ESCANABA — Delta Force is entering its 20th year and has added value to those who participate as well as to those around them. Delta Force graduates are exposed to the inner workings of our community, to the decision-making processes involved in leadership, and to the resources around them. They also develop a foundation of the principles of boards, teamwork, and the values, actions and responsibilities that go along with leadership.

Rather than attempting to identify all the reasons why Delta Force is important, let me simply share the thoughts of 2022 graduate, Rachael Strand of Northern Insurance Agency, and her impression of the program that she shared with those who attended the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on October 13 at the Island Resort and Casino.

The first and most heartfelt word that comes to mind is proud. It’s a simple word that we might use lightly, but it’s the perfect description of how I feel when I think about my community. Delta Force was an excellent idea 19 years ago by community developers and economic leaders with a dream and a vision for our future. These people have paved the path for young professionals in our community to be educated and understand that Delta County offers so much, most of which goes unknown.

The most important thing that we can do as a community is advocate for ourselves. You don’t know what you don’t know. If we don’t share our knowledge and experience to others about all that our community members have to offer, we are wasting the precious opportunity to grow and flourish our business and personal lives. When I was in school, it was so popular and common to ‘get out of this town,’ but we didn’t know why. What we need to do is make it popular to invest back in the community that has invested so much in us.

Throughout the 2022 Delta Force program, we have had the amazing opportunity to tour and hear from local businesses and organizations. The beauty within our area is that we really DO have it all. We have opportunities for people who just graduated high school and don’t have an itch to go to college. We have companies for people with associates degrees, bachelor degrees, masters degrees, doctorates, PHD’s and so on. And maybe more commonly, we have so many opportunities for skilled laborers and trades. We have a beautiful college, performing arts, sports, and waterfront. In addition to these, we also have the comfort of small-town living, knowing all the educators in our schools, nurses in our hospitals and clerks at the grocery store. Delta County is going places. We should be excited to be the feet in the dirt making this progress happen. We are all economic developers when you think of what you have to offer.

I recommend Delta Force to all young professionals. Because of Delta Force, I have such an appreciation for all of you in this room and everyone in our community for investing yourselves and your families in our area. We all carry a talent, or a skill and we are fortunate to keep that local and share with our fellow community members. If you see “delta force graduate” on a resume, you will know that person is a driven, motivated, and dedicated candidate that you want in your business. Delta Force not only educates the students, but it educates the business that we represent. Each month I come back to the office and share the knowledge and ideas that this group brings me with my colleagues. I am very grateful to be a part of this group and excited for the next 19 years and hopeful that you’ll see some of our children up on this stage. I am proud to work here, I am proud to live here, and I am proud to raise my children here.

Thanks, Rachael, for perfectly describing the experience facilitators hoped to create for Delta Force participants.

We all benefit from trained and enthusiastic leadership in our community, so please consider sending valued employees or members of public boards or commissions to the program that begins in mid-February. Contact the Commerce Center at 786-2192 for additional information about Delta Force

— — —

Vickie Micheau is executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce