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Four appointed to Delta Regional Authority

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:08 PM CDT

THE SOUTHERN

Four Southern Illinois residents have been selected by Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the Delta Regional Authority to participate in the Delta Leadership Institute.

The annual program, which will include 34 participants from eight states, aims to create a core group of leaders with regional and national perspectives on issues facing the nation.

Members of this year's class include:

l Sara Bond of Marion: Bond owns three companies and serves as the development director for the Foundation for Human Services. She was one of the founders of an area shelter for abused children, and was named as Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Social Work citizen of the year alongside her husband Shawn last year.

l Bryce Cramer of Murphysboro: Cramer joined the Egyptian Electric Cooperative in 1980 and has served as a district manager and member services manager since 1985. He has served as president of the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Jackson County Business Development Corp. board.

l Dale Fowler of Harrisburg: Fowler works as the chief engineer at the Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg. He has served as president of the United Way of Southern Illinois, United Way of Saline County, the First Presbyterian Church board of deacons and the Southeastern Illinois College Athletic Booster Club.

l Martine Jackson of Carbondale: Jackson works as a partner in the Rhode and Jackson law firm, a computer consulting company and a consulting firm that helps new businesses in Southern Illinois. She was one of the founders of a program to provide professional attire to law students in need of funds and has served on the board of St. Francis Animal Shelter and SIU Entrepreneurship Center.

The first session of the leadership program took place earlier this month, and other sessions are planned in October, January and April.