By Carol McCracken

State Senator Justin A. Alfond (D-Cumberland County) was selected to participate in the 2009 Program For Emerging Political Leaders, sponsored by the Maine State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

“I am honored to be selected to participate in this program.  This is a great opportunity to touch base with my legislative peers throughout the US, to learn from them and share our experiences,” Senator Alfond said.  “I look forward to attending and will bring the best of Maine to the Leadership Program.”  Senator Alfond is a resident of Munjoy Hill.

State legislative leaders are asked to nominate one or more members who by their actions have demonstrated those qualities associated with leadership – integrity, compassion, intelligence, vision and common sense.

According to Stephen G. Lakis, President of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, “These legislators represent the best and the brightest and are destined for future leadership roles in their state.  After being with these people for several days, you can’t help but feel proud and more confident about our unique sysem of representative democracy.  They are just that good!”

Senator Alfond is one of only fifty state legislators chosen from a nationwide pool of outstanding applicants.  The conference runs from July 12 – 15  in Charlottesville on the UVA campus.