ATLANTA – State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) has the distinct honor of being chosen as one of 40 members of the 2012 class of Henry Toll Fellows, which is the highest recognition of state leaders within The Council of State Governments (CSG).
“I am humbled to take part in such a distinguished program, and look forward to the knowledge and skill set that I will gain from this diverse and unique training opportunity,” said Rep. Drenner. “Serving as a Henry Toll Fellow will give me a greater ability to understand and serve the people of Dekalb County as well as the state of Georgia”
CSG provides state officials with skills to help them lead more efficiently and effectively. CSG’s Toll Fellowship Program does this by providing an intensive training program and allowing them opportunities to network with other leaders throughout the country. The program features a six day training session in which state officials have the opportunity to gain knowledge in building new relationships, networking, personal assessment, media training and much more.
In addition to being chosen to participate in the Henry Toll Fellowship program, Representative Drenner was recently selected as one of only 32 Georgians who will participate in the 2012 class of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL). While the Toll Fellowship Program focuses on developing leadership skills, the IGEL training program aims to increase Georgia’s state leaders’ understanding of the state’s environmental challenges. IGEL accomplishes this goal by bringing together leaders from a multitude of backgrounds who are important stakeholders in sustaining and improving the health of Georgia’s environmental resources.
“Being selected to take part in both of these distinguished programs is a great honor,” added Representative Drenner. “I am looking forward to the Toll Fellowship Program and the lessons it will provide that will help me become a better leader and representative for my constituents, and also the environmental knowledge that I will gain from IGEL, which will allow me to better serve on the Natural Resources & Environment Committee.”
CSG is a nonpartisan organization that brings state leaders together to share capitol ideas, providing them the chance to learn valuable lessons from each other. It was founded during the Great Depression and for more than 75 years, it has worked to provide state leaders with the tools and education they need to succeed. The members of CSG include every elected and appointed state and territorial official in the United States. Named for CSG founder Henry Wolcott Toll, CSG created the Toll Fellowship Program as way to help the nation’s top state government officials from all three branches.
For more information about CSG and its Toll Fellowship Program please visit www.csg.org or contact Krista Rinehart at 859-244-8249.
Representative Karla Drenner represents the citizens of District 86, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2000, and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, Natural Resources & Environment, and Rules committees. She also serves on the Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation.
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