Bradford Area Alliance Celebrates Inaugural Cohort Graduation from Entrepreneurial Leadership Mission Program

Bradford Area Alliance Celebrates Inaugural Cohort Graduation from Entrepreneurial Leadership Mission Business Accelerator Program

The Bradford Area Alliance recently celebrated the graduation of its inaugural cohort from the Entrepreneurial Leadership Mission (ELM) business accelerator program on August 15. Launched in December 2023, the nine-month program aimed to help business owners and entrepreneurs overcome critical challenges and seize opportunities for growth and success.

Christian Smith, economic development specialist at the Bradford Area Alliance, commended the graduates for their commitment, resilience, creativity, and adaptability throughout the program. He noted that each participant had shown strong leadership qualities and growth in their businesses.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Pennhills Club, where the graduating business owners were honored with plaques of completion. The event was attended by Alliance Board members, ELM mentors, reactors, subject matter experts, as well as Allen Hopkins and Tom Wellington from USDA Rural Development.

During the program, the graduates engaged in a variety of activities, including a multi-day business owner renewal retreat, assessments, guest speaker sessions, mentorship opportunities, and coaching sessions. Althea Luehrsen, ELM Accelerator program director and president and CEO of August Moon Consulting LLC, expressed pride in the cohort’s growth and enthusiasm throughout the nine-month journey.

The inaugural 2024 graduating cohort included business owners such as Tonya Bisker from Copy Connection, Danielle Brinsky from Alleghany Industrial Insulation Company, Greg Gleason from Pizza Napoli’s Brick Oven Pizza Trailer and Catering Services, Sue Gleason from Pizza Napoli & Restaurant, Devon Kloss from State Farm, Jim Minard from Team Minard Productions, Jody Murphey from Julie’s Ever After, Mauri Shembeda from Bloom Organic Beauty Bar, and Petra Stana from Allegheny Store Fixtures.

Mentors in the program played a crucial role in guiding and supporting the participants. They included industry experts such as Bill Andrews, Sarah Boser, Lisa Duke, Jeff Gabel, Julie Marasco, Lisa Miller, Tom Weible, and Craig Womeldorf.

The ELM Business Accelerator program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program, highlighting the government’s support for rural entrepreneurship and economic development initiatives.