Board of Regents Chairman Bennett C. Whitlock announced Thursday that Leadership Prince William had hired Kathy Bentz as the organization’s new executive director.
Bentz said she is excited to start working in her new position.
“I couldn’t be more excited. I’m a graduate of the program. I have a personal interest in it, and I feel like it’s really a program that gives back to the community,” Bentz said.
Bentz is a business owner, graduate of the Leadership Prince William Class of 2010 and long-time area resident. She said it will be difficult to leave her business, but she would not do it, if she did not feel so strongly about Leadership Prince William.
“Really strange to give that up, but this is something I really wanted to do,” Bentz.
“We believe Kathy is the right person to work with our board, our alumni and class members and our many volunteers to take Leadership Prince William to the next level,” said Chairman Whitlock. “She brings the right mix of skills, experience and enthusiasm to the job."
As executive director of Leadership Prince William, Bentz will lead a vibrant organization that nurtures, trains and supports leaders in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.
Bentz’s experience working both in and alongside private industry and local government made her an ideal candidate for her new position. Through her consulting firm, Bentz Communications, she represented a variety of Prince William organizations, including the Arts Council, Americans in Wartime Museum and Greater Prince William Community Health Center. While as communications director for the Prince William County Government, she represented local officials.
Whitlock thinks Bentz's extensive experience will help Leadership Prince William evolve, saying, “Leadership Prince William is building on six years of success and poised for future growth.”
Leadership Prince William is a private, non-profit organization formed by the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce and Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce. It offers program that are designed to assist in readying community members for leadership positions in business, local government and community organizations.
Whitlock describes the organization's approach as “innovative,” because Leadership Prince William offers a series of courses that aim to “inspire, enlighten, and connect civic-minded individuals.”
He believes Bentz is the right person to lead an organization of leaders.
Since 2007, more than 150 people have graduated from the Prince William Leadership programs and are actively contributing to the community. Each year, the organization conducts another 10-month leadership development program for existing or emerging leaders, or those interested in learning more about business, local government and community affairs.
Leadership Prince William is currently recruiting for the class of 2014. Applications are being accepted through May 30, 2013, for those interested in applying for the next leadership development program. Information and applications are available at www.LeadershipPrinceWilliam.org.
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