January 1st, 2008 was an important date for the American workforce. It marked the date when tens of thousands of Baby Boomers began retiring from the workforce each year. Most organizations are not prepared for the coming perfect storm caused by this exodus, the relatively small numbers of Generation X to replace the leaving Baby Boomers, and the work attitudes of Generation Y.

There are several questions to be answered:
• How are we going to motivate and lead this new generation of workers?
• How are we going to capture the vast knowledge from the baby boomers before they leave?
• How will the workplace change in the next 10 years?

Come to the Maude Cobb Convention Center’s Eitelman Conference Room, 100 Grand Blvd., on Friday, August 12 from 9:00am to 12:00pm to find solutions.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. Please contact the Kilgore College SBDC, 903-757- 5857 or 800-338-7232 or go to www.kilgoresbdc.com to reserve your spot today. Seating is limited and early registration is highly recommended.

Just-elected Kasha Williams and Wayne Frost (a returning councilman from District 4) recently took the oath of office at a specially called meeting of the Longview City Council.  Williams defeated opponents Victoria Wilson and Wray Wade to replace outgoing District 3 council member Ms. Sidney Bell Willis, who served on the Council for nine years.
Longview Mayor Jay Dean, council members and the city manager thanked Willis for her many years of service.  Each speaker shared a fond memory of Willis and recounted lessons they learned from this one-time music teacher.  Willis herself ended this touching occasion with a tearful farewell during which she thanked council members for their past support and encouraged them to keep up the good work now that the Council has new faces.
During her nine years on the council Willis worked with Future Planning, the Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO,) Litter and Beautification, and Streets.
She believes her replacement Williams is up to the task and wished her well.

City Council Woman District 3 Sydney Willis says her goodbye to the Council as City manager and Mayor Jay Dean look on.

Shelly Ballinger, city secretary, administers oath of office to newly-elected Kasha Williams as mother Kathy Williams watches.

City secretary Shelly Ballinger swears in City Councilman District 4 Wayne Frost.

Leadership Longview graduating class of 2010-2011 recently finished their class project at the Arc of Gregg County. The Class took an overgrown backyard and turned it into a vegetable, herb and flower garden.
In addition, they built a patio for those who cannot work in the dirt to sit and enjoy the beauty and bounty of the garden.
The Arc of Gregg County debut in 1960 and is a United Way Agency. The Arc is committed to expanding opportunities for people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities in order to enhance their daily lives. Moreover, the Arc supports families, promotes education and provides advocacy.
According to Brad Robison, class president Leadership Longview, 2010-2011 their class project was special to him. A cousin of Robison has Trisami18 -Down syndrome. His prognosis was a life span of 5 years at the most. However, with the help of local organizations like the Arc and others he defied the prognosis. His cousin recently celebrated his 25th birthday. Robison on behalf of his class said, “Places like the Arc really do make a difference in our community, and it has been our privilege to give back to them.” Arc reminds everyone that “Working together, we can create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities to be included in their communities. This really is a special place and we should all be proud of the work they are doing for Longview.”
Leadership Longview program serves as a catalyst to generate progressive and effective leadership within the community.
This year’s graduates are: Steve Archer, Community Healthcore; Dr. Daman Billodeaux, Eastman Chemical Company; Gina Bolton Winn Professional Engineers;  Lynn Bridges, Bethany Home Health;  Carlos DeHoyos, Titan Mechanical; Anthony Fail, Southside Bank; Gary Ford, Network IP; Cliff Hole, Citizens National Bank; Claire Henderson, Longview Regional Medical Center; Chad Hinton, Austin Bank; Jon Keller, First Bank and Trust; Kelly Kinsey, LEDCO;  Jeff Martin, Gillespie Coatings, Inc.; Rolin McPhee, City of Longview; Mary Ann Miller, City of Longview; John Norris, Neiman Marcus Distribution Center;  Kari Pickering, Alzheimer’s Association;  David Reed, Eastman Chemical Company; Brad Robison, JP Morgan Chase Bank; Leslee Schneck, Buffco Production Co.; Heather Scott, BancorpSouth; Michael Tubb, Gains & Smith Insurance; and Stephanie Wolford, Spring Hill State Bank.

Leadership Longview Class of 2010 cuts ribbon at Arc of Gregg County

Contributing writer Kelly Bell

The Longview Economic Development Council (LEDCO) is riding a run of success stretching back several months.  It currently has 39 projects that are already operating profitably, and queries for new ones are coming in constantly.

Twenty-five local companies are using the highly successful WorkKeys program.  Also, LEDCO is helping the Workforce Solutions Center acquire new equipment for job seekers to use to take the WorkKeys Assessment.  AND the new North Business Park prescription drugs without a prescription is open and in operation.

The LEDCO Buy Local program has reached out to the I Shop Longview initiative to assist in its quest to convince local consumers over the counter cialis to spend their dollars locally.  If this program succeeds in transferring just 5% of residents’ out-of-the-area spending back to Longview it will circulate $225 million into the local economy.

LEDCO’s board of directors has voted in Susan Manzarakes, CEcD as executive director.  Manzarakes has been working with LEDCO for eight years, serving in the areas of workforce development, business retention, business attraction, and retail development.  She had served as interim director since December.