UPM Employees Lead the Way in Community Involvement

In the community of Hamilton, a program dedicated to creating leadership among individuals and area companies has been in place since 1990. Leadership Hamilton, developed by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, is a nine-month course in which participants explore and engage in a range of public issues including economic development, education, criminal justice, city government, healthcare, and social services. At the end of the year, each Leadership Hamilton Class votes on and completes a community project.

Several UPM employees have participated in Leadership Hamilton, including Supply Chain Manager Tim Baxter, HR Manager Pam McAlpin, and Marketing Manager Sherri Davis.

Tim Baxter recalls his experience with Leadership Hamilton as a 2006 graduate of the program. Baxter’s Class 16 raised money to support artistic benches being displayed across the city. Because Hamilton is the county seat, the class felt the bench project was an appropriate way to illustrate Hamilton’s position in the county while simultaneously promoting the wonderful art talent found in the city.

“I certainly encourage anyone to participate [in the program],” says Baxter. “You are able to see it [the city of Hamilton] instead of just listening to stories, and you become aware of how the Chamber works closely with the programs of the city and how they benefit each other.”

Class 17, from which Pam McAlpin graduated in 2007, assisted the Hamilton School District with a levy campaign. They helped to get the district levy passed for that year, which provided funding for Hamilton public schools. “I learned a lot about the city of Hamilton by participating in this program,” notes McAlpin.

Sherri Davis’ Class 18 focused on healthcare by helping to spruce up the Bever Community Health Center, a community clinic on the east side of Hamilton, and organizing the grand opening of Primary Health Solutions’ new pediatric clinic located on the west side. These clinics provide healthcare and treatment to all patients, including those who may otherwise go without due to lack of employment or insurance. This was particularly relevant to Class 18, as the recession was in full swing at that time in 2008. Davis comments, “Through Leadership Hamilton I learned about so many great things happening in our community and ways that I can be involved to make a difference.”