The Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce graduated 12 members of the Leadership Overton Class of 2026 on Thursday, Nov. 5, during a ceremony that also served as the program's first alumni mixer, bringing graduates from across nearly three decades of Leadership Overton together with the newest class.

The Class of 2026 includes Luke Anderson, Kala Breeden, Olivia Cobble, Amy Coffey, Laurie Crawford, Austin Dodson, Jarman Hicks, Kay Holbert, Stacy Johnson, Ken Mabery, Stacy McFall, and Beth Officer.

"This class took on the most robust schedule Leadership Overton has ever offered, and they met every bit of it," said Zach Stephens, President & CEO of the Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce. "They leave the program with a working knowledge of Overton County that most people never get and with the relationships to put it to use, and the Chamber could not be prouder to call them graduates."

The Class of 2026 completed an 11-month program that met monthly from January through November, opening on Jan. 21 with a leadership styles presentation, program overview, and officer elections before moving through a State Government Day in Nashville in February; Economic Development and Manufacturing on March 18; Education and Literacy on April 15; a new Infrastructure program day on May 20 covering the county's water systems, roads, and airport; Municipal and County Government on June 17; Agriculture on July 15; Healthcare on Aug. 19; Community Organizations and Civics on Sept. 16; and Public Safety on Oct. 21. Outside of program days, class members earned individual participation points by attending local government meetings and civic events across the county.

As its class project, the Class of 2026 carried out Flags Over Overton, a series of flag raisings at community gathering places across the county timed to the nation's 250th anniversary. Twenty local sponsors made the project possible. Founder Sponsors were Mid-State Construction and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Livingston. Star Sponsors were BR Metal Products, Casa Mexicana, Casa Nueva Mexican Bar & Grill, First National Bank, Law Office of Andrea M. Ayers, LG Puckett Family Dentistry, Lickskillet Auction, Officer Law Office, State Farm Insurance, Swallows Insurance, The Clark House, and Union Bank & Trust. Stripe Sponsors were Farm Bureau Insurance, Oakley Homes, Inc., Sealcoat Rescue, Town Creek Apartments, Wellworth Bank, and Winningham Hardware.

Charlotte Clark, Lori Richards, and Amanda Strode coordinated the 2026 program, and the Chamber credits the businesses, agencies, and organizations across Overton County that hosted the class throughout the year.

Thursday's event also marked the first time the Chamber has brought Leadership Overton alumni together as a group, and the Chamber plans to make the gathering an annual event that brings every class back to welcome the newest graduates.

Applications for the Leadership Overton Class of 2027 remain open through Wednesday, Nov. 11. Applications and questions should be directed to Charlotte Clark at the Chamber office at (931) 823-6421 or charlotte@overtonco.com.

About Leadership Overton: Leadership Overton is the community leadership program of the Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce. For nearly three decades, the program has brought together people who care about Overton County and given them a closer look at how the county works through monthly program days, a class project, individual community assignments, and a year spent working alongside one another. Its graduates serve in elected office, lead nonprofits, own businesses, and carry forward community projects across the county. The Chamber also offers Youth Leadership Overton for high school students in partnership with UT Extension Overton County.

About the Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce: The Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce leads economic development, tourism, workforce development, small business support, and government advocacy for Livingston and Overton County, Tennessee. The Chamber is located at 222 East Main Street in Livingston.