The Leadership Louisa Class of 2026 has officially crossed the halfway mark, an exciting milestone that reflects both the growth of the class and the momentum building within each participant’s leadership journey.
This month’s session focused on a cornerstone of effective leadership: building trust. Through thoughtful discussion and shared experiences, participants explored what trust means in both personal and professional settings. Conversations revealed a range of perspectives, some shared that trust is given freely until it is broken, while others expressed that trust must be earned over time through consistent actions rather than words alone. One common theme remained clear: trust is foundational to leadership. While it can be given easily, once broken, it is far more difficult to rebuild.
Participants openly reflected on moments where trust had been broken, how they worked to regain it, and how they intentionally build trust within their teams. These honest conversations created space for deeper understanding and reinforced the importance of integrity, accountability, and transparency in leadership.
This month’s session was hosted at the Virginia Maryland Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDEC) in beautiful Palmyra. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn in such a unique and hands-on environment. VMDEC serves as a premier training facility for electric cooperatives, providing critical education and safety training for lineworkers across the region. The class had the opportunity to tour the training center and experience firsthand the complexity, precision, and safety measures required in lineworker training—an eye-opening experience that highlighted the dedication behind keeping our communities powered.
Lunch, catered by Rhett’s Bar & Grill, was generously sponsored by Chiles Landscape Pros, and owner Wesley Chiles shared his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Wesley spoke about the role trust and transparency play in his business and how those values have shaped his company culture. What began as a simple neighborhood job, encouraged by his mother, grew into a lifelong passion. By the age of 13, he had purchased his first riding mower and was taking on larger projects. After a decade of hands-on experience, he officially launched Chiles Landscape Professionals at age 21. Today, his company proudly serves communities throughout Louisa, Lake Anna, Zion Crossroads, Mineral, and Charlottesville. His story was a powerful reminder that strong foundations – built on hard work and trust – lead to lasting success.
Following lunch, each group presented progress reports on their Community Action Projects (CAP), sharing updates on collaboration, challenges, and next steps. It was evident that teams are not only making meaningful progress, but also applying the principles of trust and teamwork discussed throughout the day.
During the class, Casey Hollins, Managing Director of Communications and Public Relations for Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) provided valuable perspective on REC’s growing customer base, the future of electricity over the next 20 years, increasing demand, and the shared responsibility of protecting and preserving our power grid. Her presentation underscored the importance of forward-thinking leadership and community awareness in sustaining critical infrastructure.
As the class moves into the final stretch of the program, participants will focus on refining their CAP projects and preparing for their final presentations in June. The foundation of trust they have built, within their teams and within themselves, will be essential as they bring their ideas to life.
The journey continues, and the best is yet to come.
