Leadership Middle Tennessee has announced its Class of 2027, naming 43 emerging and established leaders from across the region to take part in a yearlong development program that aims to build cross-county relationships and deepen understanding of regional issues. The announcement, issued July 11, confirms participation from individuals representing a broad range of sectors and communities.
Local representation in the new class
Montgomery County will be represented by five participants:
- Lee Harrell — Montgomery County Government
- Karen Meisch — Austin Peay State University
- Brad Moser — Clarksville Christian School
- Julie Runyon — Montgomery County Government
- Lori Smith — Clarksville Fencing
Their selection follows a competitive application process intended to assemble a cross-section of professions, backgrounds and geographic perspectives from LMT’s 10-county service area.
Program structure and regional focus
Founded in 2000, Leadership Middle Tennessee brings together leaders from Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties. Participants in the Class of 2027 will participate in an opening retreat and monthly county sessions that combine site visits, briefings and facilitated conversations with leaders across business, government, education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and public safety.
The class will formally begin with an Opening Retreat on Aug. 20–21, 2026, at the Nelson Andrews Leadership Lodge. After the retreat, members will travel throughout Middle Tennessee for monthly sessions designed to expose them to the region’s economic strengths and shared challenges.
Why it matters for Clarksville and Montgomery County
Programs like Leadership Middle Tennessee aim to equip participants with a broader regional view and networks that can yield practical benefits for their home communities. For Clarksville and Montgomery County, the presence of five participants from local government, higher education, K–12, and private business suggests immediate access to regional conversations on workforce development, public safety, education partnerships and economic growth.
Those selected gain opportunities to:
- Engage with policymakers and sector experts across the region;
- Build relationships that can support inter-county collaboration;
- Bring lessons back to local organizations and civic initiatives.
| County | Participant | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | Lee Harrell | Montgomery County Government |
| Montgomery | Karen Meisch | Austin Peay State University |
| Montgomery | Brad Moser | Clarksville Christian School |
| Montgomery | Julie Runyon | Montgomery County Government |
| Montgomery | Lori Smith | Clarksville Fencing |
Leaders and organizations across Middle Tennessee often use the program to cultivate collaborative networks that can ease inter-jurisdictional projects, such as coordinated economic development or regional public safety initiatives. For residents curious about the program or interested in future participation, local government and nonprofit leaders typically share application timelines and program highlights through their websites and community newsletters.
As the Class of 2027 begins its work in late August, community members in Clarksville and Montgomery County will likely see these representatives engaged in regional conversations that inform local decision-making and partnership efforts over the coming year.
