ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Thursday, a group of Delta County professionals got firsthand experience interacting with local media.
Since February, individuals from a variety of industries have been meeting once a month as part of the Delta Force program.
“Participants get to go all over the county and do behind-the-scenes stuff that they wouldn’t get to do just on a normal day,” explained Mindy Wills, event coordinator for Radio Results Network (RRN). “They get to really learn about how their community works.”
Their final session was focused on media, and the morning started with a workshop. They practiced public speaking and learned about branding with RRN, and a writer from the Daily Press taught them how to write a news release.
“A lot of people listen to the radio or read the paper or watch the news on TV and don’t really feel what it’s like to take part in that, so it just gives them a little intimate view,” Wills said.
In the afternoon, they took a tour of the Radio Results Network Media Plaza. Then, they joined WZMQ 19’s Lily Simmons for one-on-one interviews in front of a TV camera.
They each answered the question, “What brought you to the Delta Force program?”
“My boss took the course, and it was such a wonderful way to connect with the community and find different ways to grow as a business that I was excited to be able to apply for it,” answered Kylee Owens of Leigh’s Garden Winery & Tasting Room.
“Since I do audits of local governments, learning more about the local community and the local governments helps me a ton in my work,” Jordan Scheidmantel of Anderson, Tackman & Company responded.
Participants’ second question to answer was, “What have you learned over the last nine months?”
Scheidmantel answered, “The more minute things that I learned were the ways that city councils operate or county boards operate, how each board can affect another’s decision, and how it all is basically just this one long stretch of people that ends up in a final decision between those who we voted into elected positions at the very top.”
Mandy Iverson, a Delta Force participant representing VanAire, said the experience has given her knowledge that she can take back to her job.
“Delta County has way more to offer than anybody could realize,” she said. “They have a lot of resources out there for small businesses.”
“I’ve learned a lot more about what goes on in Delta County than I ever really expected to know,” agreed Mickenzie Koon, representing Prins Wealth Management of Edward Jones.
Traci Pinar of Peninsula Federal Credit Union said she now has a deeper understanding of how her community operates.
“I’ve grown up and lived here my whole life, but it’s really cool to be able to go to all the different local businesses and be able to see inside their facilities, talk to the CEOs or the presidents and stuff like that,” Pinar said.
“It’s just really nice getting to learn about our community and seeing what’s out there,” said Heavenlee Royer of Great Lakes First Federal Credit Union, “all the new things that you don’t actually hear about on a day-to-day basis.”
This year’s Delta Force class will graduate at next week’s Delta County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. Afterward, they will walk away equipped with the tools to become stronger, more confident professionals in their industries and within the county.
“We all have to believe in a certain purpose, a mission statement, and having passion behind that mission statement,” said Melissa Darling of Embers Credit Union. “One thing I learned between all the leaders was that everyone that talked about their company was so enthusiastic about it and had so much passion. All of the different businesses relate to one another, and we can all help each other in our community.”
Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to sponsor an employee for next year’s Delta Force program. To learn more, click here or call the Chamber of Commerce at 906-786-2192.
