R. David Tebben
Community Leadership Academy
The Pekin Chamber of Commerce announces the 24th annual R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy. We are proud to have The Dirksen Congressional Center sponsoring the academy with grants towards registration fees.
The academy is held for 10 weeks, usually on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8am til 10am.

Academy Mission
“To identify, inform and educate existing and emerging leaders of the local community, and to motivate them towards leadership responsibilities by exposing them to the realities, opportunities and challenges of the local community.”
Academy Highlights
- Thought-provoking discussions led by Pekin community leaders.
- Informative field trip and tours.
- Networking opportunities.
About the 2022 Community Leadership Academy
- The 2022 Community Leadership Academy will be a 10-week course running from January 25 through March 31
- Sessions will usually be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from approximately 8:00-10:00 AM. (Subject to change, finalized schedule will be sent to participants in early 2022, prior to the start of the program.)
- The 2022 program will offer a hybrid format with Virtual Sessions (via Zoom) and In-Person Sessions
- Academy registration fee is $400 ($300 for Chamber Members) with partial tuition grants available. (Please see below for more info.)
- Enrollment is limited
Application Deadline: December 31, 2021
Participation Commitment
In order to meet our objectives, and for benefit of every attendee, full participation is required.
Successful candidates should look forward to completing and participating in the following during the 10-week program:
- Attend one non-profit board meeting (must be an organization with which the applicant is not already involved) and present on the organization to the group
- Attend one Chamber networking event - this can include Business After Hours, Business Before Hours, or Chamber Business Breakfasts
- Attend two government meetings (City Council, County Board)
- Attend 75% of the scheduled Academy classes/tours
- Plan to introduce yourself and a fellow Academy member to the group
R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy Committee
Todd Dugan – City of Pekin
Susan Jones – Pekin Insurance
Robb Murphy – Pekin Insurance
Linda Ledger – Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory, LLC
Earl Riley – First Pekin Savings Bank
This group of volunteers plans the annual R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy. They meet on an as-needed bases, starting in the early fall. The committee plans each of the 20 classroom sessions and the 10 field trips, as well as the graduation banquet. They also recruit the speakers and programs, and assist with the facilitation of each class. Committee members are all graduates of the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy.
Leadership Academy Sponsors
The Dirksen Congressional Center • UnityPoint Health – Pekin • Pekin Insurance • City of Pekin
Busey Bank • CEFCU • NRG Powerton • Pekin Community Bank • Reditus Laboratories • Alto Ingredients • East Court Village
OSF Healthcare • Illinois American Water • Excalibur Seasoning • Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory • Liberty Village of Pekin • Kriegsman Warehouse • Bob Lindsay Honda • SNH Investment
