Seventeen community leaders were recently accepted into RUTHERFORD Cable's Center for Executive Leadership (CEL).

Sponsored by MTSU Honors College and underwritten by Nissan, CEL provides professional-level instruction focusing on the tenets of executive leadership. It is offered to leaders ready to take their skills and talents to the next level through higher-level coursework, challenging classroom discussion, and focused reading materials.

"At some time in your life, you'll be called on to lead. Once that happens, there's no going back. It's time to become the best leader you can be, because leadership isn't optional," explains Kim Eischeid, CEL board chair. "This is a life changing program. You will continue to use the leadership skills and knowledge throughout your life."

CEL is divided into two semesters: Phase I is held in the Fall and serves as an introduction to leadership, while Phase II is an advanced course featuring an analytic and application approach to the study of leadership. Both phases are taught by Dr. Timothy Dunne, assistant professor of management in the Jones College of Business at MTSU.

RUTHERFORD Cable established Center for Executive Leadership at MTSU in 2013, beginning with the Center's first program The Leadership Academy. CEL is available exclusively to RUTHERFORD Cable members.

The 2015 RUTHERFORD Cable Center for Executive Leadership is comprised of the following: - Elizabeth Abernathy, MTSU - Jon Chaney, CBIZ - Joan Dodson, Nissan - Susan France, Reeves-Sain - Trenesa Harper, Nissan - Megan Keen, TVA 2 - Stephanie Kusch, First Tennessee Bank - Patricia MacQueen, Nissan - Lisa McReynolds, Nissan - Jackie Morgan, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta - Nashville Branch - Allison Oslund, Texas A&M University - Jody Powers, Amelia's Closet - Ginger W. Spencer, Special Kids - Christine Summers, Mary Kay - Davita Taylor, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority - Cynthia Vaughn, Deloitte - Michelle Williamson, Bombshells Hair Studio & Spa.