaders #vicksburgchambermember #vicksburgms #vicksburgmississippi

The team met for an exciting team-building retreat at Tara Wildlife.

During the retreat, they discussed topics that matter most to them, laying the groundwork for their community project. Four teams were formed Beautiful Horizons, The Atomic Crushers, Weak Matches – We don’t burn bridges, we build them, and Running with the Bull Market. The teams engaged in various exercises, with Team Weak Matches winning the tower competition!

Archery was a hit as well—congrats to Margaret Wilkinson from Team “Running of the Bull Market” and Jeremy Jones from Team “Weak Matches” for hitting the target!

We also had a memorable trip down to the river on an open-air bus, enjoying the beautiful sights of the Mississippi River.