ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Thursday, 21 local professionals completed their training in Delta Force, a nine-month program that gives participants a deep dive into various aspects of their community.
“They get to go and explore behind the scenes at a lot of different businesses in the area,” explained Mindy Wills, Event Coordinator for Radio Results Network (RRN). “They’re learning about leadership, they’re learning about what makes our community run, and today is Media Day!”
The group started Media Day by learning about advertising, presenting, and branding from the Daily Press and Radio Results Network. Afterward, they took a tour of the RRN studio.
At the studio, each participant sat down for a one-on-on interview with WZMQ 19’s Lily Simmons. They were asked what they’ve learned in Delta Force and what led them to apply for the program.
“I am newer to the area—about three years now—I wanted to really get to know what was going on,” said participant Seth Seastrum, an IT administrator at Bay College. “Delta Force seems to hit all of the checkboxes for that.”
“I really wanted to get an idea of other organizations in the community, what their businesses are like, and just meet local leaders as well,” said Megan Maki, Quality and Safety Manager at OSF St. Francis Hospital.
For many participants, like OSF St. Francis Hospital OB Nurse Manager Merrisa MacGregor, it was their first time speaking in front of a camera.
“I learned that making sure that you’re being as detail-oriented as possible, as well as accurate, is super important,” she said of the experience. “And not to be afraid!”
Participants said their time in Delta Force provided them with valuable connections and new insights into their community.
“I’ve met a lot of people that I’ve created new partnerships with and learned a lot of good contact information for the business that I’m in,” said Highline Community Relations Manager Bethany Leiter. “It’s definitely something that I’ll use in the future in my career.”
They encourage other professionals who have the opportunity to apply for Delta Force to take it.
“You can never stop learning, and when you think you know everything, you definitely don’t,” said Delta County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Coordinator Mark Cowman. “Just go on out there and take a chance and go to these things. There may be a day that is applicable to what you know in the past, but seven of them are going to be somthing that you know less about than you think you do. It’s just a great thing to be able to go out and experience.”
“Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you’re new to the area, I think that there’s something in it for everybody and that there’s takeaways that you’ll hold on to for the rest of your life,” said Abby Runkel, Community Relations Coordinator at Peninsula Federal Credit Union.
The group will graduate from Delta Force at the Delta County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Thursday, October 10.
For more information on Delta Force or to apply to be in next year’s class, click here.
