Local leaders chosen for Weststar Leadership Program Class of 2019

For more information, contact:
Erin Chesnut, staff writer, Office of University Relations, University of Tennessee at Martin
(731) 881-7612

Al Da Silva and Ron Wells, both of Shelby County, were selected to participate in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program class of 2019.

Da Silva, director of operations for University Plastic Surgeons, serves on the board of directors for the Jackson State Community College Foundation, the Love Worth Finding Ministries Advisory Council, the Bolton High School Health Professions Advisory Council and the Bellevue Baptist Church College Education Committee. Da Silva is a graduate of the Team Trek Executive Leadership Program.

Wells, director of the Millington Center at Southwest Tennessee Community College, serves as chairman-elect on the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as immediate past president for the Tennessee Alliance for Continuing Higher Education. Wells is a Leadership Millington graduate.

Da Silva and Wells join 28 other participants from 15 counties at a series of seminars held through June that focus on topics such as economic development, public policy, education and technology.

The WestStar Leadership Program was founded at UT Martin in 1989 and is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership program. The program equips regional leaders with new skills and knowledge designed to impact the educational, economic and social development of West Tennessee. The program also provides members with a growing network of community-minded people committed to serving the area. Dr. Charley Deal serves as WestStar executive director.

For more information about the WestStar Leadership Program, contact Virginia Grimes, program coordinator, at (731) 881-7298.