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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (March 24, 2010) – Milligan College will recognize local leaders who have demonstrated servant leadership in their careers and community at the college’s annual Leaders in Christian Service program on Tuesday, April 6, at 11 a.m. in Seeger Memorial Chapel.
“The purpose of this program is to provide examples of people who are doing an outstanding job of integrating their faith with their profession,” said Milligan President Donald R. Jeanes. “We see in these individuals wonderful examples of what servant leadership is all about, and what it can look like on a daily basis in a variety of professions.”
The year’s keynote speaker will be the Rev. Lester D. Lattany, president and CEO of United Way of Washington County and pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Johnson City.
Before beginning his work with United Way in 2002, Lattany was employed by the City of Johnson City for 22 years. He filled a variety of roles in city government, including assistant to the city manager, director of community and economic development, interim assistant city manager, and finance director/chief financial officer.
In addition to his work in public service, Lattany accepted God’s call into the ministry in 1990. He began preaching at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Kingsport, where he served from 1991 to 2009. He became pastor at New Jerusalem in January of 2010.
Lattany holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tusculum College (Greeneville, Tenn.). He has served on various boards and organizations, including the Greater Kingsport Area Ministerial Alliance, United Way World, United Ways of Tennessee, Tusculum’s president’s advisory council and the board of directors for Frontier Health Inc. He has also served as vice president of the board of directors for Johnson City Federal Credit Union and as board secretary and strategic planning committee chairman for Tri-Cities Christian Schools.
The 2010 Leaders in Christian Service honorees include:
Jeff Blackburn, Johnson City, serves as a CPA at Blackburn, Childers and Steagall. He attends Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Jeff Brunson, Jonesborough, serves as a corporate leadership coach with Basic Approach. He attends Jonesborough Presbyterian Church.
Phil Carriger, Johnson City, is retired from banking. He attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City.
Keith Glover, Piney Flats, serves as the coordinator of student development and activities at Northeast State Community College. He attends CenterPointe Fellowship.
Bill and Kathy Linebarger, Johnson City, serve as an endodontist and community volunteer. They attend First Christian Church in Johnson City.
Russell Nelson, Johnson City, is a business development manager with Energy Systems Group. He attends First Christian Church in Johnson City.
Tom Parker, Bristol, serves as principal of Holston View Elementary. He attends First Baptist Church in Bristol, Va.
Fernando De Sousa Pereira, Jonesborough, serves as an ESL interpreter in Johnson City Schools. He attends Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church.
For more information, contact the Institute for Servant Leadership at Milligan College at 423.461.8316.