Savannah Standard

Students participating in the Student Leadership Program (SLP) had the chance to interact with two prominent leaders from Savannah this week. Bert Brantley, President and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and Jay Melder, Savannah’s City Manager, joined a special session at Gulfstream Aerospace.

The SLP is a community-focused initiative aimed at preparing students for life beyond school. It offers insights into various career paths through industry tours, leadership workshops, and community service projects. The program aims to develop future talent to meet the workforce needs of the region.

In their discussion with students, Brantley and Melder stressed the importance of public service and the influence of elected officials. They also discussed opportunities available through entrepreneurship. The leaders highlighted how collaboration between the Chamber and the City of Savannah contributes to economic growth and community success.

Brantley and Melder encouraged students to consider their future roles in shaping Savannah’s business and government sectors by sharing insights on leadership, civic engagement, and career development. "The Chamber is proud to support programs like SLP that cultivate the next generation of leaders and strengthen our community’s workforce," they stated.