Fifteen people - deemed to be leaders in the making and nominated to participate in the local chamber of commerce's leadership program - graduated at a March 26 ceremony at Seven Seas Inn in Mandan.

The group, which has participated in workshops twice a month since September, are the 19th class to graduate from the program, which attempts to strengthen leadership skills through skill-building curricula. The idea is to help develop local leaders who actively participate in and support community progress, says Susie Kocourek, senior program director for the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce.

Some graduates of the chamber's program have gone on to get involved in such community activities as political offices, task forces and committees.

Graduating in March were Amanda Bakkedahl of AAA Travel & Insurance; Paul Benning, North Dakota Department of Transportation; Joe Bird, Ameriprise Financial; Duane Boeder, Advanced Office Solutions; Katie Bommersbach, Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Eden Bozeman, WBIHoldings Inc.; Jaclyn Bugbee, St. Alexius Medical Center Foundation; Greg Ellwein, Gate City Bank; Wes Engbrecht, Capital Electric Cooperative; Mark Hanson, MDUResources Group; Robin Morgan, Agency MABU; Marnie Piehl, Odney Advertising; Crystal Reid, Bismarck Tribune; Katie Simmers, Starion Financial; and Lyn Weigel, Aetna.

- Virginia Grantier