Academy Formed to Educate New Leaders

Seeking to develop grass-roots solutions to community problems, a group of Ventura County professionals launched a countywide program Thursday to educate budding leaders in topics ranging from housing to tourism.

The Ventura County Leadership Academy, which will accept about 25 applicants a year, is the first of its kind for Ventura, although similar leadership programs exist in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Over wine and cheese at the Tower Club in Oxnard, committee members explained the program to about 70 interested business leaders.

Participants will attend 10 monthly sessions designed to familiarize them with county challenges. For instance, in the session on housing, they will visit homeless shelters as well as meet experts in the field.

The estimated cost of the program is $60,000, part of which will come from $500 participant fees. The committee is relying on corporate and individual donations for the rest, and some financial assistance will be available.

The United Way, the lead sponsor of the program, already has allocated $15,000 to the academy.

Participants will be announced in December, and the program will begin in January.

“We are looking for people who are very motivated as far as taking on a leadership role in the community, living and working Ventura County, and who are already somewhat involved,� said Oxnard Police Chief Harold Hurtt, a vice president of the academy.

Applications can be obtained from the United Way.