(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Panelists talk about developing leadership skills during the Leadership Wheeling Alumni Association’s Aspiring Leaders Summit on Thursday at Wheeling University’s Troy Theater. From left are moderator Ronna-Renee Jackson of LaunchPoint Leadership; David Klick of WesBanco; Lisa Olson of Genius Empowered Teams; Joelle Moray of Joelle Moray NCC, LPC; and Mike Howard of Beyond Marketing/John Maxwell Leadership.

WHEELING – The Leadership Wheeling Alumni Association held its first Aspiring Leaders Summit on Thursday at Wheeling University’s Troy Theater.

The gathering featured speakers such as Jessica Moore, assistant vice president of foundation and community relations for WVU Medicine’s North Region, and Tony Martinelli, chief executive officer of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial and Wetzel County hospitals.

There were also two panel discussions. The General Leadership panelists included Lisa Olson of Genius Empowered Teams; David Klick of WesBanco; Mike Howard of Beyond Marketing/John Maxwell Leadership; and Joelle Moray of Joelle Moray NCC, LPC.

The Entrepreneurship panelists included Dan Milleson of Waterfront Hall; Peyton Bourgeois of Two Times Clothing; Sarah Lydick of Sarah’s On Main; and Jayla Robinson of Charmed Realty.

Ronna-Renee Jackson of LaunchPoint Leadership served as moderator for both panel discussions.

Shane Pamphilis, president of the Leadership Wheeling Alumni Association, said he attended a Leadership Wheeling program two years ago. He noted his leadership class decided to bring back the alumni group that had been active in the 1990s.

“We thought it was something that could make an impact here locally,” he said. “Over the last two years we’ve had some luncheons and happy hours to get to know each other and flaunt our various strengths. But our ultimate goal was to do something bigger and that goal is what led us here today.”

Pamphilis said he hoped the summit would help participants with their own personal goals such as developing their leadership skills or career path.

Pamphilis, a resident of Wheeling, is a financial advisor for Hazlett, Burt and Watson.

“If you’re someone who hasn’t gone through the Leadership Wheeling program, I strongly encourage it,” he said. “It’s been a great opportunity for me to network and meet people here in the community that I otherwise don’t know if I would have had the opportunity to meet.”

Leadership Wheeling, a professional development program, lasts for 16 weeks and has been run by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce since 1987.

To learn more about joining the Leadership Wheeling program, Pamphilis said people can call the chamber at 304-233-2575.